Meet some of our Southern Medical Program students heading back to school for the 2015-16 academic year.
Name: Amelia Stegeman
Hometown: Not disclosed
Program Year: 3
What excites you the most about the 2015/16 school year?
My rural placement in Salmo this October. I’ve never been there, but I’m excited to spend some time in a rural community. Plus I’ll have a new backyard to explore for a month.
What do you expect will be the most challenging part of this year?
Learning the ropes of the hospital. So far my experience has been mostly at school and in the close supervision of family doctors around the Central Interior.
What do you hope to achieve academically this year?
I hope to remember my student cards, stethoscope, and iPhone every day. I figure showing up with the right gear and the right attitude every day is a good start to a challenging year.
How will you spend your down time? What is your favourite thing to do in your site region?
At the SMP there is unlimited outdoor recreation. I’m trying to narrow in on developing my skills in climbing (maybe lead trad this year), backcountry skiing, and mountaineering.
Name: Greg Costello
Hometown: Abbotsford
Program Year: 4
What excites you the most about the 2015/16 school year?
All of the diverse and interesting electives I’ve set up for myself over the next few months – I get to gain knowledge and experience critical to my future career in rural general practice without the stress or responsibility of being a physician or resident yet. This is an opportunity that will never come along again!
What do you expect will be the most challenging part of this year?
Juggling CARMS preparation, a research project, keeping up with associated (and unassociated) reading/writing while also getting as much experience and knowledge out of each elective as I can!
It’s going to be a busy, but very fun year!
What do you hope to achieve academically this year?
I want to put muscle on the body of clinical knowledge I built last year, and the end goal for Year 4 is a CARMS residency spot in Rural Family Medicine!
How will you spend your down time? What is your favourite thing to do in your site region?
I like to read and write about my experience as a medical student, and enjoy hiking and photography when I get the chance. I also like cooking and hitting the gym in my off time, all while listening to podcasts on topics ranging from pharmacology to business and finance.
Wine touring is the official pastime of the Okanagan, and that has to be my favorite thing to do in the region, but paddleboarding on the lake takes a close second!
Name: Taran Main
Hometown: Armstrong
Program Year: 1
What excites you the most about the 2015/16 school year?
Getting the opportunity to finally pursue my dream of becoming a physician after all these years of preparation!
What do you expect will be the most challenging part of this year?
Balancing school, hobbies, friends and family and personal health and fitness.
What do you hope to achieve academically this year?
I hope to do the best that I can and to come out with no regrets.
How will you spend your down time? What is your favourite thing to do in your site region?
I will spend my down time fishing my brother, hiking with my fiancé, painting and enjoying everything the Okanagan has to offer.