Hometown: Smithers, B.C.
Program: Northern Medical Program
Year in Program: 2
What inspired you to pursue your program?
During high school and university, I developed a strong passion for biology, anatomy and physiology. After completing my degree, I worked in health and safety at a remote gold mine, where I realized my desire for a more direct role in patient care. The emphasis on lifelong learning, the variety of tasks, and the opportunity to continually challenge myself were key factors that drew me to the field of medicine.
Why did you choose UBC?
I have been fortunate to live in B.C. for most of my life and plan to practice here in the future. With its stunning mountains, lakes, and forests, B.C. provides the perfect backdrop for my favourite activities, such as trail running, downhill skiing and paddleboarding. I chose UBC’s distributed medical program because it offers the opportunity to study at a top-ranked medical school while staying close to my family and friends.
Tell me about your research.
I’m currently engaged in several projects. One is with the Global Surgery Lab, where I’m conducting a systematic review to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate surgical task-shifting and task-sharing curricula. Additionally, I’m collaborating with the Papapalooza team to investigate the landscape of cervical cancer screening in B.C. and assess the impact of the self-testing kits – introduced earlier this year – on screening in underserved communities.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
This year, I’m completing my third-year clerkship at the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, where my family resides, after I spent my first two years of medical school in Prince George. Living together with my family again has been wonderful, and I believe their support will help me navigate the challenges and successes of clerkship. As an independent learner, I’m excited to work directly with patients to further develop my patient care skills, with a focus on fostering compassion and inclusivity.