Feature: Dr. Fikre Germa

This month, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Fikre Germa, a member of the Department of Hospital Based Medicine, to chat about his experiences as a physician, global health advocate, and leader in medical education. It is my privilege to share, as this month’s Chief of Staff Feature, some of Dr. Germa’s insights, passion, and wealth of knowledge.

Dr. Germa describes his journey as one inspired by curiosity, a passion for learning, and a desire to use his experiences to benefit others. He was born in Ethiopia and spent extended amounts of time in Uganda and Nigeria before arriving in Canada to complete residency in Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Germa then worked across the spectrum of Canadian healthcare in British Columbia, Yellowknife, and Nova Scotia, before arriving at BCHS as an emergency physician in 2007. He has since transitioned his practice and now serves as a hospitalist, with a focus in both acute and post-acute hospital medicine.

Over the course of his career, informed by the diversity of his experiences, Dr. Germa has developed a deep passion for global health. In his words, “we live in a global village. We are interconnected by being human beings who live on one planet. As physicians, we have a leadership role in the provision of not only excellent, up-to-date, evidence based care, but also in advocacy to bridge understanding, equity and social development. Global health is a hopeful narrative which demonstrates that, despite the complexity of the problems we face, we can get good minds to work together through ethics and intellect.”

He notes that by asking the important questions of “how can we connect ideas?” and “how can we interact so that we have a respectful partnership?” we begin to develop a framework – across cultures and disciplines – to break down barriers, and to improve systems in health care and beyond.

To this end, Dr. Germa has engaged in a number of global health initiatives in his years as an emergency physician and hospitalist. Inspired by the need to address the gap of knowledge and skill in emergency medicine across Africa, he collaborated with others to implement a robust program of postgraduate training for emergency physicians in Ethiopia. This has resulted in the development of a network of experts who are now themselves training others, and expanding capacity for emergency medicine throughout Africa.

When asked what individuals can do to contribute to the advancement of global health, Dr. Germa feels that tourism and cultural curiosity can be leveraged for the purposes of expanding awareness, education and health care. With many physicians, medical learners, and other healthcare professionals wanting to travel, gain new experiences, and see other cultures, Dr. Germa suggests that this can be a valuable opportunity for individuals to not only be tourists, but to also engage from a helpful mindset: “This is the type of engagement that I think can result in positive action. Driven from a space of love, compassion and adventure, people can participate in both tourism and reflective knowledge to meet people, have inclusive conversations, and ultimately better education, representation and global care.”

In addition to his interest in global health, Dr. Germa has also developed a profound passion for medical education. He is frequently seen teaching residents, medical students, and members of the interdisciplinary care team, while rounding on the inpatient units, and explains that he “has a passion for people, a passion for fairness, and a passion for equity. I strive to promote a holistic approach, where people work collaboratively to create a sense of understanding and kinship”.

A key factor underlying his joy for teaching is his belief in the importance of mentors and role models: “Mentors are also really important – they inspire, they guide, they show, and they provide wisdom to your journey.” He spoke of two key role models who played a significant role in his life. The first is his father, and the second is Dr. Haile T. Debras, who Dr. Germa met during his residency at the University of British Colombia, and who has gone on to become a world-renowned surgeon, medical leader, and global health expert. 

Dr. Germa shares that he “was privileged as an immigrant to come here and succeed. Many people built me into the person that I am, and because of that, I am grateful to have gained a sense of inspiration and opportunity to problem solve.” He is well-known amongst the staff and patients at BCHS for his kindness and holistic, compassionate approach to care. He explains, “cultural humility comes from understanding. The value of compassion is not only important on a global scale to participate in inclusive, meaningful dialogue, but also locally when addressing the needs of our patient population.”

“We do the best we can. We open doors for diversity, engagement and opportunity. We find ways to create more space for dialogue and conversation. These are not always easy steps, but they are necessary steps forward to have a meaningful life.”

On behalf of BCHS, we recognize Dr. Germa’s passion, and thank him for his efforts to build a more inclusive, collaborative, and compassionate healthcare system for the patients and communities we serve.