A smoky summer afternoon. Falling ash. Approaching wildfires. And an order to evacuate.

Logan Lake family physician, Dr. Modupeolaoluwa (Dr. Mo) Olayemi-Akingbade, recalls the uncertainty and fear she felt that August night in 2021 when she and her family, along with the rest of the town’s residents, were told to flee from oncoming wildfires.

“I couldn’t even drive or think straight when we were leaving,” she says. “But I knew I had to get to Merritt and contact the Division for support.”

The Thompson Region Division of Family Practice is Dr. Mo’s regional organization for family doctors, nurse practitioners and midwives. The Division and Interior Health created an emergency evacuation plan for Dr. Mo to relocate to Merritt, including accommodation for her family and a place for her to continue seeing patients. Dr. Mo evacuated on a Thursday, set up an office in Merritt’s hospital on Friday, and was seeing patients again by Monday.

“Being able to work was critical. I didn’t just sit and think about whether or not we’d have a home when we returned,” she says. “I saw most of my patients virtually to make sure they had their medications, referrals, and test reviews done. Many of my connections were surprised I could still work, and we talked about where everyone had ended up and if everyone was doing OK.”

Even though some of her appointments had to be rescheduled, being able to continue seeing patients reduced the backlog that would have resulted upon her return to the clinic.

Dr. Mo’s commitment to her patients and to the continuity of health care was critical to the clinic reopening, and to working through what needed to be done upon her return to Logan Lake eight days after the evacuation.

“I felt very supported at such a stressful time,” she says.

Dr. Mo’s composure, teamwork, and willingness to reach out for support shows how displaced family physicians and their patients can continue to access necessary resources and maintain their connections in a time of crisis.