As stated earlier this week, a new Order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) – the Health Professionals COVID-19 Vaccination Status Information and Preventive Measures Order – requires COTBC to record the COVID-19 vaccination status of all its registrants by March 31, 2022.
View COTBC’s update: Next Steps for Complying with Public Health Order Requiring Recording of Registrants’ Vaccination Status
Read COTBC’s FAQs on the new Order
Visit COTBC’s COVID-19 Resources
On February 9, 2022, Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that she will issue a new public health order requiring regulated health professionals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by March 24, 2022.
We understand the new order is still being finalized by the PHO. More information will be provided once the order is released by the PHO and the College assesses any specific actions required by the College and registrants.
BC Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Bonnie Henry announced yesterday (February 9, 2022) that she will issue a public health order next week requiring full COVID-19 vaccination for all regulated health professionals, including occupational therapists.
The new order will broaden a previous PHO order originally dated October 14, 2021, which mandated COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers working in acute, long-term, and community care health settings. The order can be found on the COVID page.
Dr. Henry indicated that the new order requires all regulated health professionals to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine by March 24, 2022. A second dose is required 28-35 days thereafter.
The College has not yet been provided with the proposed order and does not have specific information about what role is to be played by the College and other health regulatory colleges. After the order is released, the College will review it, consult with the Ministry of Health and other BC health regulators, and provide registrants with additional information.
Under the Public Health Act, the Provincial Health Officer has the authority to issue public health orders, including vaccination mandates, to protect the public.
We welcome two new Board members, Tysen LeBlond and Philipp Santiago, whose terms began on February 1, 2022. They will join the other Board members including appointed public representatives Mary O’Callaghan, Gayle Nye and Ian Wanke, and elected registrants Debbie Ruggiero, Carin Plischke and Jeff Boniface.
A big thank you to the outgoing Board members Catherine Wu and Joy Parsons, elected registrants who completed their terms on January 31, 2022.
Catherine Wu served on the registration committee and then moved to participate on the inquiry committee. Joy participated on the governance panel, the registration committee and served as Chair of the Board for two years. We know board members balance many roles in their day-to-day lives and we appreciate their dedicated service to the College’s public protection work. We thank you and wish all the best to Catherine and Joy.
Learn more about our members’ backgrounds on our Board page.
November 30 marked the first anniversary of the report on Indigenous-specific racism in BC’s health-care system In Plain Sight, an independent review led by Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond.
On that day, Turpel-Lafond released a statement highlighting some areas of progress made to date. She urged that these developments be used as motivation to address recommendations that have seen little to no movement. Occupational therapists are encouraged to read the original In Plain Sight report as well as her recent statement.
COTBC remains committed to taking action to address the what the report describes as widespread systemic racism against Indigenous people, including stereotyping, discrimination and prejudice. For example, following the ceremony and signing of the Joint Statement of Apology and Commitments to Action, College staff and/or Board members have:
The College will continue to keep you informed of progress on our commitment in upcoming newsletters and other communications. Contact us at info@cotbc.org if you have any questions or comments.
Thank you to the four occupational therapists who allowed their names to stand for election to the Board of Directors. We also thank all the occupational therapists who voted in the recent election.
We welcome Jennifer Glasgow back to the Board of Directors, along with two new Board members, Tysen LeBlond and Philipp Santiago. Their terms begin on February 1, 2022. They will join the other Board members including appointed public representatives Mary O’Callaghan, Gayle Nye and Ian Wanke, and elected registrants Debbie Ruggiero, Carin Plischke and Jeff Boniface.
Congratulations Jennifer, Tysen and Philipp.
A big thank you to the outgoing Board members Catherine Wu and Joy Parsons, elected registrants who complete their terms on January 31, 2022. Catherine Wu served on the registration committee and then moved to participate on the inquiry committee. Joy participated on the governance panel, the registration committee and served as Chair of the Board for two years. We know board members balance many roles in their day-to-day lives and we appreciate their dedicated service to the College’s public protection work. We thank you and wish all the best to Catherine and Joy.
