Kazuko Hiroe

I am attracted to a healthcare profession that acknowledges and blends the social, emotional, anatomical, physiological, cultural and medical aspects of health to provide holistic, individualized and evidence-based care.

After the birth of my son, born with Trisomy 21 (13 years ago), and experiencing firsthand the positive impacts of midwifery care, I began to percolate the idea of becoming a midwife. I regard birth as one of the most powerful, transformative and natural life events and I am honoured to witness it over and over again.

I am going into my fourth and final year of the UBC Midwifery program during a pandemic, national financial and economic hardship, political unrest and during a global revolution to confront systemic racism. As we have heard time and time again, these are certainly unprecedented times. I am eager to participate in – and positively contribute to – healthcare in the midst of significant change. I look forward to protecting the normality of birth in a time where nothing truly feels normal.

One thing I have found fascinating about COVID-19 is that our society has had the opportunity to step towards a more collective culture. It is a unique time in which our behaviour and decision making prioritizes the health of the community and not only that of personal wellness. I have been privileged enough during the pandemic to slow down, connect with my children and husband, garden, cook beautiful meals, learn to teach and homeschool, ride my bike and to be grateful for our family’s health.

Early-bird mountain bike rides with a friend have many benefits: the trails are absolutely empty, I can beat the heat, it’s easy to stay more than 2 metres apart, I get my socializing and exercising dose in one go, a little adrenaline is good for the soul and I still have the rest of the day to get things done.