Dr. Dianne Valenzuela
Southern Medical Program Class of 2015
PG-Y2 Resident, Division of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, UBC
Tell about your current training.
As part of my training to become an otolaryngologist/head and neck surgeon, I spend time doing surgery in the operating room, taking care of patients in the surgical wards, seeing patients in various ENT subspecialty clinics, and addressing any ENT issues for the hospitals in the city while on call.
What attracted you to a career in medicine?
I enjoy the fast paced lifestyle of medicine, and how it can make a big impact on people’s lives.
Today in healthcare it’s important to…
Listen to your patient! With all the technological advances it’s easy to get caught up in fancy tests and gadgets without actually connecting with the patient in front of you.
What is the best professional advice you received?
Learn from your mistakes and strive to do better each day. An advantage of residency (and medical school) is you can learn from your mentor’s mistakes.
What is your favourite memory at the Faculty of Medicine?
Moving to Kelowna with a bunch of strangers as the first class of the SMP. There was a lot of uncertainty initially but it turned out to be a great 4 years! My classmates and mentors then ended up becoming my lifelong friends.
What advice do you have for current medical students?
Work hard but don’t forget to enjoy the journey and create lasting friendships along the way.
Bucket list item?
Travel to Bora Bora.