DR. Parmjit Sohal of Surrey has been named the 2014 Family Physician of the Year for B.C. by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) as the recipient of the Reg L. Perkin Award. The awards will be presented as part of the CFPC’s annual Family Medicine Forum on Tuesday, November 11, which this year will be held in Quebec City, Quebec. The award recipients are nominated by their peers, colleagues, and the CFPC’s 10 provincial chapters for outstanding patient care, significant contributions to the health and well-being of their local community, and commitment to family medicine teaching and research.
“It is particularly rewarding to recognize this year’s Family Physicians of the Year as part of the CFPC’s 60th anniversary celebrations,” said CFPC President, Dr. Kathy Lawrence. “These amazing family physicians contribute to our quality health care system through dedication to their patients, students and residents, research, and their day-to-day practices. I commend them on their success.”
“It is an honour to present the Reg L. Perkin Award to this year’s award recipients who exemplify what it means to be a Canadian family doctor—providing exceptional care to patients and contributing to the health and well-being of their communities,” said Dr. Francine Lemire, CFPC Executive Director and CEO. “The CFPC is proud to acknowledge their respective accomplishments in many of the unique facets of family medicine.”
The CFPC has acknowledged outstanding Canadian family physicians with the Family Physician of the Year award since 1972. In 1996, the award was named in honour of Dr. Reg L. Perkin, who served as a CFPC Executive Director from 1985 to 1996. The awards are presented as part of Family Doctor Week in Canada, which this year runs from November 10-15.
“I am honoured that my passion for family medicine, teaching, clinical research, and community health has been recognized by this award. It is a privilege to be a family physician who can provide comprehensive and compassionate care to the whole family. I am proud to be a family physician in Canada,” said Dr. Sohal.
His citation reads:
For his patients, students, and colleagues, Dr. Parmjit Sohal has set the standard as a dedicated family doctor and a caring member of his community.
After earning a PhD from the University of Saskatchewan and a medical degree from the University of Alberta, Dr. Sohal completed his family medicine residency at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1997. That same year, he received certification in family medicine from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and became a Fellow in 2008. In addition, he obtained a Certificate in Travel Health from the International Society of
Travel Medicine.
Since 1997, Dr. Sohal has been a family physician in Surrey, BC. With a passion for teaching, he is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at UBC, Preceptor for undergraduate medical students and residents, and a teacher at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Sohal has particular expertise in the prevention and management of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, with a focus on the South Asian community. His research in these areas has been widely published and abstract presentations have been made nationally and internationally. The Canadian Diabetes Association acknowledged Dr. Sohal’s work by presenting him with the National Volunteer of the Year Award and Outstanding Health Professional Award.
For nine years, Dr. Sohal participated as a board member of the British Columbia College of Family Physicians (BCCFP). He also chaired the BCCFP’s Annual Scientific Assembly, and served on several CFPC committees.
When not at work, Dr. Sohal likes to play sports and travel the world. He enjoys spending time with his wife of 27 years, Neena; daughter, Tanveer, who just obtained her Masters in Public Health; and son, Tanraj, a national chess champion.