By Surbhi Gogia,
The healthcare crisis in the South of Fraser, particularly in Surrey, has been diagnosed based on clear symptoms: chronic shortages of nurses, insufficient hospital beds, overcrowded emergency rooms, and delays in timely, life-saving interventions. However, the government’s response has been quick fixes and superficial policies, ignoring the root causes. Dr. Randeep Gill, an Emergency physician at Surrey Memorial Hospital, has stepped out of direct patient care to identify these underlying issues.
“Chronic underfunding is at the heart of the problem,” says Dr. Gill. “There’s a growing population and stagnant healthcare investment in our region.” His mission is to provide lasting solutions and steer the system toward recovery.
Surrey’s rapidly growing and diverse population places demands on healthcare infrastructure that outpace those in Vancouver. “While Vancouver residents have access to six times the number of hospitals compared to Surrey residents, per capita funding lags behind annually,” Dr. Gill explains. “This results in a shortfall of almost half a billion dollars every year. When compounded over decades, it’s clear why we’re facing this crisis.”
Dr. Gill is determined to ensure residents of Surrey and the surrounding region, from the Pattullo Bridge to Hope, no longer receive second-class treatment. The area, home to a large South Asian population at higher risk for heart attacks and strokes, has lacked the resources to address these leading causes of death effectively.
Dr. Gill believes healthcare is a human right. “Early in my career, I witnessed how access to care and outcomes varied by postal code, which inspired my commitment to equitable, quality care for all,” he says.
Dr. Gill’s advocacy has already delivered significant results. In 2023, his efforts secured a cardiac catheterization lab to improve patient outcomes and rallied the community to demand action. This prompted the provincial government to announce 30 priority initiatives for Surrey Memorial Hospital. His leadership also led to the approval of a second hospital tower, addressing the region’s growing healthcare needs.
Dr. Gill’s advocacy is deeply personal. “When I was nine, my father suffered a catastrophic accident that left him quadriplegic,” he recalls. “Watching healthcare professionals care for him with such dedication changed my life forever and reshaped my perception of medicine.”
After training at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and working at Columbia University in New York, Dr. Gill began his career with optimism. However, like many colleagues, he grew frustrated with a system that left him battling burnout and struggling with structures meant to support care. A turning point came when he worked in an under-resourced area and saw firsthand how systemic inequalities denied people access to basic care. This experience cemented his unwavering commitment to advocacy and equity in healthcare.
Recognizing the significant disparities in care, particularly in Surrey, Dr. Gill courageously stepped beyond his role as a physician to address the systemic issues affecting residents. Despite potential backlash, he used his platform to shed light on the crumbling healthcare infrastructure in one of British Columbia’s fastest-growing regions.
He boldly and respectfully advocated to the Ministry of Health on behalf of Surrey residents, securing a commitment to expand critical infrastructure. His efforts resulted in the approval of a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab and a much-needed second tower at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
This victory is not only a testament to Dr. Gill’s determination but also a milestone for healthcare equity in Surrey. His ability to stand as a voice for the underserved, while fostering collaboration with policymakers, reflects his unwavering commitment to building a healthcare system that serves all with dignity and fairness.
Dr. Gill’s contributions extend beyond advocacy. During his residency in New Jersey, he founded the Youth Education and Empowerment Support (YEES) program, which provides mentorship, education, and opportunities for young people in gang-affected areas. Upon returning to BC, he continued this mission as the medical director of the Youth Vine Clinic, addressing the physical and mental health challenges faced by vulnerable youth.
As a director of the Surrey Hospital Foundation for the past 10 years, Dr. Gill has been instrumental in securing substantial funding for transformative initiatives, including youth mental health services and the much-anticipated cardiac catheterization lab. Recently, he joined the board of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, driven by an unwavering commitment to providing compassionate care, ensuring that both patients and their families find strength, support, and dignity during life’s most challenging moments.
Dr. Gill has long been a beacon of leadership in his community, and his tireless efforts are poised to transform healthcare in groundbreaking ways. Through his advocacy and unifying vision, he has brought healthcare workers and the community together, highlighting the glaring inequalities that demand change.
