From the moment husband and wife Drs. Robert Winston and Dorothy Uhlman – medical oncologists from Minnesota – decided to explore new career opportunities, it seems like they were destined to join the BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority.

While flipping through a program for a major cancer conference, Dr. Winston randomly selected a name from the delegate list to call to inquire about recruitment. It so happens his finger landed on the name of a BC Cancer Agency medical leader – and that was the beginning of a recruitment process that brought two seasoned Minnesota physicians to B.C.

“It must have been fate,” recalls Dr. Uhlman jokingly about how she and her husband first connected with the BC Cancer Agency at a time when the Agency was actively recruiting medical staff for its new cancer centre in Abbotsford.

Drs. Winston and Uhlman, who are currently settling into their new home in the Fraser Valley, will join the medical team at the BC Cancer Agency’s new Abbotsford Centre, which is integrated within the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre. With over 15 years of experience each in treating adult cancer patients, they are two of four medical oncologists hired for the new centre.

“It’s common knowledge that there’s a shortage of medical oncologists in Canada, so we are very fortunate to have recruited such high-caliber oncologists. They’ll make a world of difference for our patients,” says Dr. Frances Wong, Chief Physician, BC Cancer Agency’s Abbotsford and Fraser Valley Centres. “”We’re familiar with the brain drain to the United States, so it’s refreshing to see physicians from south of the border come here.”

“This demonstrates the attraction of working for a new state-of-the-art cancer centre, and speaks to the BC Cancer Agency’s excellent reputation for delivering patient care,” adds Dr. Wong.

“Being able to help shape a new cancer centre for a reputable organization was very appealing for the both of us,” explain Drs. Winston and Ulhman. Other factors influencing their decision include Canada’s health care system and the lifestyle offered in the Fraser Valley.

“We wanted to practice in a setting that provided more equitable access for patients,” says Dr. Winston, who completed his fellowship at the University of Minnesota, where he met his future wife, before working at Minnesota’s North Memorial Medical Centre as a general oncologist.

“It’s beautiful in the Fraser Valley. We love being so close to the water and the mountains,” says Dr. Ulhman, who has four daughters with Dr. Winston. “And we’ve both been impressed by our colleagues. We can’t wait to start working at the new Abbotsford Centre.”

The BC Cancer Agency’s Abbotsford Centre is the fifth of the regional centres that are at the heart of the Agency’s provincial cancer control network. The new centre will provide a full range of cancer control services, including, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, clinical trials, and supportive care, such as patient and family counselling, nutritional assessment, pain and symptom management and palliative care.

The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.

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For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Jinny Wu
Communications Specialist
BC Cancer Agency
Ph: 604.877.6272
jwu2@bccancer.bc.ca