Dr. Beverly Brilz named recipient of the 2020 RhPAP Rhapsody Physician Award
Following a review of the outstanding candidates nominated this year, the RhPAP Board of Directors has endorsed Dr. Beverly Brilz of Wainwright as the 2020 recipient of the Rhapsody Physician Award. The Rhapsody Physician Award recognizes the contributions of rural physicians, especially those unsung heroes, who provide Alberta rural communities with outstanding patient care, and who make notable contributions to both medical practice and their communities.
Dr. Brilz was selected based on the extent of both of her medical and community contributions, as well as the numerous testimonials received reflecting her dedication to her patients, her health-care team, and to the broader community.
“It is clear from the letters that accompanied the nomination for this award that Dr. Brilz is—to quote one community member—‘an amazing and integral part of the rural community,’ says Bernard C. Anderson, RhPAP Executive Director. “She has helped enhance the quality of health care in Wainwright through the care she offers her patients and the work she does behind the scenes within the health system.”
Dr. Brilz has demonstrated great leadership during her 38 years of practice in Wainwright, serving as Physician Lead and Board Chair of the local Primary Care Network, a former chief of staff for the Wainwright Health Centre, a champion of the MORE OB Program, and a key supporter of the transition of the health centre into a rural stroke centre with one of the first portable CT machines in the world.
Wainwright’s school playgrounds and parks, art project initiatives and festivals, nurses’ banquet and firefighters’ ball, football program, and theatre, are just a few of the projects that have benefitted from Dr. Brilz’s extensive fundraising, committee, and volunteer efforts.
“Wainwright will be forever grateful for [Dr. Brilz] and her contributions towards making our town a great place to live,” explained one community member. “[T]he community is undeniably a better place for Dr. Brilz having been such an important part of it.”
About the Rhapsody Awards
The RhPAP Rhapsody Awards continue a long tradition of celebrating rural Alberta’s health-care heroes and rural communities. Founded in 2002, the Rhapsody Awards are intended to recognize the individuals, teams, and communities that make significant civic and health-care contributions within rural Alberta. Nominations are evaluated by an Awards Selection Committee composed of a practising or recently retired rural Alberta-based physician, a member of an active rural community health professional attraction and retention committee, and one rural Alberta health professional, all from different zones. The selection committee provides recommendations to the RhPAP Board of Directors, who are responsible for endorsing the final recipients.
What’s next?
RhPAP celebrates Rhapsody Award recipients with a recognition event in their home community. Celebrations include the Rhapsody Award presentation, a donation by RhPAP to a local non-profit organization on behalf of the recipient, and the airing of a video profiling the recipient, or recipients, and their contributions to the health and well-being of their community. Details on the recognition event will be released as they become available.
Multimedia
- More about the RhPAP Rhapsody Award program
- Profiles of previous Rhapsody Physician Award recipients