Back to School 2020

Meet students from a wide range of Faculty of Medicine programs.

Meet the students

Kaitlin Blackwood

By Stephanie Chow | August 26, 2020

Hometown: I have lived along both the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines, but I feel most at home as an uninvited guest on unceded Coast-Salish land. I split my time between Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island.
Program: Master of Public Health
Year in Program: 2
What inspired you to pursue your program?

After completing my honours degree in psychology from the University of Victoria, I worked for the Island Health Authority for five years. I started in psychiatric rehabilitation before transitioning into coordinating large-scale clinical research projects and programs, with a focus in stroke and dementia. While I loved working in clinical neurosciences, I felt it was time to expand beyond my research skills and hone-in on developing some further practical skills (both quantitative and professional) that will help me move forward into leadership roles. The Master of Public Health (MPH) program at UBC was a natural fit for me.

Tell me about your practicum?

I have spent an amazing summer working alongside Dr. Adam Lund, Clinical Associate Professor in UBC’s Department of Emergency Medicine. Although we were originally planning to work in harm reduction for large-scale electronic music festivals, we had to pivot under the context of COVID-19. After working on Free Open Access materials that could assist the reopening of many different industries during Phases 2 and 3 of BC’s Restart Plan, we are now setting-up and advising on COVID-19 health and safety plans for the TV and film industry.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

I am looking forward to diving into many of my upcoming courses, particularly SPPH 536: Aboriginal People and Public Health: Ethics, Policy, and Practice and SPPH 541: Economic Evaluation.

I also really enjoy the teamwork of my MPH cohort. Even though we will likely be remote throughout the remainder of our program, I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s faces on Zoom and keeping up with the group chat!

How are you making personal wellness a priority during COVID-19?

As an MPH student during a pandemic, I found the biggest impact to my own wellness is the constant pressure of being the primary source of vetted information for everyone in all of my social circles. One morning I woke up to over 150 separate messages from loved ones with questions related to COVID-19. I also felt self-imposed pressure to check that my own behavior during quarantine was absolutely perfect (if I can’t model it, I can’t expect others to). I had to realize that I too am only human with my own limitations, capacities, and propensity to make mistakes. I am doing my best, and that’s all we can do!

Favourite physically-distanced social activity?

Playing my ukulele on the beach or laying in my hammock!