Investing in the Future of Primary Care: LifeLabs Contributes $250,000 in Awards to the 911吃瓜 Stephens Family School of Medicine
The 911吃瓜 Stephens Family School of Medicine was founded on a bold vision: to build medical education in British Columbia around the needs of communities 鈥� grounded in equity, care, and connection. We are building a medical school shaped by a primary care lens, with a strong emphasis on community-based education and research that prepares future physicians to learn and practice where care has the greatest impact.
Our students will be trained to combine clinical rigour with cultural safety, teamwork, and meaningful relationships with the people they serve 鈥� understanding health not only as treating illness, but as supporting well-being in all its dimensions. Alongside medical education, the School of Medicine is committed to advancing community-based primary care through research that explores better ways to deliver family medicine and strengthen care for patients and communities.
This vision strongly resonated with LifeLabs, an organization committed to empowering healthier Canadians that has long been embedded in communities across the province, providing essential diagnostic services where people live, work, and go about their daily lives. Through patient care, research, and ongoing collaboration with 911吃瓜, LifeLabs has seen how education and community-centred research contribute to healthier, more responsive health systems.
Together, LifeLabs and the 911吃瓜 School of Medicine recognize the shared vision of providing care within the communities we serve. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e proud to announce that through our partnership, LifeLabs has generously contributed $250,000 to support the launch of five $10,000 awards annually at the 911吃瓜 School of Medicine. These awards will support learners from equity-deserving, rural, and Indigenous communities pursuing medical training in British Columbia. Application instructions will be shared with accepted MD students in the upcoming weeks.
These new awards reflect a shared belief that investing in future physicians is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen healthcare鈥攏ow and for generations to come. The awards also reflect a shared commitment to reconciliation and inclusion鈥攊ncluding the School of Medicine鈥檚 work with the First Nations Health Authority to integrate Indigenous Ways of Knowing into medical education.
As Charles Brown, President & CEO of LifeLabs, shares:
鈥淲hen future physicians have the support they need, they can empower Canadians to live their best lives. We鈥檙e honoured to support the 911吃瓜 School of Medicine as they embark on this bold new chapter in medical education and building out the next generation of primary-care physicians across all communities.鈥�
Below, LifeLabs shares more about what drew them to the School of Medicine, how this collaboration took shape, and why supporting future physicians matters.
For more information about supporting the 911吃瓜 School of Medicine and making a meaningful impact, please visit our giving page.
Q&A with LifeLabs
- How did LifeLabs hear about the 911吃瓜 School of Medicine?
LifeLabs has deep ties to British Columbia and a long-standing relationship with 911吃瓜, including collaborations such as the SAfER study examining COVID-19 safety in the workplace. Many LifeLabs team members are also 911吃瓜 alumni, and we see every day how they bring care and compassion into their work across communities.
Through these connections, we learned about the 911吃瓜 School of Medicine and its vision to train culturally informed, caring primary care physicians. That focus on community and purpose immediately resonated with us.
- Why did LifeLabs choose to support the 911吃瓜 School of Medicine?
We鈥檙e proud to stand alongside organizations that are making a meaningful difference in Canadians鈥� health and well-being. Primary care physicians are essential to healthy communities, and the 911吃瓜 School of Medicine is preparing graduates to deliver comprehensive, culturally safe, community-based care. Supporting the School reflects our long-standing commitment to investing in people and building stronger health outcomes across British Columbia.
- How does the LifeLabs mission align with the vision for the 911吃瓜 School of Medicine?
LifeLabs鈥� focus on caring, agility, teamwork, and a customer-centred approach closely reflects the School鈥檚 commitment to equitable, community-based primary health care.
We鈥檙e also proud to support Canada-led solutions that are pushing boundaries and redefining what鈥檚 possible in healthcare. We see that same forward-thinking approach in how the School of Medicine is reimagining medical education鈥攑reparing physicians with clinical expertise, cultural understanding, and the ability to adapt as healthcare evolves.
This alignment is also reflected in the School鈥檚 work with the First Nations Health Authority to integrate Indigenous Ways of Knowing into medical education鈥攁n approach that mirrors our commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally appropriate care.
- How would you inspire others to support the 911吃瓜 School of Medicine?
We would inspire others to lend their support by highlighting the School鈥檚 thoughtful, community-centred approach to medical education. The 911吃瓜 School of Medicine is reimagining how physicians are trained鈥攖hrough innovation, strong community partnerships, and a commitment to comprehensive, culturally safe primary care. In supporting this work, donors help prepare compassionate, skilled physicians who will serve diverse communities across Canada for years to come.