We continue our series of new student profiles with the Southern Medical Program Class of 2020. Here are our Q&As with Lebo, Landon, Patrica, and Amy:
Lebohang (Lebo) Kolisang
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa (Recently Prince George, BC)
What attracted you to the field of medicine?
Aside from “Scrubs” being one of my favourite TV-shows, I became attracted to medicine for a number of reasons. Fundamentally, the opportunity and privilege to serve people in their time of need and to develop meaningful relationships with them played a huge role in my decision to pursue medicine. There’s something special about the way you can connect to people within the doctor-patient relationship and that’s one of the things about a career in medicine that I’m looking forward to the most. Beyond that there’s so much diversity within medicine and versatility in what you can do with a medical degree; whether its clinical work, research, teaching or public health etc. (Plus the human body is unbelievably incredible and an absolute joy to learn about).
What are you most excited about beginning your studies with the Southern Medical Program?
It’s hard to pinpoint what I’m most excited about, but I’ve got to say that being part of such an amazing cohort of students and joining the SMP family is a huge blessing. Kelowna is such a beautiful place with a great community and I’m extremely excited to explore and get to know the area better.
What do you like to do in your spare time to relax and have fun?
(Wait a minute…what is this concept of “spare time”?)
I’m guilty of playing guitar perhaps more often than I should. I also enjoy showcasing my lack of vocal skills while driving. In terms of physical activity, I’m a big fan of skiing, soccer, squash, and most importantly, Ping-Pong.
What’s one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
My “new semester’s resolution” back in August was to become a weekday vegetarian. It actually went quite well initially. (For about a week… since then I’ve failed spectacularly).
Landon MacGillivray
Hometown: Kamloops. BC
What attracted you to the field of medicine?
For a long time, I was interested in becoming a Veterinarian; I have always had a passion for animals. However, while I was completing my undergraduate degree, my sister was going through medical school. My sister and I are very close, and I was fortunate to talk to her extensively as she progressed through medical school. I found myself very interested in what she was learning about, and her passion for medicine was contagious. I began to learn about all the different careers in the medical field and began to realize that as a physician, I could have a big impact on people’s lives. The potential opportunity to contribute to the health and well-being of Canadians became very appealing for me and was a huge motivating factor.
What are you most excited about beginning your studies with the Southern Medical Program?
I am excited to be in our small SMP cohort; we have a great group of people that I am looking forward to going through this program with. We will celebrate our success, experience numerous moments of panic, and together explore and become integrated into the Kelowna community.
What do you like to do in your spare time to relax and have fun?
In Kelowna, I am living with two of my first-year classmates. In our spare time, we have begun playing squash, playing video games and watching “Black Mirrors” on Netflix. Most interestingly, we have begun experimenting with this phenomenon called “cooking.” Our most recent success story involves the words “Panini” and “Fridays,” a thunderous success in the SMP community.
What’s one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
I have always been passionate about wildlife, specifically raptors. During my time in Victoria, I met a gentleman that was a falconer. I have always had a passion for raptors, and I was fortunate to complete a falconry apprenticeship under his supervision. For the next year, I worked with a red-tailed hawk named Loki 3-4 times a week, and I learned the essential skills required to be a successful falconer. I love falconry because Loki was not a pet, a strong mutualistic relationship was established. Loki was a wild red-tailed hawk that had the opportunity to fly away thousands of times, but instead recognized the benefits of hunting with a man she trusted. For me, I had the opportunity to appreciate her beauty, intelligence, and witness her breath-taking pursuits, successes and failures of prey. Once I have completed medical school and residency, I am looking forward to getting involved in falconry again.
Patricia Massel
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
What attracted you to the field of medicine?
I became interested in medicine in the last years of my undergrad. Growing up I was sure I wanted to be a research scientist, but I slowly realised that I was passionate about working with and for people. Communication and leadership are two skills I want to keep building, and I know this profession will give me plenty of opportunities to do so. I look forwards to one-on-one patient doctor interactions as well as working with interdisciplinary teams of colleagues. Furthermore, I am attracted to medicine because I can see the diversity of possible careers I could have in the future, such as practice of medicine, research, instruction, policy, or advocacy. I’m excited to be in a field where my job can grow and change with me.
What are you most excited about beginning your studies with the Southern Medical Program?
I am most excited about my classmates. Having a small 30-person class means we have our own little family. The support and deep friendships that come out of that will get us all through the next few years. The medical community here has also been very welcoming. Since the first day we arrived, the older students, staff and physicians have made us feel very welcome. This backing encourages me to take advantage of learning opportunities, like shadowing or residents rounds, that I was intimidated to pursue in Vancouver.
What do you like to do in your spare time to relax and have fun?
Physical activity has always been a huge part of my life, and keeping active keeps me sane when schoolwork builds up. Lunchtime workouts with my classmates are the highlights of my school days. I’m an avid skier, hiker, and general outdoors enthusiast so I can’t wait to explore the outdoor scene here. We don’t have mountains and nature like this in Ontario! I’ve managed to get out skiing a few weekends, and I’m looking forward to summer break so that I can get out backcountry camping again. Around home I really enjoy painting and cooking to relax.
What’s one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
In high school, I was in a Shakespearian acting club!
Amy Plessis
Hometown: Salmon Arm, BC
What attracted you to the field of medicine?
I love how dynamic of a field medicine is, you are constantly learning in order to keep up with new information. Additionally I love the challenge of problem solving in medicine and how you are given the unique privilege to be with people in some of their most trying situations.
What are you most excited about beginning your studies with the Southern Medical Program?
I love Kelowna and having the smaller program is definitely an advantage. I am so excited to get to know everyone and have the opportunity to explore the Okanagan in between studying.
What do you like to do in your spare time to relax and have fun?
I love spending time outdoors, so almost anything that gets me out! In the winter that is normally skiing and in the summer either biking or hiking.
What’s one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
I have broken the same arm three times.