Dr. Phil Muir has served a rural, underserved, largely First Nation community through more than 40 years of encouraging health and wellness.

Dr. Muir has been the anchor of medical practice in the northwest B.C. community of Hazelton, helping to attract and retain a team of physicians to provide a full range of services, and to develop a new hospital. He has been hospital administrator, clinic administrator, chief of staff and head of clinic, often doubling up on these jobs.

The Hazelton medical group was one of the first B.C. clinics to train family practice residents in a rural area, leading to the development of the Northern Medical Program at University of Northern BC.

Dr. Muir spearheaded an addictions and rehabilitation program, was instrumental in the development of an assisted living facility, and heads up the maintenance of a community garden on the hospital grounds. He provided leadership in advocating for and then helping lead the operation of a children’s rehabilitation home where discharged patients received follow-up, and helped create Skeena Bakery, a sheltered employment bakery.

Dr. Muir served on the board of the local ice arena, and with his church invited a Vietnamese refugee family to settle in Hazelton. Now retired, he continues to serve the Hazelton community.