Tuum Est!
Graduation 2022

I’m drawn to psychiatry due to the biopsychosocial aspects of practice which emphasize a truly holistic approach to medicine and having the chance to intimately understand my patient and direct treatments based on that. I really fell in love with how my clinical instructors targeted the psychiatric concerns of a patient while also providing resources and therapy for all the other challenges that arise due to mental health illnesses.

I’ve had the privilege of creating an incredible number of fond memories while at UBC, but the first one that comes to mind is the degree of comradery I felt even when we first transitioned to the island. How my colleagues would go to the kitchenette just outside the lecture theatre during our 10-minute breaks to socialize, brew large batches of coffee for everyone, and to find support from an incredible group of people.

The biggest piece of advice I can give is to recognize that medical school shouldn’t be a transition period. Remember to live in the moment and to continue enjoying life in whatever way that might be. Take trips and vacations, go to cafes, and don’t forget about your friends outside of medicine.

Well, I’m headed up to Prince George for my psychiatry residency and looking forward to everything I’ll learn, the relationships I’ll make, and the adventures in store for me!

I knew that I wanted to find a profession where I could be constantly learning, but also where I could have a positive impact on those around me. I have always been fascinated by genetics and interested in why things happen in our lives and health. Genetic counselling allows me to combine these values in a rewarding and engaging way.

It may not be a single moment, but the first patient case that I saw through from start to finish will always stick with me; It was a huge milestone for me and immensely satisfying.

The program can be challenging and overwhelming at times. It is important to set up a support system, and not to be afraid to reach out to others when needed. I found my classmates to be an invaluable source of support and encouragement over the last two years.

I am starting as a genetic counsellor with the Provincial Medical Genetics Program at BC Women’s Hospital. I am excited to be transitioning from a student to a professional genetic counsellor.

My journey to medicine reflects the support, sacrifice, and wisdom of so many – a collective effort. It is this truth that I hold close to me and is why commitment to community drives me forward. I was raised in and by the Grandview-Woodlands neighbourhood in Vancouver’s Eastside, a place that encompasses an inner-city defined by resilience, strengthened by diversity, pillared by dedicated leaders, and united by a unique sense of identity. I am a queer only-child of a first-generation Mexican immigrant and an antiquarian bookseller settler of Irish-Scottish descent, raised in social housing and a product of public schooling. I am passionate about contributing to community and the public good because I am a product of it. This is the fundamental reason why I chose Family Medicine – it is where community meets medicine.

I don’t think I can pick out one moment, but what will stay with me are all the amazing friends and colleagues I have shared all these moments with. Thinking back on the first anatomy lab at the beginning of first year, the long nights at the Diamond Health Care Centre covering the whiteboards with minute details in second year, that first on-call shift, celebrating Match Day – I am really just thankful for the people that went through these ineffable experiences with me. They have made this journey memorable!

Remember to slow down when you can – before you enter a room allow yourself a moment to feel the ground beneath your feet, take four mindful deep breaths in, and remember, you are human, above all and outside the hospital walls.

I am excited to start my Family Practice residency at St. Paul’s – a program that I feel fits my passion for social justice, will help me develop into the physician I wish to be, and will allow me to maintain my connection to the community I was raised in. My wife and I are also enjoying being new parents to our bright-eyed and beautiful daughter, and I am so excited to watch her grow into an amazing tiny human!

Growing up, I saw severe dermatologic diseases exacerbated by systemic barriers in remote northern communities. I knew I wanted to help close health gaps and better understand how internal diseases and social determinants of health could manifest through a person’s integumentary system such as their skin, hair and nails. Throughout medical school, my calling to dermatology was further solidified as I thoroughly enjoyed the procedural, medical, and humanistic aspects provided by dermatology.

There have been so many incredible moments throughout the past four years— each time I received confirmation that I was moving through to the next stage or milestone, and how that moment felt when it sunk in, that moment of gratitude, and relief is always my favourite.

Medical school can be very demanding as well as rewarding. Creating and maintaining strong connections to community and relationships were instrumental to my overall success and wellbeing. Overall, don’t forget to take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.

I am excited to start at a world-renowned program like UBC Dermatology this July and continue my journey in health advocacy and becoming a well-rounded dermatologist.

I was greatly inspired by my own family physician who provided exceptional medical care to our community in Summerland, B.C. I have always imagined myself establishing the same amazing longitudinal relationships with my own patients – celebrating their progress and successes, while helping them overcome health challenges and perceived setbacks.

I was very fortunate to meet my amazing partner Jordanna during medical school training and each and every moment with her has been a highlight during my time at UBC. We were fortunate to be assigned to our top choice programs in Vancouver and we will be getting married at the end of May!

Find yourself a group of friends who boost you up and support each other. Medical school can be a long and rigorous process, having a solid support system around you will make all the difference!

Family Medicine Residency Training at the Vancouver-Fraser Program. I am beyond excited to start residency training with my amazing co-residents in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

I’ve wanted to work in a health-related field for as long as I can remember. While exploring the many possibilities, I heard a podcast by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, the surgeon general of California. She described how she was able to improve the lives of thousands, if not millions, of people through system-level changes, as opposed to treating one person at a time. Though the latter is absolutely vital, the widespread effects of the former really appealed to me.

One moment that comes to mind was the MPH Practicum Showcase in 2021. After being entirely virtual for the first year, it was great to have everyone come together to visit and chat about each other’s projects. It was incredible to see all the great work everyone had accomplished in such a short amount of time. I got to see a room full of future health leaders who care deeply about improving and advocating for the well-being of others and it was very encouraging.

The staff and faculty in the MPH program don’t want to see you burn out. If you are having a particularly tough time or are feeling overwhelmed, reach out to your teachers and ask for some extra help or an extension. They are there to help you and they won’t think differently of you if you need some time.

I’m taking some time to rest and recharge before looking for work. When the time comes, I hope to apply the quantitative skills I’ve developed over these last few years to help solve health-related problems by working in research or in government. Having said that, I’ll keep an open mind to whatever opportunities come my way.

I have always been fascinated with how brains work. In both humans and other species across the evolutionary tree, we see the nervous system regulating extraordinary biological functions and behaviours. Studying neuroscience as a graduate student allowed me to dive deeper into the intricacies of the brain and the processes that regulate its functions.

I can’t pick a single favourite moment but collectively, besides the immensely rewarding experience of research and discovery, being part of the UBC graduate student community and helping cultivate its growth was a fulfilling and memorable experience for me. I had the privilege of representing UBC graduate students as their Graduate Student Society Vice-President External Relations and in my meetings with government and external organizations I would often see their amazement when I discussed some of the ground-breaking research that graduate students are spearheading at UBC. These moments allowed me to share with our community how proud I am of the work we do as graduate student researchers.

Graduate school and research can be difficult; I would encourage students to give it their all and take joy and pride in the work that they are doing. Not many people get to work at the cutting-edge of science and technology and it really is a privilege to be part of discovering something new about the world and its workings.

I’d like to delve into the intersection of science and policy. My graduate school experience provided me with skills in both and I’m excited to bring the two together to help tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by our communities.

During medical school some of my most meaningful encounters were in psychiatry. I was impressed by the thoughtfulness of the psychiatrists I worked with and their appreciation for the complexity and messiness of the human experience. I saw a career in psychiatry as an opportunity to better understand people from a variety of perspectives, be with them in crisis, and provide treatment with a range of approaches, both medical and psychosocial.

Through residency at UBC I have been lucky to become friends with people who are up for adventures of all sorts. I have delighted in learning how to ski (fearfully), camping, hiking, and generally spending time outdoors in all seasons.

Take time to do things that make you feel like yourself, no matter how busy life gets. I cannot say enough about the importance of good sleep, regular exercise, and time in nature.

I’m completing a fellowship in geriatric psychiatry at UBC next year to gain further experience working with older adults. In the short term, I’m planning a trip to Italy which will feature beaches, small towns and ample gelato.

Emergency medicine has changed from physicians standing ready for acute emergencies to practicing as “availablists”—physicians who can help people anytime with any need. On my road to medicine, I learned that the most meaningful way to spend my life is to be available to people when they need it most, and an availablist is the kind of physician that I want to become. Not only do I want to lead resuscitations, but I want to be available to the unhoused, fearful gentleman with opioid use disorder and a skin infection. I want to put my hand on his shoulder and say, “We got you.”

I do not think there is a single favourite moment. “Offer of Admission – Island Medical Program” was a dream come true, but I could never have imagined the community waiting to be built on the other side of August 20, 2018. Whether laughing together about feeling awkward in clerkship or finding friends in the student lounge to debrief after clinical experiences, our community meant the world to me; it was such a privilege to be a part of it.

The premed journey is exhausting. However, the grind does not stop once you start medical school. Prioritize your wellness and learn sustainable practices to foster resiliency. I suffered from a lack of balance on my path to medicine, and prioritizing work-life balance during medical school has improved my mental health and helped me overcome the challenges of medical training.

I feel very fortunate to have matched to the UBC Emergency Medicine Residency Program in Kelowna. I am ecstatic to join my new family with a point-of-care ultrasound in one hand and my bike helmet in the other. I hope to become a leader in clinical and academic emergency medicine fighting the overdose crisis and improving emergency care for people who use substances.

I found my people when I worked in the emergency department (ED). The staff and residents’ leadership and personalities aligned with the vision I have for myself. I was excited to go to shift every time – even in the middle of the night. I played competitive team sports all my life and found the ED to resemble the high-paced team environment that I love being a part of. Lastly, I find the opportunity to be there for someone, often the most vulnerable members of our society, in a very scary and pressured time, an incredibly rewarding experience.

My favourite moments are as simple as bonding and talking during a call-shift or lunch breaks with my classmates in the student lounges. Being an Island Medical Program student gave me a strong sense of comradery with my colleagues and I was fortunate to find friends that could laugh with me at all hours of the night.

Don’t be afraid to start your own club or initiative. I found, the staff/faculty were more than eager to engage and help me grow projects or programs. If you have an idea, find some other peers who share like-minded interests and run with it!

I feel so lucky to be staying in Victoria and training in the Emergency Medicine residency program. Outside of medicine, my plans will be to continue staying active in the gym, playing intramural and rec soccer, going on random camping/ski trips and bonding with my co-residents.

When I was six, I lived with my grandfather in a small town of rural China. My grandfather was the doctor of the village, who never went to a formal medical school. He trained through an apprenticeship program. I remember having patients come and receive treatment at our home because they couldn’t afford the hospital. My grandfather would not ask for any payment. Over weekends, he would take me on a bike and ride to country side farms to cast people’s broken legs. It was his generosity and dedication to the community that motivated me to pursue family medicine.

My favourite moment was the time when the class decided to have a bonfire together. I loved the fire and the quality bonding time.

Books are great, but continue to connect with the community and the world. Seek out ways to get involved and advocate. These are valuable experiences that should not be postponed until grad.

Family medicine residency in Vancouver. I will continue to study hard and live up to the Northern Medical Program standard.

The way that my Indigenous mother talked about birth was powerful. I could see the pride and strength glow from her when she told the stories of her three births. One of the pieces that clearly brought her significant pride was advocating for herself to have an experience most suited to her. By advocate I mean fight for. Then and now, I see how much more work advocating is for our Indigenous peoples and our folk of various minorities within healthcare. I chose birth work, particularly midwifery, because I see the possibility that midwifery, and growing Black Indigenous People of Colour (BIPOC) midwifery in particular, can offer our growing communities. I envision furthering care that offers individualism, continuity, choice and support for all people. We need to see particular improvement for those who are more vulnerable to discrimination and mistreatment.

Like most within the Faculty of Medicine, the majority of my time has actually been spent away from UBC campus and instead within communities. My favourite moment is next to impossible to pin down. I would say the first moment that truly filled me was my first acknowledgement from a client that I was valuable in their care, and that it happened sooner than I thought it would have.

I have more than one: Take time to grow your supports. Lean on them and be there for them. Not only that but take time to fuel yourself in whichever way that looks like for you – escape, wander, create, move, nourish, rest. The demand of this program is much like the demand of pregnancy, birth and postpartum; there are ebbs and flows between being incredibly rewarding and both physically and emotionally taxing. That, and the experiences within this program are going to be different for everyone. Harness your own strengths and know that it’s okay if you’re not gliding through as smoothly as others. Lastly, the advice that I was given: Have more loves than midwifery, for if you love it first and foremost, other pieces of who you are or want to be will not be given enough of you.

As of recently, I am a mother of two. The newest addition is only weeks old, so I plan to spend months soaking her up, learning about her, and showing her what there is to see in and around British Columbia. In about six months I plan to begin practicing. I have big dreams with many boxes to tick in my ideal practice. Hopefully you will find me somewhere near mountains, on a small team, with big hearts, serving all people.

I was interested in family medicine before I started medical school. It all started when I lost my father to lung cancer at a young age. I remember watching from my window as the volunteer driver picked my dad up for his appointments at the BC Cancer Agency. The level of support provided to my family, kindness of the healthcare team, and opportunity to provide longitudinal care are what attracted me to family medicine.

Growing up, I had a responsibility to care for my sister. She lives with a mental disability and is dependent on my family and I for many of her activities of daily living. One of my most proud accomplishments was finding a creative solution to encourage her to brush her teeth twice a day, independently. Since I am a former dental hygienist, this was huge for me. Caring for my sister helped me understand what it meant to truly consider the psychosocial aspects of health that influence our patients and to provide holistic care. Being able to advocate for patients, especially those who are unable to advocate for themselves, is something that I want in my career as a family physician.

My favourite moment during my time at UBC was watching my first vaginal delivery as a second-year medical student with my family medicine clinical instructor. I remember driving home afterwards with tears in my eyes. I was in awe at what I had witnessed and how amazing our bodies truly are! We are so privileged to be part of many of these special moments as a medical student. I am grateful for our patients who have allowed us to be part of their care.

My advice for students entering medicine is to be kind to yourselves. It can often feel like we are expected to learn and know many things, especially on clinical rotations. The sheer volume of content can be quite overwhelming. Take time for yourself, do things that fill your bucket, and spend time with loved ones. Those are the things that truly matter. A mentor once told me, “You can do it all, but you cannot do it all at the same time.” Medicine is supposed to be a career, it should not be your entire life!

I am excited to be starting my family medicine residency at UBC’s Family Medicine Program – Coastal Site in North Vancouver. I found myself interested in many things throughout medical school and I am sure many can attest to how conflicted I was, even up until CaRMS submission. This was truly the best fit for me!

From a young age I was curious about human anatomy and how the body was able to perform so many functions at once. When I began to learn more about normal physiology and homeostasis, I wondered about how illness and diseases disrupted normal functioning systems and how that would present on a cellular level. After being introduced to the field of pathology in high school, I was intrigued by the notion that microscopic changes in the appearance of cells could lead to a diagnosis and determine the prognosis and treatment of a disease. Excited by the investigative work involved in forming a diagnosis, I decided that pathology was the career that I would pursue.

My favourite moments at UBC were those that I was able to spend with my sister who also attended UBC during the first three years of my degree. We shared lovely memories together like spending late nights at each other’s apartments, enjoying loads of sushi, cooking and baking (I made the food, she ate it), endless walks, and finally living together beside Kitsilano beach during the pandemic. On campus, our favourite thing to do was to get matcha lattes and scones from Great Dane Coffee.

For students entering the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, I would suggest identifying specific areas of interest within the course curriculum and pursuing those topics further by reading current research or speaking with related professors. For example, during PATH 305, I became interested in kidney physiology and pathology. When we were assigned projects that involved photographing and describing an organ’s normal histology, I decided to investigate the kidney and fulfil my curiosities. Similarly, in PATH 415, I became fascinated by organ transplant immunology and the logistical problems surrounding organ transplantation. By discussing the latter with the professor after class, I was able to learn more about the obstacles surrounding transplantation which enhanced my learning and retention.

After having recently graduated from the BMLSc program, I am now working as a Pathology Assistant. I hope to learn more about the laboratory work and tissue processing that occurs in the pathology department before a slide makes it under the microscope. In the next year or two, I will be applying to medical schools in Canada and I am aiming to pursue a career as an anatomical pathologist.

All my known ancestors are from the Secwépemc First Nation. I am proud to have been raised in Skeetchestn, a rural Indigenous reservation. I attribute a significant part of my journey towards Emergency Medicine (EM) to my unique upbringing, the place I come from, and its people. Being the first in my family to pursue post-secondary studies was non-trivial to me, and required me to develop a great deal of independence and self-confidence. I attribute my resiliency not only from the barriers I have overcome, but more importantly, in the strength rooted through a trans-generational connection to my ancestors.

I am particularly moved by my Kyé7e (Grandmother) Christine Simon. As a residential school survivor it goes without saying that she has suffered immensely at the hands of the education system. Despite this, after leaving the residential school she attempted to get a basic high school education but was denied admission because of her identity as an Indigenous person. I recognize my privilege in my education journey and dedicate this degree and my future career to my Kyé7e.

I look forward to being the first point of contact in the health care system to a diverse group of peoples and working to ensure equitable health care is achieved. I am inspired by EM physicians because the speciality demands a breadth of knowledge during critical presentations while also demonstrating strong leadership. I am excited at the prospect of bringing a personal connection to Indigenous and rural health, which I know will strongly contribute to the advancement of EM. I intend to be a specialized leader within quality improvement to collectively improve the standard of care for all patients, including Indigenous peoples.

Driving straight to IHOP post 24 hour call for some cupcake pancakes. Beyond that, I have met some of my best friends in my graduating cohort. There have been many favourite moments and good laughs with these folks, some of them perhaps better then cupcake pancakes, but too many to mention here.

Watch some Dr. Glaucomflecken videos for some comedic relief during the tough times and sign up for the physician resource UpToDate ASAP.

This July my partner and I will be moving to Calgary as I will be starting an EM residency. I could not be happier or more excited for this transition. Oh and one other thing, I will be adopting a dog this year!