Getting to Know Our Working Group Members: Dr. Jack Jay

Our working group consists of MSA members that are representative of the departments at BH. They meet monthly to get updates from Doctors of BC, connect with Site Admin, review projects, check in with our strategic priorities, and also hear how things are going in each department. Sign up for the Dr’s Lounge Digest.

This month we chatted with Jack Jay, an outgoing working group member to ask him about his experience. Most members in the working group will serve for 1-3 years before passing the torch to someone else in their department.

Getting to know Dr. Jack Jay an Outgoing Member of the MSA Working Group

What does it mean to you to represent your department in the MSA Working Group?

The working group works when there is representation from all departments and the hospitalist is the largest in the hospital. The hospitalist WG member always has an opportunity to speak at the department meetings to share anything we need to be aware of that’s happening with the MSA or the hospital.

Debbie Basco will be taking over for Dr. Linney Lin and me as the next Hospitalist Working Group Rep.

What’s your favourite MSA activity you’ve been to or been a part of?

My favourite activity was the grouse grind club. I am still trying to promote that now. We managed to go up once this summer.

Another event that I really liked was the grand rounds at noon. It was a nice way to have a break, to learn something new, have lunch and connect with colleagues.

What do you enjoy the most about being a Hospitalist?

We are primary care in the hospital and we take care of patients in different areas. It’s challenging, and there’s a lot of variety. I like the ability to talk with my colleagues to get input on my patients. There is a lot of collegiality and we work collaboratively.

What’s going on in your department lately?

We have gotten some new hires recently and we’re up to 30 members now. Most recently Dr. Doyle, Dr. Edmenston retired.

And what is your department looking forward to in the next few months?

We are looking forward to getting to know new members and see how they fit in. They are all seasoned locums so I know they will get along with everyone.

What are you most looking forward to with the BH Redevelopment?

It will be a slow metamorphosis. I’m looking forward to working in a new hospital and hoping I haven’t retired by that time.

Tell us something your colleagues may not know about you?

I’ve run 12 marathons in the past! I stopped for a few years when I ruptured my achilles and I’ve recently started running again. My next race will be a half-marathon next year and hopefully a marathon the year after that.

 What is your favourite way to decompress?

I like to get some exercise, go do the grind or go for a run, or put on my AirPods in and listen to a podcast.

What does wellness mean to you?

Wellness in the workplace means being engaged, being connected, and feeling a sense of belonging to a community. Feeling like your work matters and you have the same energy and thoughts as your colleagues.

Wellness in personal life means having strong relationships with spouse and kids. Giving back to community because giving provides wellness to life. Additionally, exercise, sleep and having a good diet.

Podcast Recommendations

Chasing Life by Sanjay Gupta – wellness, purpose and burnout

Be Smart by Jared Dillian – Contrarian thinking and Investment Ideas

Hidden Brain – Weird stuff about how your brain works

The Curbsiders – An Internal Medicine Podcast for the Internist

Work Life with Adam Grant – How to make work more tolerable