Established in 2001, UBC’s four-year Midwifery degree program has been preparing midwives for practice in B.C. for over a decade.
This fall, we sat down with first-year student Rebecca Mlikotic to find out what attracted her to the program, and what excites her about the year ahead.
Rebecca Mlikotic
Year: 1
Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.
What sparked your interest in pursuing a degree in midwifery?
I have a passion for people – this is something that has always drawn me to medicine, and what attracted me to pursue a career in midwifery.
When I attended an information session on UBC’s Midwifery program, I heard a very touching testimony from a registered midwife – she spoke about the program, the intensity of her career, her workplace community, and the relationships she has fostered with clients. She described midwifery as a beautiful balance of the clinical and relational dimensions of birth. Through her testimony, I discovered another passion of mine – the bridging of science and humanity, the logical and the relational. My further research into midwifery and its philosophy of care only deepened my attraction and passion for the profession as I strongly identified with many elements, especially continuity of care and the amount of time spent with clients.
What excites you the most about the 2015/2016 school year?
I suppose the most obvious aspect would be to begin working towards my career as a midwife – to be undertaking studies that will actually lead to a career, especially one where I get to connect with clients on many different levels.
Secondly, I am very eager to meet my classmates. With only 20 students in the program, I know we are going to get very close, and it is exciting to think that these individuals will not only be my friends, but future colleagues.
What’s one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
I prefer stale potato chips to fresh ones.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Definitely still in B.C.! Following graduation, I plan to gain additional expertise in fertility / family planning. I would also love to establish a rural multidisciplinary Women’s Health Clinic. By partnering with other professionals (e.g. obstetricians, lactation consultants etc.) at my clinic, we would be able to provide many aspects of health care to women and mothers in one accessible place.