Celebrating Resident Appreciation Week
With more than one thousand UBC resident doctors training around the province in regional, rural and remote communities to become family physicians and specialists, each play an important role in our healthcare system.
Training on the frontlines alongside UBC clinical faculty, resident doctors provide essential health services to British Columbians of all ages with care and compassion.
They also contribute their skills and knowledge beyond the clinic.
“Resident doctors provide countless hours of teaching and guidance to medical students, conduct research and take on leadership roles to advance quality patient care,” says Dr. Ravi Sidhu, Associate Dean of Postgraduate Medical Education. “I truly appreciate all of their hard work and the impactful contributions they make to the healthcare of communities across the province.”
As part of Resident Appreciation Week, we met with a few UBC resident doctors to learn more about their experience as trainees by asking them the following question: “What do you like best about residency training?”
Gurmeet Kaur Sohi
Geriatric Medicine, Vancouver
“I value the unique opportunity to provide patient care in a diversity of settings, ranging from managing acute issues in tertiary hospitals to helping older adults live well in the community. Given how disproportionately affected older adults have been by the pandemic, it’s been inspiring to see our geriatricians not only innovate in providing clinical care but also take on leadership and advocacy roles to guide pandemic response. My training experience has been enriched by learning from and with a group that is incredibly collaborative and teaching-centered while prioritizing resident wellness and self-growth as well.”
Arielle Roberts
Family Medicine, Strathcona
“The best part of Strathcona is the exceptional commitment to being resident-centered. Being able to guide and individualize the program to suit my learning and future goals means I learn more from every opportunity. More importantly, the people – program leadership, preceptors and residents are all committed to supporting resident wellness in whatever way each of us needs. This allows me to push myself to become the best possible family physician I can be.”
Marco Arimare
Psychiatry, Fraser and Greater Vancouver
“As a resident training mostly in the Fraser Health region, I am exposed to a diverse patient population which makes for endless learning opportunities. The staff have consistently demonstrated commitment to my learning and made me feel welcome and valued. Starting residency during a pandemic wasn’t ideal, but my co-residents kept the morale high and have been amazing to train with.”
Gurkirat Kaur Kandola
Pediatrics – Community Impact Stream, Vancouver and Prince George
“It’s been a privilege to be working and living in both urban and rural communities across the province. The training at BC Children’s Hospital is second to none and I have felt incredibly supported by my cohort and program directors who put a healthy focus on the wellness of their residents. While Vancouver is a stunning city, my heart still belongs to Northern B.C., where I hope to fulfill my passion of delivering healthcare to rural and remote communities as a general pediatrician.”
Britt-Heidi Bailey
Emergency Medicine, Kelowna
“I feel very lucky to be studying alongside such an incredible and supportive group of people. The resident group is small and tight-knit and the emergency medicine staff are kind, respectful and extremely invested in our success. We also get to know all the amazing nurses, clerks, technicians, social workers and porters. I often think about how fortunate I am to be training in a setting with such a strong culture of kindness and teamwork.”
Blake Birnie
Anesthesiology, Vancouver
“Learning from physicians who are distinguished experts at their craft is inspiring and pushes me to be the best resident that I can be. I’m so grateful to be part of a resident cohort who excels both at work while also maintaining really interesting personal lives. I’m very thankful that I get to spend the next four-and-a-half years with my co-residents and am eager to continue hearing the stories of their amazing endeavors both inside and outside of the hospital.”
Amenah Alghamdi
Adult Infectious Diseases, Vancouver
“I like meeting new people and listening to their different views and perspectives. I also enjoy working with my colleagues who astonish me every day by their brilliance, collegiality and motivation to care for their patients. My work always leaves me in constant admiration of my superiors who continue to show immense support and dedication to their patients and learners.”
Chelsea Rae Monell
Indigenous Family Medicine, Vancouver
“The part I love most is when we come together during our Indigenous site academic gatherings, which includes time with our Elders who teach and support us in a huge way. The work we do is flexible and versatile, allowing me to gain experience in other areas such as remote northern medicine, addictions and high-volume maternity. All of our education is through the lens of Indigenous frameworks and decolonization by incredible preceptors who model and support this work. It’s an honor and privilege to be a part of the Indigenous Family Medicine program and I know that I’m part of a community that will continue to inspire and support me long after graduation.”
Lorenzo Smith
Family Medicine, Abbotsford – Mission
“Residency requires diligence and determination, but it has been easy to work hard at a site that demonstrates such a strong commitment to thorough training, resident support and ongoing improvement. The doctors at the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Care are kind and capable educators, striking the right balance between allowing for independence and providing hands-on teaching. I know that when my cohort graduates we will be competent in clinic, hospitalist medicine, rural family medicine, addictions, maternity and any other field of family medicine we choose to practice.”