Dr. Terri Aldred has been awarded the Resident Doctors of Canada (RDoC) Mikhael Award for Medical Education in the staff category.
Dr. Aldred is a clinical instructor in the faculty of medicine’s department of family practice and Medical Director for Primary Care with the First Nations Health Authority.
The Mikhael Award for Medical Education honours individuals who have contributed to improving undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in Canada. The recipient of the award must demonstrate a firm commitment to medical education, exemplify creativity and leadership, promote medical education, and bring about change that could contribute to positive, long term improvement to medical education in Canada.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award, especially because I was selected by residents. Being at the helm of this program has been a highlight of my career,” says Dr. Aldred. “It is a joy to mentor such amazing residents who share an interest in Indigenous health and social justice. I would not be where I am without the many Indigenous physicians who have blazed trails for me, and my family and friends who continue to lift me up.”
“It is a joy to mentor such amazing residents who share an interest in Indigenous health and social justice.”
Dr. Terri Aldred
Dr. Ravi Sidhu, associate dean postgraduate medical education in the faculty of medicine, shared his appreciation for Dr. Aldred and her work.
“Dr. Aldred has blessed UBC by her contributions to residency education and healthcare,” he says. “She has supported learners, faculty and patients in her roles as a physician, educator and leader of our Indigenous Family Medicine Program Site. She is well deserving of national recognition and we are deeply appreciative to work with her.”
A resident of Prince George, Dr. Aldred is Dakelh from Tl’Azt’En on her mom’s side and mixed European and Métis Cree on her dad’s side, and a member of the Lysiloo (Frog) Clan. She is an outreach primary doctor with Carrier Sekani Family Services and a Site Director for UBC’s Indigenous Family Practice Program, which serves 12 Indigenous communities in Northern BC. In 2019, Dr. Aldred led the development of the BC Indigenous Medical Education Gathering, a network of current and future physicians dedicated to improving Indigenous health in the province.
Dr. Aldred has previously been the recipient of the College of Family Physicians of Canada First Five Years of Practice Award – BC (2018), the John J. Zack Award for Excellence in Family Practice (2013), and the Darcy Tailfeathers Memorial Award in Medicine (2009-2010).
RDoC honours individuals who have contributed to improving various elements of the lives of resident doctors in Canada. There are currently three awards bestowed annually in the following categories: (a) wellness, (b) medical education, and (c) service to resident doctors.
Past recipients have included resident doctors, program directors, postgraduate medical education (PGME) administrators, and organizations that support resident doctors. RDoC award recipients gain both national and local recognition for their efforts.
In light of physical distancing restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, recipients will be celebrated with a virtual reception on May 20.
A version of this article originally appeared on the FNHA website.