Dr Stuart Bax | Candidate for Doctors of BC President-Elect 2026
Real influence | Safer practice | Visible progress.
Being heard isn't the same as having influence.
Doctors need more than another promise to listen. They need an Association willing to ask difficult questions, stand behind its members, and show what has changed.
From CanScreen to strengthening the Representative Assembly and challenging decisions through Audit & Finance, I've tried to lead by example.
Real influence. Meaningful action.
Judge me by what I do, not simply what I say.
Why I'm Standing
I'm standing for President-Elect because physicians deserve more than consultation. They deserve an Association prepared to stand up for them, challenge decisions when necessary, and demonstrate what its advocacy has achieved.
I believe in challenging the status quo — and I've acted on it.
At Doctors of BC, I've brought forward a Governance Charter to strengthen the Representative Assembly's role and Board’s accountability to members. The RA supported that initiative following debate and challenge.
As Chair of the Audit & Finance Committee, I've pressed for better information, sound decision-making and clear accountability for how members' resources are used.
Constructive challenge isn't disloyalty. It's part of effective leadership.
I believe in action, not just advocacy.
I helped build CanScreen to address an obvious gap in cancer screening for patients without a family doctor. The pilot delivered thousands of screening-related assessments and identified numerous cancers.
It also exposed how difficult it can be to sustain effective innovations within our healthcare system.
For me, advocacy means being prepared to question those barriers and pursue practical solutions, not simply describe the problem.
An Association that stands behind its members.
Whether you're a specialist or family physician, working in a hospital, clinic or rural community, you should know your Association will speak up when your ability to practise safely, independently and sustainably is threatened.
We won't always agree on every issue. But every physician deserves to be represented and taken seriously.
An Association that answers to its members.
Transparency isn't a buzzword to me. It's how I work.
Members should understand what their Association is advocating for, the decisions being made on their behalf, and what progress has — or hasn't — been achieved.
I don't claim to have all the answers. But I believe in listening, asking difficult questions, including of myself, and following through.
Leadership should be measured by what we do, not simply what we say. Judge me by that standard.
Dr Stuart Bax
How I Approach Leadership
Listen beyond the familiar voices.
Our profession is diverse. Good representation means seeking out colleagues who are not always part of the usual conversations, understanding their circumstances and ensuring their perspectives influence our priorities.
Make engagement meaningful.
Consultation should have a purpose. When members raise concerns, we should be clear about what we're trying to achieve, who is responsible for taking matters forward and how progress will be assessed.
Collaborate without losing independence.
Constructive relationships are essential to effective advocacy. But collaboration should never prevent us from questioning decisions, defending clinical judgment or challenging approaches that aren't working.
Be accountable for progress.
Members deserve to understand what their Association is working towards, what has been achieved and where challenges remain. We should be willing to acknowledge when an approach needs to change.
The Issues I Want To Bring Forward
I believe our Association should speak clearly for safe and sustainable working conditions, fair remuneration, access to the resources needed to care for patients and practical support for colleagues facing difficult or unsafe circumstances.
Members should also understand what their Association is pursuing, how their concerns influence its priorities and what progress has - or has not - been made.
A Final Word
I don't expect every physician to agree with me, and I certainly don't claim to have all the answers. But I believe you should be able to expect your Association's leadership to listen, ask difficult questions, speak up when it matters and follow through.
I would ask you to judge me by that same standard—not simply by what I say during an election, but by the work I have done, how I respond to challenge and what I do next.
If you share my ambition for a Doctors of BC where physicians have real influence, advocacy leads to action and members can see the difference, I would be grateful for your support.
Whether we agree on everything or not, I welcome hearing from you.
Your Voice Comes First.
Read my full two-page President-Elect candidate statement
Also standing for Doctors of BC Board Director-at-Large
Ask the difficult questions | Strengthen the decisions | Follow through
For those of you who know me through the RA or my work as Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, you'll know that I try to practise what I preach. I believe in doing the preparation, asking difficult questions, listening to different perspectives and challenging assumptions—including my own.
My work on financial oversight and bringing forward the RA governance charter reflects that approach. I believe a strong Board should welcome constructive challenge, respect the role of the RA and be accountable for its decisions.
I don't expect everyone to agree with me, nor do I claim to get everything right. But I believe leadership should be judged by how we act, how we treat others and whether we follow through. That's the approach I would bring to the Board.
Your voice comes first. And it should help shape what happens next.
Read my full two-page candidate statement
I'd Like to Hear From You
What isn't working in your practice or community? Where do you think Doctors of BC could be more effective? What do you believe deserves greater attention?
I particularly welcome perspectives that aren't always heard in our usual discussions.
Your voice comes first. And it should help shape what happens next.
Read my full two-page candidate statement
Get in touch: contact@drbax.com
President-Elect forum: November 2, 2026.
Voting: November 3-18, 2026.
For voting instructions see Doctors of BC elections.
*This is my personal candidate website. The views expressed here are my own and do not constitute an official position, communication or endorsement by Doctors of BC.