The Southern Medical Program Excellence (SMP) Awards recognize faculty, staff, tutors, and mentors for their exceptional contributions to medical education across the program’s education sites. The entire award process including nomination and selection is completely undertaken by SMP students. On behalf of the SMP, congratulations to the 2017 honourees and thank you for your esteemed contributions to medical education for our students.
Year 1 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award
Matt Daalder, Lab Assistant, Southern Medical Program
Matt Daalder is the lab assistant for the SMP and assists with the gross anatomy, histology, and neuroanatomy labs for first and second year students.
Matt was acknowledged for his love of teaching and his creative ways to help students remember complicated anatomy. Matt consistently goes out of his way to offer support and is always willing to spend extra time with those students looking to take their knowledge to a higher level.
Year 2 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award
Dr. Ahmad Alshrbini, Adjunct Professor, Southern Medical Program
Dr. Ahmad Alshrbini is a case-based learning tutor and FLEX (flexible and enhance learning) course advisor for first and second year students.
Students consider him as an incredibly knowledgeable tutor, positive mentor, and excellent facilitator of group discussions. Dr. Alshirbini is incredibly supportive and goes above and beyond his responsibilities to effectively inform and guide students in their tasks and learning goals.
Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Kamloops
Dr. Amy Thibeault, Clinical Instructor, UBC Department of Psychiatry
Dr. Amy Thibeault is a psychiatrist and preceptor with the SMP’s Kamloops Clerkship Program based at Royal Inland Hospital.
She is recognized for her exceptional teaching and ability to continually provide genuine, objective, and honest guidance. Dr. Thibeault also demonstrates great communication skills with patients and staff helping students to learn how to effectively interact with everyone in the hospital setting. Students cannot help but feel constantly engaged and interested in the field of psychiatry.
Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Kelowna
Dr. Steven Finkleman, Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Family Practice
Dr. Steven Finkleman is a pediatrician and preceptor with the SMP’s Kelowna Clerkship Program based at Kelowna General Hospital.
He is acknowledged for his interactive and engaging teaching sessions and taking extra efforts to ensure students have a good grasp of common pediatric conditions. Students greatly appreciate his dedication to teaching core pediatric principles which ultimately helps them succeed in both their pediatric rotation and future practice.
Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Vernon
Dr. Brian Chai, Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Medicine
Dr. Brian Chai is an internist and preceptor for the Vernon Integrated Community Clerkship (ICC) program based at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
He is highly-regarded for optimizing learning sessions during the internal medicine rotation for Vernon ICC students. Dr. Chai continually makes the effort to turn every clinical encounter into a learning experience, whether it’s in the office, endoscopy, or intensive care unit. He demonstrates a true enthusiasm for teaching and spends extra time working with students to hone their skills.
Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Trail
Dr. Anne Davies, Clinical Instructor, Department of Family Practice
Dr. Anne Davies is a family physician and primary family practice preceptor with the Trail ICC program based at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital.
She is acknowledged as an irreplaceable mentor for Trail ICC students, a fantastic teacher, and for continually fostering a safe learning environment. Dr. Davies consistently takes the time to teach and ensures students have the same educational opportunities as they would in larger centres.
2017 Southern Medical Program Graduating Class Award
Dr. Olusegun Oyedele, Course Director and Senior Instructor, Southern Medical Program
Dr. Olusegun Oyedele leads the teaching of first and second year SMP students in anatomy, embryology, neuroanatomy, and histology in addition to serving as SMP Course Director for the Foundations of Medicine course.
The graduating SMP Class of 2017 recognized him for his extraordinary teaching efforts during their first two years of medical school. Dr. Oyedele is always willing to invest extra time to review learning objectives and presents concepts in a teaching style that allows student to retain the information for the long-term.