Back to School 2023
Meet the Students

I have always enjoyed working with kids and their families. Combine this with my love for medicine, and pediatrics is the perfect fit. The Community Impact stream offers a full range of exposure to general pediatrics with opportunities ranging from small northern and rural communities to tertiary level care at BC Children’s Hospital. The resident group is incredibly supportive, and I am fortunate to have found lifelong friendships through this program. Last but definitely not least, the program directors are truly dedicated to resident learning, allowing residents to pursue opportunities that are advantageous to their training, and are fierce advocates for us all. I’m grateful to be a part of this phenomenal program.

B.C. has always been home for me and I hope to one day practice in this province. It is a privilege to be able to give back to this incredible community. Nothing beats the mountain views, proximity to both beaches and snow-capped mountains and the diverse cuisine. Having had the opportunity to explore more of the province during residency training has only reaffirmed that B.C. will always be home!

I recently travelled to Haida Gwaii for an outreach trip and fell in love with the culture, views, and beautiful people. I can’t wait to visit again and explore the island further.

A personal health experience inspired me to pursue speech-language pathology at UBC. I was incredibly inspired by all of the healthcare professionals who worked with me and I developed a profound gratitude for healthcare and medical research. I chose to pursue this program because I wanted to help clients overcome barriers to communication. Everyone has the right to participate and be included in communication with others, and I am eager to facilitate clients’ access to the world around them as a future speech-language pathologist.

UBC’s School of Audiology and Speech Sciences offers the chance to learn from multidisciplinary faculty. The program provides a strong academic foundation in combination with clinical placements across B.C. to develop knowledge, skills and experience. There are also opportunities to pursue cutting-edge research that will contribute new knowledge to the field and improve the lives of clients.

B.C. has beautiful natural landscapes, and I love hiking and trail running. I would love to visit the old growth forest in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park in the traditional territories of the Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations.

I have always wanted to be part of the solution to health inequities, especially for marginalized and underserved populations. This was my motivation to attain a medical degree and subsequently pursue a public health residency. I thrive in advocacy and leadership endeavours and I’m glad to have found my niche in public health.

UBC has become one of my many homes. I have lived in Vancouver for seven years and have been engaged with UBC in various capacities, as a researcher, guest lecturer and most recently as a medical student. I love the beautiful campus and the university’s focus on constant improvement and innovation. I have also witnessed first-hand the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s commitment to improving access and equity for marginalized folks. These are among the many reasons I chose to stay at UBC for my residency program. It’s also a bonus that I met my partner while they were a student here!

I am involved in many research endeavors, but there are two I am particularly passionate about. The first is a quantitative and qualitative exploration of the experiences of Black medical students in Canada, in collaboration with the Black Medical Students’ Association of Canada. For the second, I’m investigating the impact of HIV stigma on the lives of Im/migrant women in the Greater Vancouver Area with the Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity.

Haida Gwaii! From what I have read and seen it is among the most beautiful spots in B.C. While I’m not experienced in outdoor activities, I do appreciate nature, so the incredible biodiversity on the islands would be amazing to see. Finally, I love learning about history and culture, and the area has been home to the Haida Nation since time immemorial.

I have always loved science, especially learning about the human body throughout my educational career. More importantly, as an Indigenous doctor, I hope to provide culturally safe healthcare. Many Indigenous people share the same experiences with the healthcare system, where they feel that they are not taken seriously or not listened to. Indigenous people deserve culturally safe healthcare, and one of the most effective ways to achieve this is by having more Indigenous doctors who understand the same lived experiences as their Indigenous patients.

Growing up in Vancouver, studying at UBC had always been a dream of mine. The medical program is one of the most renowned in Canada, meaning I would receive excellent training while still being able to remain in the same city as my family and friends. I was lucky enough to do my undergraduate degree here on UBC’s Vancouver campus, and am excited to spend the next four years here in an inclusive and diverse institution.

I would definitely go to Haida Gwaii. From what I have seen in pictures and heard from friends, it has gorgeous landscapes, wildlife and rich culture from the Haida Nation. As well, I enjoy hiking and I would appreciate the serene atmosphere that comes with being surrounded by nature.

When I was younger, I discovered a passion for linguistics and learning languages because of its power to connect people from around the world. I didn’t know of any career that could combine this with my passion for science and healthcare until I learned about audiology in a linguistics class at UBC.

For many of us, hearing is an integral part of the way we communicate with others and participate in our lives. Being able to restore some quality of life and provide impactful solutions to those experiencing hearing loss was ultimately the driving force behind why I chose to pursue audiology.

UBC is one of the few schools in Canada to offer a graduate program in audiology. The School of Audiology and Speech Sciences is well-known for the high quality of audiologists it produces as well as the research it publishes. Between that, the beautiful campus, and given that I am from here, it was a no-brainer for me! Being close to home also allows me to stay close to my wonderful friends and family. I am incredibly grateful to have the support of my loved ones who have all had a hand in getting me here, and I am thankful for their continued support as I pursue the rest of my studies.

It’s been on my bucket list for a while, but I’d really like to go to Tofino and try my hand at surfing. I don’t think I’d do particularly well—those who know me are painfully aware that I am terribly clumsy—but I think I’d have a lot of fun trying it anyway. Plus, I really like the beach.

I wanted a career where I could see the impact that I was having on others every day. I also see healthcare changing in a positive manner in the way that it is delivered, and I want to be a part of working toward that change.

I chose the Southern Medical Program at UBC because it is a smaller site that allows me to connect closely with my preceptors and peers. I also really enjoy the outdoorsy living that Kelowna has to offer!

I want to spend more time hiking, skiing and exploring the Kootenays. This area has such quaint small towns and beautiful scenery. I haven’t explored it yet as I grew up on Vancouver Island.

The diversity seen in family medicine challenges me to develop strong competencies in all facets of care to become a well-rounded physician. I have found joy and excitement in all steps of my training, from the Vancouver Stroke Program to the nuanced operations of orthopedics. Family medicine inspires me to always challenge myself, and to learn and grow. Having the ability to contribute to the care of any person regardless of their life stage or circumstances is my dream, and family medicine is the specialty that best captures that ambition for me.

Growing up in British Columbia gave me and my family everything. After attending medical school in Saskatchewan, I am excited to return back to my home province to complete my training, start my career and give back to the community that shaped my ambitions. UBC’s incredible family medicine program perfectly fits my goal of becoming a true generalist, aspiring to one day work in a rural or small regional center.

I have been to many places in B.C. throughout my life, but have yet to explore Vancouver Island! I’d love to visit Tofino specifically for the sandy beaches, year-round surfing and amazing trails.

I enjoy the variety of topics covered in the Medical Laboratory Science program including microscopy, pathology, histology, hematology, toxicology and clinical chemistry. Learning how some of the courses combine aspects of the life sciences while relating it to our health was fascinating. I also enjoyed the opportunity to learn and apply hands-on lab techniques. The program is also quite tight-knit which allows you to get to know your fellow classmates and professors.

When I was applying to university, I knew I wanted to do something in science. I felt that being at UBC, with so many different programs to explore, would give me the opportunity to find something I enjoyed while also being near my family.

I would travel somewhere in the Interior surrounded by nature and lots of mountains. I think it would be a calming experience.

Genetic counselling is the perfect intersection of science, education and psychological support. I knew I never wanted the kind of job where you do the same thing every day, and working in genetics requires a dedication to life-long learning to keep up with the rapid changes in the field. Each patient brings a unique case, either genetically or through their individual needs, and figuring out how to tailor a session to best support them is an exciting challenge.

UBC was my dream program. Not only is British Columbia an incredible place to live, but the university contributes cutting-edge research to the field. The program’s commitment to patient-centered care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and equity, diversity, and inclusion has created a space where I feel confident developing a professional identity.

I’d go back to the Canadian Rocky Mountains for more camping, hiking and swimming!

I didn’t know much about anesthesiology before medical school. However, I was hooked after my third-year rotation. The job is incredibly satisfying — from helping patients manage acute pain, to interpreting complex physiology to directly giving medications. I still have a lot to learn over the next five years, but I’m so excited about the journey ahead.

I definitely took British Columbia for granted growing up on the North Shore. However, after attending Queen’s University for my undergraduate and master’s degrees, coming back to Vancouver for medical school was a breath of fresh air, and I knew I wanted to stay for residency. UBC places a large emphasis on wellness, and I have felt well-supported by my preceptors, co-residents and administrative team. Plus, it goes without saying that the mountain and ocean combination is unparalleled.

Since I am doing my first year of residency in Victoria, my goal is to become at least a beginner-level surfer by the end of the year. Therefore, I would love to travel to Tofino on a semi-regular basis (time permitting). I’m also looking forward to checking out the backcountry slopes down Mount Cain in the winter, though I may also make a couple impromptu trips to Whistler at some point if I’m feeling homesick.

I fell in love with the capacity of public health to make vast differences in people’s daily lives when I volunteered as a physician in Tanzania 20 years ago. The memory of that stayed with me and when I was offered the opportunity to study public health here in B.C., I knew that it was destiny. Public health deals with health at the population and community levels and affects every single aspect of people’s lives, including water, food, shelter, climate, disease, education, parenting, safety and policy. Public health is the conduit by which the individual becomes universal and vice versa.

UBC’s Public Health and Preventive Medicine program provides the opportunity to learn both within academic and research institutions, as well as at distributed sites throughout the province. After all, you can’t practice public health without going into the communities where healthcare happens. We also have the opportunity to do a Master of Public Health at UBC as part of our program. This allows us to interact with other specialties and learn from diverse expertise to better inform the practice of public health, which in my mind is always stronger when varied viewpoints are incorporated.

My research is wide-ranging and encompasses many aspects of individual and community-level health, such as infectious disease, public health management and understanding the health impacts of climate change. A large part of my work focuses on synthesizing the latest research to help inform public health recommendations that will ultimately have a direct impact on people’s daily lives.

Any place to see the clearest possible views of the aurora borealis!

I’ve wanted to be a family doctor for as long as I can remember. However, growing up on-reserve, there were no doctors in my family or my community. When I met an Indigenous doctor for the first time, she took me under her wing and connected me to the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada. It was here that I heard of UBC’s Indigenous Family Medicine program from alumni. It sounded like an incredible program that would support me and train me to work within Indigenous communities.

UBC’s Indigenous Family Medicine program is the only program like it across Turtle Island. You’re trained within Indigenous communities, often with co-residents or preceptors that are Indigenous or strong allies, and you have additional academic days that are specifically Elder-led and rooted in culture. Being from the Mohawk Nation, I knew that I wanted to train within rural and remote Indigenous communities to prepare for my future practice. My plan has always been to help my people and I’m happy to be in a program that will help train me for this.

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many Indigenous communities throughout B.C. due to the nature of my program. This has allowed me to see many communities, all of which have been extremely welcoming and supportive. Other places in B.C. that I’d love to go to are Ahousat, Bella Coola and Bella Bella. Being able to see the variety of practices within different communities has allowed me to discover what kind of practice will be a good fit for me.

I was inspired to pursue medicine because I saw my parents working in health care as a nurse and a paramedic. I heard stories of the positive impact they were making in our community and how they felt it was a privilege to support sick and vulnerable community members. I completed my nursing degree as a first step, which only solidified my goal of wanting to become a doctor.

I’m from British Columbia and I chose UBC because it gave me the opportunity to study medicine in Prince George: the community where I have learned, worked and now call home. UBC has allowed me this amazing opportunity to learn at a world-leading institution, but in a small-town environment.

I would like to travel back to Haida Gwaii. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel there this past May with the Healthcare Travelling Roadshow and I really enjoyed the communities, culture and climate. I would bring my family along to share the experience with them and to explore local shops and restaurants, spend time in nature, and visit sites including the Pesuta Shipwreck and the “Balance Rock.”

Rural family medicine stood out to me for a number of reasons. The scope of practice is so broad and varied that I knew I would never be bored and I could develop a broad skill set that will allow me to practice all over Canada. Family medicine in general is extremely flexible and portable. I was also excited to work in small communities where I could build relationships with my supervisors, allied health professionals, and patients.

UBC was my top choice because there were so many amazing rural training sites to choose from and opportunities to see multiple parts of the province throughout my residency. Growing up in Northern Ontario fostered my interest in outdoor recreation that made me keen to live out west and enjoy the skiing, hiking and all the natural beauty this province offers.

There are so many places I haven’t been yet and would love to visit, but the most unique spot I’d like to visit is Haida Gwaii. One of my co-residents is doing a rural residency placement there and having a phenomenal time.

I have always been fascinated by biomedical research, especially for cancer therapy. As someone from a family that has experienced several cancer diagnoses, I decided early on that I wanted to dedicate my career to researching and developing better cancer treatments that offer improved outcomes with fewer harmful side effects. After receiving my BSc in biology with a minor in biochemistry at UBC, pursuing my PhD in interdisciplinary oncology was the next logical step in building my career as a cancer therapeutics scientist.

B.C. is my home and I chose to go to UBC because it offers both excellent research programs and the opportunity to stay close to my family and friends. As UBC is affiliated with many clinical sites and research institutes across the province, I have access to an abundance of resources and expertise to support my research and my professional development. Vancouver is also a beautiful city, and I enjoy living in a bike-friendly city that is close to the mountains for hiking, skiing and rock climbing.

Under the supervision of Dr. Kevin Hay at the Terry Fox Laboratory at BC Cancer, I work on developing novel immunotherapies for blood cancers. In particular, I focus on making next-generation engineered T-cells – a type of white blood cell central to our immune systems – to target a deadly cancer called multiple myeloma.

The West Coast Trail is on my bucket list! I’m hoping to do this trail once I finish my PhD. I think it would be a fantastic way to mark the culmination and granting of my PhD. I look forward to taking in all the beautiful sights and conquering one of Canada’s most famous and toughest trails.

I have always had a passion for science, creativity and problem-solving. Occupational therapy allows me to combine these interests in a way that supports other people’s well-being. Working closely with patients to find innovative ways to improve their quality of life is incredibly rewarding, and I love the diversity of the patient populations occupational therapists can engage with.

I chose UBC’s Master of Occupational Therapy program because of the emphasis on hands-on clinical education and the opportunity to live and study in this beautiful province. Being in the Northern cohort means I can be surrounded by nature every day. I can find a lake for a study break swim or go for a hike between classes. The small class sizes and connection with local faculty also appealed to my personal learning style and desire to work in a rural community.

I’d travel around the Northern Gulf Islands on a sailboat. It’s a stunning part of the province and one of my favourite places to be out on the water with seemingly endless islands, coves, and beaches to explore.

The modern physician is not only a clinician, but also a teacher, researcher and public health advocate. This is what led me to pursue medicine – I struggle to think of any other careers where you can seek to create positive change at both the population and individual level. Medicine is a journey of lifelong learning, problem-solving and advocacy. It’s the art of applying science to an individual, each of whom is the product of their own unique social, cultural, economic and psychological influences. I think that’s one of the coolest things in the world.

UBC was always my dream school, and the Island Medical Program was always my dream program. I remember walking by the Medical Sciences Building as an undergrad student and seeing the incoming class every year with their colourful new backpacks and hoping that would be me one day. I was born and raised in Victoria, so I feel immensely grateful to have the opportunity to learn and study medicine in the place I call home. I hope to practice medicine here in the future and give back to the community that has given me so much.

I would choose Haida Gwaii due to its breathtaking natural beauty and wildlife, but also for its richness in Indigenous culture. I’m drawn there because it’s an opportunity to connect with nature, and to learn and immerse myself in the history, art and traditions of the Haida people that have been passed down through generations.

I chose physiotherapy because of my personal experience with injury, desire to work in healthcare and passion for exercise and movement. As a varsity track athlete, I experienced many injuries that took me away from the sport I loved, which had devastating effects on my physical and mental health. Fortunately, I worked with physiotherapists who demonstrated the tremendous positive impact they can have on an individual’s life. This inspired me to want to help others overcome injury and dysfunction so that they can return to the activities they love, whether that be sport, recreation or simply activities of daily living.

UBC has one of the top-ranked physiotherapy programs in the country and the campus is beautiful. Growing up in this province, I have been spoiled by the beautiful nature B.C. has to offer. My love for outdoor activities such as running, biking and hiking made staying here an easy choice. I love being surrounded by the mountains, as well as the many beautiful beaches and peaceful trails of Pacific Spirit Park.

Tofino or anywhere on Vancouver Island. I love being close to the ocean, as well as the slower-paced, peaceful lifestyle the island has to offer. Additionally, one of the things on my bucket list is to hike the West Coast Trail and stop at all the beautiful beaches along the way.

I’ve been fascinated with pregnancy and babies since I was a child and eventually found my way to doula work. During that time, I worked in homes, birth centers and hospitals with some incredible midwives whose expertise and demeanour awed me. Eventually I knew that was the role I wanted to have. As I learned more about the provision of perinatal care, I was also becoming more involved in the queer community and seeing members of my community struggling to access safe, affirming and equitable reproductive care. I wanted to be able to provide that care.

There were many factors that played into my decision to choose UBC for my midwifery education, but what really solidified it was the program’s staff and faculty. When researching different schools, the student services manager at UBC gave me excellent advice and helped me get here. While writing papers in my gender studies classes, I was finding research by midwives involved with UBC’s midwifery program that inspired me. I didn’t apply anywhere else – I knew this was where I wanted to be.

I’ve been fortunate enough to work as a research assistant with UBC’s Birth Place Lab. Under the leadership of Dr. Saraswathi Vedam, the lab is currently analyzing the data from the RESPCCT Study, which looks at how people experience care during pregnancy and childbirth across Canada. Specifically, I am examining the experiences within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and of people who have experienced incarceration. I have also been supporting the “Birth Includes Us” study, which looks at queer and trans peoples’ experiences accessing reproductive healthcare in the U.S. and Canada.

I’m dying to travel to Hornby Island. My friends describe it as idyllic, with warmer waters than you’ll find anywhere else in the Gulf Islands. I don’t know if that’s fully true, but I’m the kind of person who likes to find things out for herself. Hopefully, I’ll make my way there after next summer’s interprofessional placement.

I was interested in the MD/PhD program because I wished to integrate a career in both clinical medicine and scientific discovery. Pursuing medicine allows me to make an immediate positive impact in the day-to-day lives of patients. Pursuing scientific research allows me to push the boundaries of knowledge and potentially change the way we treat diseases in the future. In the future, I aspire to conduct research that is driven by the patients I see in clinic, and hopefully improve health outcomes for them.

I was attracted to the cutting-edge research that is being conducted at UBC and BC Cancer. In addition, I remember that the upper-year MD/PhD students were so friendly and welcoming when I was an applicant interviewing at UBC. Finally, having grown up in Toronto and having previously studied in Montreal, this was a great way to experience life in another beautiful Canadian city – one surrounded by mountains and the ocean.

My PhD thesis focused on epigenetic changes in synovial sarcoma — an aggressive cancer that lacks targeted treatment and thus has a poor survival rate. Epigenetic changes are alterations to genetic material that do not alter the genetic code itself, but can change how genes are expressed; these genes can then drive cancer growth. I hope that my research will one day guide the use of emerging epigenetic therapeutic agents to treat this deadly disease.

Whistler! For the past several winters, I have been heading up to Whistler almost every week for the unbelievable skiing. In the summers, I have done a lot of hiking and camping in the region. Last year, I even got to do a month-long rotation in rural family medicine in Whistler. Altogether, it holds a special and magical place in my heart. I am always looking for more reasons to spend time there.