Our team is a small, dynamic and collaborative group who supports the membership with openness, respect and a welcoming attitude.
They work to implement the vision and direction set by the board of directors, who are all practicing family doctors. Using their collective expertise, knowledge, and skills, they advocate for you, so that you can provide high quality, patient-centred health care.
Alexa Pitoulis
Executive Director
Alexa believes family doctors play a critical, nodal role in our healthcare system. She is looking forward to working with the team, physicians, partners, and stakeholders on the evolution of primary care in British Columbia.
Alexa is a creative strategist with over 20 years of experience leading teams in public, private and non-profit spheres. A change leader with an MBA in Sustainable Systems, Alexa is skilled at moving the whole working of an organization, and its effects on systems, in ways that illuminate potential and build capacity.
Have a question for Alexa? Email her at
Dr. Renee Fernandez
Chief Medical Officer
Renee provides a physician lens on all aspects of BC Family Doctors’ work. As a thought leader and innovator, she leads our physician compensation and negotiations work. She works to connect and build the physician community.
Renee has been a family doctor and physician leader in BC for more than 15 years. She is passionate about promoting courageous and purpose-driven leadership. She believes in the power of relationships to achieve meaningful change.
Have a question for Renee? Email her at
Penelope Hutchison
Chief Strategy Officer
Penelope leads advocacy, policy and strategic communications work for BC Family Doctors. A ‘policy wonk’ at heart, she likes to dig into issues at the heart of family medicine and lead needed change. She works to grow the organization’s influence and impact.
With more than 25 years of expertise, she has held various senior leadership roles within the BC health system, along with running her own consulting firm. She blends her expertise in the health system with a Masters in Health Administration with her communications savvy from a Bachelor of Journalism. As a social justice champion, she believes everyone deserves equitable access to high quality, patient-centered healthcare.
Have a question for Penelope? Email her at
Alexandra Luongo
Operations & Administration Coordinator
Alex administrates the day-to-day operations of BC Family Doctors, supporting human resources, financial and general administration. Working closely with the Executive Director, she provides key administrative support for the team, board members and member physicians. With over 15 years of administrative experience in a variety of for-profit and non-profit organizations, Alex is looking forward to utilizing her organization skills to implement and streamline processes.
Holding a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management, Alex is a Certified Professional in Human Resources with over 5 years of experience in leading organizations in this area. An avid believer in continued professional development, Alex is a lifelong learner who is eager and ready to do what it takes to help advocate for BC Family Doctors and their patients.
Have a question for Alex? Email her at
Rachel Cunningham
Senior Manager, Physician Compensation
Rachel is your economics and billing advocate, working to support our physician members with billing inquiries and education, fee code changes, and process improvements.
Working in healthcare philanthropy for the past 20 years, she joined BC Family Doctors with a Bachelor of Science and a background in community relations and stakeholder engagement. She believes that open communication and a shared vision of the common good gives us the tools to find our greatest potential, together.
Have a question for Rachel? Email her at
Rachel Garrick
Communications Manager
Rachel develops communications resources, campaigns and strategies to raise awareness of issues facing family doctors. Her responsibilities include member communications and engagement, media relations, content creation and advocacy work. With over 20 years of experience in diverse sectors, including government, non-profit, labour and advertising, Rachel brings a variety of expertise to her role.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from Simon Fraser University and a Journalism Diploma from Langara College. Rachel has further training in graphic design, website development, typography, strategic communications planning and digital photography. She is passionate about ensuring that every British Columbian has access to a family doctor, recognizing the foundational role they play in whole patient care.
Have a question for Rachel? Email her at
Grace Atim-Olal
Physician Compensation Coordinator
Grace facilitates the implementation and improvement of initiatives related to billing support, physician payment models, and educational tools to support family doctors.
With a strong commitment to fostering collaborative relationships, and a background in process and project management, Grace uses her expertise to contribute to change within healthcare systems. She believes in the importance of collective effort, empowerment, and authentic adaptation to advance sustainable and inclusive healthcare access for all.
Have a question for Grace? Email her at