The Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc)—an organization dedicated to improving health care in rural BC—recently awarded Dr. Charles Helm a lifetime achievement award.
Helm has spent 30 years here in Tumbler Ridge, working not only as a doctor, (and, for most of that time as Chief of Medical Staff), but also as a community champion.
“Whether it is a medication initiative, preserving dinosaur tracks, hosting a medical conference, or working on a Geoparks initiative, Dr. Helm is enthusiastic about it all,” writes RCCbc on their website announcing the honour.
“Dr. Helm, originally from South Africa, may not have intended to study paleontology on the side, but the chance discovery of Cretaceous dinosaur trackways near Tumbler Ridge by his nine-year-old son and a friend in 2000, led to him becoming the founding member of the Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation. Through this volunteer work, he led the drive for the successful designation of the Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark.”
And while Helm might frequently be celebrated for his work as a historian, author, amateur (and soon to be professional) paleontologist and outdoor enthusiast, he is also fondly remembered by many as one of the kindest, most compassionate physicians they have ever had.
Along with pharmacist Charissa Tonnessen, Helm was the physician lead for the South Peace Shared Care Polypharmacy Reduction Initiative, an initiative to prevent adverse health effects for those prescribed multiple medications in 2021, and organized the 3D (Drugs, Dinos and Dinners) Medical Conference on this theme annually in Tumbler Ridge since 2017, with few years off for Covid.
This is far from his first award. He has received awards for postgraduate teaching from the University of British Columbia Department of Family Practice, the Walter Smith Visionary Award in recognition of contribution to tourism innovation in Northern British Columbia, the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award (2016), the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2002), the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), and the Rural Family Physician of the Year Award (2016) from the British Columbia College of Family Physicians.
Fanni De Maio, Coordinator for the South Peace Emerging Division of Family Practice nominated Helm for this award. “Dr. Helm’s dedication to rural medicine and healthcare transformation is truly remarkable and has made a significant impact from the local to international levels,” says De Maio. “Since his semi-retirement in 2018, he has worked to establish the South Peace Emerging Division of Family Practice and currently serves as its Co-Chair. As a physician leader for the emerging division, he has been instrumental in bringing the Primary Care Network initiative to the region which is currently in the service planning phase.”
Helm, says De Maio, is also very gracious with his time and effort. “Dr. Helm has been a great mentor to the next generation of physicians and continues to train and inspire those around him. I am grateful for his initiative and support in all projects that the South Peace Emerging Division undertakes. Without his strong leadership, the South Peace Emerging Division would not be where it is today – on its way to achieving full division status. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award.”
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.