Helping to improve health and wellness for Indigenous populations and communities is a key priority for UBC and the Faculty of Medicine.
The Indigenous MD admissions program, Indigenous Family Medicine Residency Program, and certificate programs in Indigenous Public Health are just some of the ways the Faculty of Medicine is helping to increase the number, and retention of, Indigenous health professionals in B.C. and across Canada in response to the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.
Our medical school is now training more Indigenous doctors than ever before, with more than 130 Indigenous medical student graduates since 2006 and a growing number completing residency training in communities across the province.
An increasing number of Indigenous learners are also training in our Health Professions programs, including Midwifery, Genetic Counseling, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Medical Laboratory Science.
Through their work in communities in B.C. and across the country, faculty, staff and learners are helping to build a health care system that is more accessible, inclusive, representative and equitable.
Response
- UBC Faculty of Medicine Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action
- Watch the webcast
Initiatives
- First Nations Health Authority Chair in Cancer and Wellness at UBC
- Indigenous MD admissions program
- Physical Therapy, Indigenous Health
- Midwifery Program, Indigenous Students
- Indigenous Family Medicine Residency Program
- Graduate Certificate or Certificate in Indigenous Public Health
- Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health
- Indigenous Initiatives Speakers Series
Stories
UBC Faculty of Medicine 2022 Commemorative Event for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | Orange Shirt Day
This important event took place virtually on the morning of Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
Dr. Nadine Caron awarded Order of B.C. for 2022
Dr. Caron is a member of the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation and a surgical oncologist in northern B.C.
Celebrating Indigenous strength in medicine
This week, 10 new Indigenous doctors celebrated their graduation from medical school.
Namaste Marsden appointed as inaugural Director, Indigenous Engagement
She will provide vision, strategic leadership and diplomacy in advancing further development and implementation of the Faculty's Response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Derek Thompson, Thlaapkiituup, appointed Indigenous Initiatives Advisor, Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
He will provide leadership and support across the Faculty to help create and sustain learning and work environments based on standards of cultural safety and humility, and that will address Indigenous specific racism and discrimination.
Dr. Nadine Caron appointed Special Advisor on Indigenous Health
Dr. Caron will provide vision, leadership and diplomacy in advancing both the Faculty’s and UBC Health's strategic focus on promoting an Indigenous lens on collaborative health education and research.
Bridging gaps in community health care
UBC medical resident Willow Thickson is helping to create a safer space for Indigenous patients in BC.
With gratitude, we acknowledge that the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine and its distributed programs, which include four university academic campuses, are located on traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of Indigenous peoples around the province.
We respectfully acknowledge that the UBC Vancouver-Point Grey academic campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and UBC operations in Vancouver more generally are also on the territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh).
We respectfully acknowledge that the UBC Okanagan academic campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.
We respectfully acknowledge that the University of Northern BC Prince George campus is located on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, who are part of the Dakelh (Carrier) First Nations.
We acknowledge and respect the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples on whose traditional territories the University of Victoria is located and the Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.