The lineup of performances at UBC’s 2016 Resident Talent Night.
Once a year, the lights at the Medical Student Alumni Centre are dimmed, the candles are lit, and a spotlight shines on UBC medical residents as they take to the stage during Resident Talent Night.
At this year’s event, held on September 21, residents entertained friends, family and colleagues with a diverse lineup of acts — from acrobatics and theatre to poetry, song, and standup.
“Talent night offers a space for UBC residents of all years and all specialties to gather and celebrate our talents outside of medicine,” said Christopher Uy, a neurology resident, who captivated the audience with a partner acrobatics routine.
Dr. Uy, a former competitive gymnast, was not the only resident to leave the audience cheering for more. Over the course of the evening, David Mongar, Nicole Stewart, Samantha Balass, Disha Mehta, and Bri Budlovsky demonstrated their vocal prowess with Broadway show tunes, folk songs and jazz refrains, while others, including Michael Yong and Bradley Little, revealed their musical talent through classical piano performances.
The range of acts — all of which were webcast live to medical trainees, faculty and staff from sites across the province — stretched well beyond the musical realm, with original poetry readings by Jimmy Wang, stand-up comedy by Brad Locke, and spoken word performances by Aaron Cass.
Dr. Christopher Uy, a neurology resident, captivates the audience with a partner acrobatics routine.
“Events like Talent Night remind us of our own humanity,” said Dr. Cass, whose satirical performances had members of the crowd smiling from ear to ear.
For UBC’s Resident Wellness Counsellor, Rachel London, the annual event presents an opportunity for medical trainees to not only connect and showcase their gifts, but reflect on the importance of work-life balance during residency and beyond.
“Tonight is about connecting with peers and shining a light on the many talents — both in and outside of medicine — our new and returning residents have to offer,” announced London, who recently joined UBC’s Resident Wellness Office, and who will work alongside fellow counsellor Rebecca Turnbull to offer support services to UBC residents across the province.
This year’s talent night, which was organized by the Resident Wellness Office in partnership with residents, also featured faculty performances by Lawrence Lo, Geriatric Medicine Residency Program Director, Joe Finkler, Clinical Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine, and Roger Wong, Executive Associate Dean, Education.
“It’s really exciting to see how much Resident Talent Night has grown over the years,” says Dr. Wong, who co-founded the event with Dr. Richard Sztramko nearly a decade ago. “It’s encouraging to see the power of music, art, and community bring residents, faculty and staff together.”
Resident Talent Night, which started off as an informal gathering among internal medicine residents in 2007, has grown year-after-year, and now boasts a diverse set of performers from across many residency programs. This year, nine programs — including family medicine, geriatrics, neurology, palliative, emergency, anesthesiology, otolaryngology, psychiatry, and pediatrics — were represented in the performance lineup.
The 2016 Resident Talent Night art exhibit, featuring photography, painting and drawing submissions from residents across the province.
In addition to the wide range of performances, this year’s event-goers had an opportunity to take in a stunning art exhibit, featuring photography, painting and drawing submissions from residents, including Jasmine Osiowy, a second-year family medicine resident in Terrace and hobbyist photographer.
“Photography has helped me keep perspective, especially during busy or tough days,” says Dr. Osiowy, who has been dabbling in photography since high school. “The perspective gained by the creative process and simply the shift of focus from day-to-day medical issues can bring understanding to patient interactions, challenges, societal issues, and overall community well-being.”
Dr. Osiowy’s sentiment is echoed by other residents, like Dr. Uy, who decided to pursue his long-standing interest in and passion for circus a little over a year ago.
“Developing an artistic or athletic side contributes to success in medicine in many ways,” says Dr. Uy. “Not only is it important for maintaining both physical and mental wellbeing, but there are also transferrable skills between arts, sports and medicine.”
Recipients of the inaugural Faculty and Staff Wellness Award, recognizing those who are strong advocates of resident wellness, were also announced at this year’s talent night. Award recipients included: Peter Weerasinghe, Associate Program Director, Resident Wellness, Internal Medicine, Steve Beerman, Site Director, Family Medicine Residency, Nanaimo, Carlea Remodo, Site Coordinator, Aboriginal Family Medicine Residency, and Dianna Louie, Clinical Instructor, Division of General Pediatrics.
UBC Resident Talent Night would not have been possible without significant contributions from the performers and volunteers — thank you to all who participated.
For full photo highlights from this year’s event, click here.
To find out more about wellness events and support services, visit the Resident Wellness Office site for details.
Dr. Roger Wong, Executive Associate Dean, Education, stands alongside this year’s resident performers and Resident Wellness Office staff, Rachel London and Lauren Phelan.