Welcome messages

Welcome to UBC! In my birth language (Yoruba), we would say, E káàbò. May your tenure as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine be remarkable for harmony, progress and societal impact for good. I look forward to working with you.

Dr. Olusegun Oyedele
Professor of Teaching
Cellular & Physiological Sciences
Interior

Welcome! Please visit Victoria and its many parks and shorelines — and the Bug Zoo! I encourage you to also visit our clerkship sites. I myself grew up in the Comox Valley, and Filberg Park and the marina are beautiful in the summer.

Sarah C. McGill
Health Data Librarian
Island Medical Program
Vancouver Island

Welcome to BC, Dr. Anandasabapathy. Northern BC may be small but mighty, driving innovation in decentralized and inclusive clinical trials. Hope you can hike to Crater Lake near Smithers, where our collaborative spirit matches the mountain views.

Dr. Robert Olson 
 Professor and Division Head
Radiation Oncology, Surgery
Northern BC

Welcome Dr. Anandasabapathy! I hope you will enjoy being in beautiful British Columbia and travel to Hornby Island, which is our favourite place to go each summer. The natural beauty in all of the Gulf Islands offers restoration and peace.

Dr. Anita Palepu
Professor and Eric W Hamber Chair
Department of Medicine
Lower Mainland

Welcome and congrats! Do visit the Sncewips Heritage Museum in West Kelowna to learn about the region’s Syilx/Okanagan peoples if you get a chance.

Jackson Traplin
Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator, Interior Southern Medical Program
Interior

Welcome Dr. Anandasabapathy! We are thrilled to have you on board, you are joining an incredible team of faculty, staff, and learners. I recommend East Sooke Park, since moving to the Island over 10 years ago it remains as one of my favourite places!

Sara Ohora
Manager, Strategy and Administration
Vancouver Island

Welcome Dr. Sharmila Anandasabapathy! I look forward to working with you. I would be honoured to give you a tour of the UBC Longhouse and the Museum of Anthropology.

James Andrew
Associate Director, Indigenous Initiatives
Office of the Vice Dean, Education
Lower Mainland

Welcome to UBC Medicine, Dr. Anandasabapathy! From the North, we’re thrilled to have you leading with vision and heart. When you visit the Northern Medical Program, don’t miss a walk along the Ancient Forest trail—where medicine meets mindfulness under 1,000-year-old cedars.

Dr. Alina Constantin
MEDD 411 Lead and Year 1 and 2 Site Director Northern Medical Program
Northern BC

I’m excited to see the Faculty of Medicine grow and thrive under your leadership. A true hidden gem in Vancouver is the Fraser River walking trails — often quiet and peaceful — located near a quirky breakfast spot called the Northern Cafe.

Kenny Hammond
Manager, Research Data Services
Digital Solutions
Lower Mainland

Welcome Dr. Anandasabapathy! We look forward to welcoming you to the Okanagan. Perhaps we could take you for a hike up Knox Mountain where you can enjoy spectacular views of Lake Okanagan.

Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis
Professor and Director
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention & Management
Interior

Welcome! On behalf of the Academy of Translational Medicine, we’re thrilled to work alongside you. My first journey after moving to Vancouver was hiking Stawamus Chief — an unforgettable experience that captures the beauty of this place.

Dr. Dean Regier
Director, Academy of Translational Medicine
Associate Professor, Population & Public Health
Lower Mainland

A warm welcome from Northern BC where the climate can be cold but our hearts are warm and our people and programs are committed to addressing health equity for the north. We would love for you to join us visiting Indigenous communities in the north.

Dr. Paul Winwood
Regional Associate Dean, Northern BC
Northern BC

Welcome to UBC! The Health Engagement team looks forward to working with you to advance health transformation. Must-see in BC: the Okanagan in summer.  Orchards, wineries, hiking, biking, golf or simply taking in the scenery.

Dr. Dean Jones
Vice Dean, Health Engagement
Lower Mainland

Welcome to the UBC family, Dr. Anandasabapathy! I hope you’re settling into your new home well.
While visiting Vancouver Island check out the Saturday market in Duncan with a stop at Westfalian Bakery for their tasty croissants!

Dr. Lindsey Forest
Co-Site Director, Quw’utsun Family Medicine Residency Site
Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine
Vancouver Island

Welcome Dr. Anandasabapathy! Very excited to have you join UBC and lead our fantastic program! When you come to the Okanagan you should visit the Kangaroo Farm or Myra Canyon Park! Again, welcome to UBC and I look forward to working with you!

Dr. Mike Bergunder
Assistant Dean, Student Affairs, Southern Medical Program
Interior

Welcome to UBC Medicine! Amid the whirlwind of new decisions and priorities, I hope you’ll journey north to Prince George, our “Northern Hub” to experience the spirit, partnerships, and collaborative health education that define the North.

Dr. Taru Manyanga
Assistant Professor
Physical Therapy
Northern BC

Welcome Dr. Anandasabapathy—so much happening all at once! Congratulations and warm greetings from BC. Everyone is excited for the future with you at the helm. My favourite place in BC is Kootenay Lake—a distance away but worth a visit in the summer!

Dr. Ravi Sidhu
Vice Dean, Education
Lower Mainland

Congratulations on your new role, Dr. Anandasabathy! Being from Vancouver, my favorite art gallery is the Vancouver Art Gallery, and I love the spa at the Hotel Georgia. If you’re looking for a great winery, I highly recommend Phantom Creek in Oliver!

Vanessa Maidens
Program Coordinator, Years 1 & 2
Southern Medical Program
Interior

Excited to welcome you to UBC, Dr. Anandasabapathy! I look forward to writing many impactful stories, guided by your vision for the Faculty, as we continue to transform health for everyone — fuelled by the occasional Blue Chip Cookie!

Jessica Werb
Creative Writer
Office of Creative & Communications
Lower Mainland

Welcome to beautiful British Columbia! I look forward to working with you. As a distributed site pediatrician and medical educator, I would like to welcome you to visit our sites and the amazing work that is being done on Vancouver Island.

Dr. Barbara Lelj
Pediatrician
3rd year Simulation Lead, Island Medical Program
Vancouver Island

Kelowna has many places with breathtaking views to appreciate the beauty of this place we live and work. The view from Knox Mountain is a great option but if time allows, the Myra Canyon Trestles show a view from the historic Kettle Valley Railway!

Dr. Daryl Wile
Clinical Associate Professor
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention & Management
Interior

Welcome to UBC, Dr. Anandasabapathy! We’re looking forward to welcoming you to the North when you’re able to visit! A few of my BC faves are Tacos from Toastworks in Stewart and coffee from Kershaw’s in Atlin. I look forward to meeting you!

Twylla Hamelin
Director, Administration
Northern BC

Dear Dr. Anandasabapathy, we are excited to have you join UBC and invite you to explore November events at the Museum of Anthropology, celebrating Indigenous heritage and cultural connection in our vibrant campus community.

Dr. Añuli C. Uzozie
Director, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science Program
Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Lower Mainland

Welcome Dr. Anandasabapathy!  Looking forward to meeting and working with you. I am biased but Vancouver Island is a ‘must-do’ visit including the West Coast beaches, the rain forests, and the mountains in Strathcona Park.  

Dr. Laura Farrell
Regional Associate Dean, Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island

Welcome to UBC and beautiful B.C., Dr. Anandasabapathy! One of my favourite spots is Deep Cove — kayak through calm, forest-lined waters, then grab a famous donut from Honey’s. It’s peaceful, scenic and pure West Coast charm.

Corné du Plessis
Strategic Programs Officer
Office of Research
Lower Mainland

Hello Dr. Anandasabapathy and welcome! We are looking forward to seeing you on the Island once you are settled in. For a must-see place, I suggest Shawnigan Lake in the Cowichan Valley. It’s lovely in the summer.

Dr. Morgan Price
Associate Professor
Family Practice, Island Medical Program
Vancouver Island

Dear Dr. Anandasabapathy, Welcome to UBC, the Faculty of Medicine, and BC. I’m really looking forward to working with you, and the one must-see place I’d recommend is Golden Ears Provincial Park with hiking trails for all tastes and seasons.

Johanne Lemaire
 Executive Coordinator, Office of the Dean
Governance, Dean’s Approvals and Special Projects
Lower Mainland

Welcome Dr. Anandasabapathy! We’re so excited to have you. We hope you can visit northern BC at some point and learn about the Northern Rural Integrated Clerkship, and our wonderful northern communities. I highly recommend Daajing Giids & Hazelton for Indigenous culture.

Dr. Sean Maurice
Assistant Dean, Northern Medical Program
Northern BC

Welcome to British Columbia where midwives are involved in 30% of births! We are eager to tell you about autonomous, Canadian primary care midwifery — distinct from US midwifery. Put Nanaimo bars and tortière on your list of must-try Canadian foods.

Dr. Cecilia Jevitt
Director, Midwifery
Acting Co-Head, Family Practice
Lower Mainland

Welcome Dr. Anandasabapathy, I am so happy that you are our new Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. We are all very much looking forward to supporting you in your leadership and vision.  My “must-see” place is anywhere on the ocean.

Dr. Cary Cuncic
Regional Associate Dean, Vancouver Fraser
Lower Mainland

Welcome from the unceded territory of the K’omoks First Nation on Northern Vancouver Island with rivers, lakes, and warm sandy beaches. lax̌a ʔik ʔəwinagʷis — It’s a beautiful place.

Courtney Charnell
Program Administrator – Strathcona
Vancouver Island

Welcome to Vancouver and the University of British Columbia! Looking forward to you joining the Faculty and your leadership.
A must-see activity is taking in a Canucks hockey game and visiting the goats on the roof at Old Country Market in Coombs.

Scott Lewis
Education Programs Manager
Surgery
Lower Mainland

Welcome to UBC FoM, Dr. Anandasabapathy! We are so happy to have you and are looking forward to all we will achieve together under your leadership. A must-do activity in BC: Panorama Ridge hike.

Anna Neufeld
Portfolio Manager, Research & Core Technology
Digital Solutions
Lower Mainland