SMP students at Special Olympics Healthy Athletes.

As part of the Faculty of Medicine’s Flexible Enhanced Learning course, Southern Medical Program (SMP) students get opportunities to immerse themselves in the community to collaborate with local organizations.

Recently, SMP students partnered with the Special Olympics BC Healthy Athletes program to assist with health screenings at a Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Day in Kelowna. We caught up with second-year student Danielle Macdonald, who shared more about her experience:

How did you get involved?

My previous experience as a coach with the Special Olympics allowed me to build strong connections with the athletes and sparked a passion for working with this community. When I noticed limited research on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) in BC, I was motivated to pursue this project.

The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Day offers fun, interactive health screenings and education tailored to individuals with intellectual disabilities. The screenings take place in a welcoming, relaxed environment where athletes felt comfortable and supported.

Tells us more about the project.

According to the Special Olympics BC Healthy Athletes Screening Survey, 29% of caregivers reported that these screenings identified previously undetected medical concerns, while 78% said the screenings helped them gain valuable health care knowledge.

SMP students played an active role in the event, promoting health education by discussing topics such as nutrition, sun safety, personal hygiene, and hydration. They also assisted with measurements like blood pressure, height, and weight.

Supported by health care professionals, athletes receive referrals back into the health care system to ensure everyone gets the treatment they need. Other offered screenings include health hearing, vision, dentistry, podiatry, and mental health.

Second-year SMP student Danielle Macdonald.

How has the experience impacted your learning as a future physician?

This project has provided me with a much deeper understanding of the significant barriers to equitable health care that this population faces. Individuals with IDDs experience a disproportionately higher risk of cardiovascular disease and related complications due to an interplay of biological, social, and systemic factors.

I hope to remain involved with Special Olympics throughout my career and would love to see SMP students continue contributing to this initiative in the coming years. Additionally, I hope to encourage local physicians to get involved in supporting future events.

Dr. Battsetseg (Tseegii) Batchuluun has been appointed the new Foundations of Scholarship (FoS) and Flexible and Enhanced Learning (FLEX) Site Director for the Southern Medical Program (SMP), effective January 1, 2025. Dr. Batchuluun will continue to serve in her role as Assistant Professor of Teaching (tenure-track) for the SMP.

Dr. Batchuluun completed her medical degree and internal medical residency with the National University of Medical Sciences in Mongolia. While practicing medicine in Japan, she earned her PhD from Kyushu University with a focus on cardiovascular complications of diabetes. In 2014, she relocated to Canada to pursue an academic career. During the past ten years, she has served as a postdoctoral research fellow with the University of Toronto and the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute. At McMaster University, in addition to working on biomedical research projects, she has taught a diversity of topics including nutrition and metabolism, molecular mechanisms of common diseases, and the role of stem cells in developing regenerative medicine. Dr. Batchuluun joined the SMP as an Assistant Professor of Teaching in September 2024.

In her new role, Dr. Batchuluun will provide leadership and organizational responsibilities for the FoS and FLEX portfolios with a commitment to community-engaged projects and excellent student research experiences. Dr. Batchuluun will work closely with the SMP leadership team and Directors from the Vancouver-Fraser Medical Program, Island Medical Program, and Northern Medical Program.

The Southern Medical Program (SMP) recently launched a community-engaged learning initiative to help students gain real-world learning experiences. The first event, held in November, featured a Diabetes Awareness outreach activity in partnership with the UBC Small Steps for Big Changes program and the Orchard Park Shopping Centre.

“This initiative not only empowers students to apply their medical knowledge in service to the community but also raises awareness about prevalent health issues,” says Dr. Battsetseg Batchuluun, event organizer and Assistant Professor of Teaching in the SMP.

The November event served a dual purpose as students gained invaluable real-world experience in community health education and communication. In addition, local residents had the opportunity to learn more about diabetes risk factors, assess their risk levels, and receive personalized guidance on prevention strategies.

“Our students did an amazing job of breaking down complex medical information into simple, actionable advice,” adds Batchuluun. “This kind of hands-on, community-engaging experience is invaluable for our students, and it is equally important for our community as our students provide health education in a way that is approachable and engaging.”

The SMP plans to expand this initiative to address other important health topics, creating more opportunities for students to engage with local communities.

“The initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to medical education — one that prepares students to become not only healthcare providers, but also advocates for better health outcomes in the community they serve,” says Batchuluun.

Community outreach volunteers at the Orchard Park Shopping Centre.

Group of faculty, staff, and students who helped organize the event.

Photo credit: called Reach One Touch One Ministries (ROTOM) Canada

Southern Medical Program student Soren Meeuwisse recently had her scoping review Water fetching and musculoskeletal health across the life-course in Sub-Saharan Africa published in the PLOS Global Public Health Journal.

What is the focus of your research?
Although water has been declared a fundamental human right by the United Nations, many households in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) do not have adequate water accessibility and it is socioculturally women’s responsibility to walk far distances carrying water to provide for the household. This practice, performed by millions of women worldwide every day, is predicted to persist for many years due to deeply ingrained sociocultural gender norms and increasing water insecurity, as a result of climate change and population growth in SSA. The review outlines how women in SSA endure the harmful MSK impacts of water fetching through the many stages of life—from childhood and childbearing years to old age. As a result, they face gender disparities in health outcomes and opportunities for personal and economic development. This paper aims to inform future studies and interventions in MSK healthcare, aiming to prevent, reduce, and rehabilitate poor MSK health, ultimately improving both individual and societal well-being.

Soren Meeuwisse

What did you learn?
I gained a deep understanding of my specific topic through the rigorous research process, but just as importantly, I learned a great deal about conducting research properly. This experience has greatly enhanced my appreciation for high-quality, impactful published studies. The main take-aways that I learned from my research are:

(1) The MSK issues reported in this review are preventable and this is a global public health problem that is socially normalized, under-measured, and underrepresented in the literature

(2) Despite elderly women commonly fetching water, there is very minimal literature on their MSK health, which has significant implications for the well-being of their household as well. Many grandparents are the primary caretakers of their grandchildren, as the middle generation in SSA has sadly been largely impacted by HIV/AIDS. Therefore, the grandparents’ physical ability to fetch water directly impacts child health and school attendance.

(3) Men or younger boys who fetch water have preferential access to tools (such as a bicycle or cart) that ease the burden of water fetching, illustrating gendered access to innovative devices that may be developed to assist the health of water fetchers. Further, it is understood that women play a crucial role in household water accessibility, yet women are largely excluded from water management, decision-making, and implementation processes which are often led by able-bodied men. Addressing the challenges of MSK pain and dysfunction in SSA require consideration of societal, cultural, behavioural, infrastructural, and ergonomic factors.

How has the research impacted your training as a future physician?
This research has deepened my understanding of the intricate connections between social determinants of health and physical well-being, particularly in the context of musculoskeletal health. It has reinforced the importance of viewing patient care through a holistic lens, prioritizing cultural safety, and considering not just the medical issues but also the social and environmental factors that shape health outcomes. As a future physician, this experience has emphasized the value of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration, public health perspectives, and evidence-based interventions in addressing complex global health challenges. It has also sharpened my research skills, which will be critical in staying current with evolving medical knowledge and improving patient care.

What are the next steps for your research?
The next steps involve building on the findings of this review to explore targeted interventions that can mitigate the musculoskeletal impacts of water fetching. Future research should focus on developing culturally appropriate, ergonomic tools and community-based strategies to reduce the physical burden on women and the elderly. Additionally, addressing the gendered barriers in water management and decision-making processes is essential. Collaborating with local communities and stakeholders in SSA will be key to implementing sustainable solutions that promote both physical health and gender equity.

View the full article.

The Southern Medical Program is thrilled to welcome its largest class ever of 40 new students in addition to our returning students for a new academic year. Meet some of our new and returning SMP students.

Amelia Martzke, Year 1
Hometown: Nelson

What inspired you to pursue your program? 
After completing my undergraduate degree in Health Sciences, I was motivated to pursue a career that would allow me to engage directly with patients in a clinical setting. I have had research experience in the field of sexual and reproductive health and have worked in harm reduction with a non-profit organization for the last few years. I am passionate about working with marginalized populations and providing care to underserved communities with a focus on sexual and reproductive health, gender-affirming care, and mental health and addictions services.

Why did you choose UBC?
I grew up in Nelson, BC, and then moved to Ottawa to complete my undergraduate degree. Since then, I have lived in Nelson for another four years, and have fostered a profound sense of community and belonging in the West Kootenay region. I am passionate about outdoor recreation and mountain sports, and have a strong desire to further explore, study, work, and live in BC. I am excited about the opportunity to continue my studies in BC and look forward to starting this journey at UBC!

What are you most looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to learning in diverse ways, in an environment where special attention has been put into the design of the curriculum and the learning outcomes for students. I am excited for the opportunity to learn in different settings and through distinct methods such as case-based learning, exposure to laboratory and clinical settings, lectures, and seminars. I also look forward to making meaningful connections with other students, professors, preceptors, supervisors, and patients. I am excited about fostering a new community with people from different backgrounds who have diverse experiences from my own.

Dylan Nemes, Year 3
Hometown: Kelowna

What inspired you to pursue your program?
About five years ago, I volunteered as a practice patient for the Southern Medical Program here in Kelowna. I was amazed at the seemingly endless knowledge the first-year students had and was curious about the interpretation of their physical exams. I found myself trying to learn more about their clinical skills when I went home after volunteering. I’ve always known that I wanted to work in a job where I would have the opportunity to meet and help many different people, and where I’d always need to learn new things. And, those patient volunteering sessions set me in the right direction!

Why did you choose UBC?
I knew that I wanted to live in Kelowna to be close to friends and family. My support network is important to my success, and I have a community of people here who I can rely on when I feel like I need it. UBC is also a renowned program for its teaching and innovation, so that was a bonus.

What are you most looking forward to this year?
I cannot wait to start clinical placements. I am excited to build my skillset and learn from the kind and skillful practitioners here in Kelowna. I am also particularly excited for my rural family practice rotation, where I can experience medicine in another part of B.C.

Kayla Korolek, Year 4
Hometown: Prince George

What inspired you to pursue your program?
My decision to pursue medicine is driven by a deep passion for medical science, a genuine compassion for others, and the guidance of inspiring mentors. I am fascinated by the intellectual challenge of medical science, and I thrived on applying physiological concepts to medical cases during undergrad. My natural inclination toward working with people and collaborating with both patients and colleagues has always been a significant motivator to pursue medicine. Additionally, the example set by a few inspiring peers who were pursuing medicine further solidified my commitment to this path.

Why did you choose UBC?
I chose UBC for its distinguished medical program and the advantage of staying close to home. The opportunity to study in Kelowna, with its smaller class sizes and proximity to Okanagan Lake and Big White, perfectly aligned with my preferences. The positive reputation of the Kelowna cohort and its fit with my personal interests made it an ideal choice for my medical education.

What are you most looking forward to this year?
This year, I am most excited about cherishing time with my fourth-year friends before we embark on our separate residency paths. I am eager to finalize my career direction and discover which specialty I will be matched to through the Canadian Residency Match Service. Additionally, I look forward to transitioning from medical student to resident doctor.

Richard Mageto, Year 2
Hometown: Surrey, BC

What inspired you to pursue your program? 
I started undergrad in Kamloops as a kid who wanted to play basketball with no real plans after that. It wasn’t until my third year that I began thinking about what I would like to pursue. After reflecting on the impact that a missionary doctor had on my family when we lived in Kenya, I decided to purse medicine and never looked back.

Why did you choose UBC?
I chose UBC because of UBC medicine’s excellence in being recognized as one of the top programs in the country and because of the faculty’s commitment to diversity. Additionally, staying in BC gave me the opportunity to stay close to my family.

What are you most looking forward to this year? 
I’m looking forward to meeting the incoming first year students, doing more hands-on learning, and a potential trip with my classmates during our winter break.

September Stefani, Year 2
Hometown: Rossland

What inspired you to pursue your program? 
In high school, a career in the healthcare field was never really on my radar, I had my heart set on architecture. However, I was a lifeguard and therefore had to take lots of first aid courses to be certified. In the middle of one of these courses I had a moment of realization that I loved learning about how to help people and how to act quick in emergency scenarios. During my undergraduate degree, I gravitated towards courses that focused on how the human body works and things that can cause it to go wrong (such as viruses, bacteria, trauma, diseases, etc).

Why did you choose UBC? 
I was born and raised in small town BC, so I knew I wanted to try and stay close to home for my post-secondary education. I was also intrigued by the ICC program (Inter Community Clerkship) option available in 3rd year as right now I would like to end up practicing in a rural area I believe that the ICC program will be a great opportunity for me to gain the unique skills needed to practice medicine in a rural setting.

What are you most looking forward to this year?
I’m really looking forward to seeing all of my classmates again! We have a really great group of people in the Class of 2027. Also, learning lots of cool things, getting more hands-on experience and of course skiing at Big White!

Quinn D Krahn, Year 4
Hometown: Kelowna

What inspired you to pursue your program? 
As a kid, and to my mother’s bane, my favorite questions were always why and how. “Just Because” was never good enough. My curiosity eventually led to an interest in medicine. For me, it is the cutting edge of science, the crux of ethics and philosophy, and an enigma of wonder. My initial interests have shifted during my studies, but the same excitement and curiosity remains. I couldn’t be happier in the career that I have chosen to pursue.

Why did you choose UBC?
UBC was a simple choice for me. I studied at UBCO during my undergrad and knowing that I would likely not be able to continue residency programs at my hometown of Kelowna I made my best effort to try and stay close to family. I was also initially drawn by UBC’s spiral curriculum, and its dedication and commitments to student and physician wellbeing.

What are you most looking forward to this year?
As with most of my peers I am looking forward to the ever daunting “match day”. I cannot wait to see where my peers and I will match to and what new journey beyond med school is in store for us. For now I am happy to have electives that are taking me around the province and the opportunity I have to work with so many amazing people.

The Southern Medical Program is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Battsetseg (Tseegii) Batchuluun as the new Assistant Professor of Teaching (tenure-track) for the Southern Medical Program, effective September 1, 2024. Dr. Batchuluun presently works as a postdoctoral fellow and course instructor with the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University.

Dr. Batchuluun completed her medical degree and internal medical residency with the National University of Medical Sciences in Mongolia. While practicing in Japan, she earned her PhD from Kyushu University with a focus on cardiovascular complications of diabetes. In 2014, she relocated to Canada to pursue an academic career. During the past ten years, she has served as a postdoctoral fellow with the University of Toronto and the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute. At McMaster University, she has taught a diversity of topics including nutrition and metabolism, molecular mechanisms of common diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, and the role of stem cells in developing regenerative medicine.

As Assistant Professor of Teaching for the SMP, Dr. Batchuluun will support the undergraduate and postgraduate teaching activities of the Faculty of Medicine. She will work closely with the distributed sites and UBC departments to support educational leadership activities that advance medical education across the province.

Dr. Ryan Hoiland has been appointed Assistant Professor (tenure-track) with the Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences (CPS) and Investigator with the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management (CCDPM) effective July 1, 2024.

Dr. Hoiland completed his PhD and MSc in Interdisciplinary Studies with UBC Okanagan’s School of Health and Exercise Sciences where he was awarded the Governor General’s Gold Medal. His graduate training focused on the physiologic mechanisms that regulate and preserve oxygen delivery to the human brain in acute and chronic hypoxic settings. As a postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Hoiland joined Vancouver General Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit research team in 2019, and the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) in 2020.

Most recently, he has served as an Assistant Professor (grant tenure) with the Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Medicine, Division of Critical Care Medicine. In his new role, Dr. Hoiland will lead a research program that simultaneously integrates basic and clinical research on acute brain injury and advances the research priorities of the CCDPM and the Department of CPS.

Each year, Southern Medical Program (SMP) students recognize outstanding faculty and staff across the BC Interior for making exceptional contributions to their medical education. A special congratulations to the 2024 recipients and thank you for your commitment to medical education.

Year 1 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award Dr. Mike DeLorme, Adjunct Professor, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Year 2 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award Dr. Richard Hooper, Clinical Associate Professor, UBC Department of Medicine
Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Kamloops Dr. Melissa Paquette, Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Pediatrics
Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Kelowna Dr. Aaron Jackson, Clinical Instructor, UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Trail Dr. Hannah Mackenzie, Clinical Instructor, UBC Department of Medicine
Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Vernon Dr. Mathilde “Tilly” Buys, Clinical Instructor, UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics
2024 Southern Medical Program Graduating Class Award Winners—Co-Recipient Dr. Allan Jones, Professor, UBC Department of Medicine
2024 Southern Medical Program Graduating Class Award Winners—Co-Recipient Dr. Delilah Topic—Clinical Associate Professor, UBC Department of Medicine
2024 Southern Medical Program Graduating Class Award Winners—Co-Recipient Dr. Kayla Parker—Clinical Instructor, UBC Department of Pediatrics

Dr. Tara Gill has been appointed the new Faculty Development Director for the Southern Medical Program (SMP) effective June 1, 2024. Dr. Gill will continue in her role as the Site Director for the Trail Integrated Community Clerkship (ICC). Dr. Gill is an emergency medicine physician who has worked at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) for the past 18 years. She is also a Clinical Instructor with the UBC Department of Family Practice.

Dr. Gill completed her medical degree at the University of Toronto and residency training at UBC and Queen’s University. For the past three years, Dr. Gill has led the development and delivery of the Trail ICC program. She has also served as a preceptor for countless learners at KBRH and those training with the Interior Health Rural Mobile Simulation program. Most recently, she serves as the Lead for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Working Group at KBRH and a member of the Regional Gender Equity Table Kootenay Boundary. Outside of medicine, Dr. Gill loves spending time outdoors skiing and biking with her family and friends in the Kootenays.

As the new Faculty Development Director, Dr. Gill will help foster a culture of teaching excellence throughout the Interior Health region. She will also leverage learning and training resources to deliver faculty development opportunities that advance teaching excellence and leadership.

Congratulations to the Southern Medical Program Class of 2024 on your graduation and earning your medical degrees. This year’s graduation class includes 35 new medical doctors educated and trained in the Interior Health region. Meet some of our newest SMP graduates:

Aneesha Thouli
Hometown: Kelowna

What attracted you to your field?
The ability to help such a diverse group of people is one of the biggest things that drew me to medicine. I’ve always had an interest in working in a hospital. My mom is an x-ray technician at Kelowna General Hospital so I spent a lot of my childhood hearing cool stories and getting to go to work with her!

What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?
One of my favourite moments was getting to work with my mom during my clerkship. It was a really cool experience to have that opportunity being fortunate enough to train in the same hospital I grew up in!

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Take time to enjoy yourself, spend time with your classmates – they will become your family, and fully experience medical school. You’ll be done sooner than you think, and you’ll want those memories to hold on to! Oh, and there will always be time to study, so say yes to as many of the cool opportunities you can.

What’s next for you?
I’m heading to Vancouver to start my Emergency Medicine residency at Vancouver General!

What are you looking forward to most about the program you’ve matched to and the community you’ll be joining as a future resident?
I’ve always lived in Kelowna so I’m excited to explore the coast. The residents there seem amazing and I’m excited to learn from really talented doctors over the next 5 years.

Nicole Hawe
Hometown: Nakusp

What attracted you to your field?
Growing up in rural BC, I was constantly in awe of the rural docs there and how important they were in our community. This shaped my desire to pursue rural medicine. In clerkship, I had the opportunity to work with some amazing rural Internists and I was hooked. I found the breadth of practice, acuity and complexity challenging yet so rewarding which drove my decision to pursue this career path.

What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?
There have been too many amazing moments with the SMP crew to name them all. The moment that sticks out the most has been the new development of our Overcooked video game obsession over the past 5 months. It has been so nice to finally get to spend quality time together after the hectic travel of 4^th year. I will miss you all so much.

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Medicine can feel very all-encompassing at times. Maintaining key aspects of your life that make you feel yourself and grounded is extremely important. You need to feel your best in order to serve others to the best of your ability. It may feel like you never have enough time, but continuing friendships outside of medicine and keeping up with hobbies that bring joy are things I made nonnegotiable and I am very grateful for that.

What’s next for you?
I am thrilled to be starting residency in the UBC Fraser Valley Internal Medicine program. This is a new program with a small cohort of only 5 residents and we will have the chance to learn in many different communities within the Fraser Valley. My end goal is to practice General Internal Medicine in a smaller, rural community in BC.

What are you looking forward to most about the program you’ve matched to and the community you’ll be joining as a future resident?
I am so excited to be joining a program in its first year. I think we will have so many opportunities to help shape the future of this program while leading following years in the process. Having the opportunity to learn in many different communities throughout residency will also keep the learning fresh and allow me to develop a wide breadth of skills that will be so helpful in future practice.

Emmet Suttill
Hometown: Kamloops

What attracted you to your field?
I was attracted to family medicine for the flexibility and broad scope of practice. The ability to work across emergency departments, hospital wards and health clinics is highly appealing to me, and I think it keeps things exciting.

What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?
Late nights with friends while on call. Putting in the work and having shared experiences really strengthens friendships. Many of my fondest memories are of having a brief rest late at night with some buddies and sharing laughs over vending machine snacks and ramen noodles. That camaraderie is something that I will remember forever.

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Laughter is the best medicine, so have fun!

What’s next for you?
I have some time off before residency, so in between relocating and finishing my pre-residency checklist, I’ll be backpacking across southeast Asia as well as white-water raft guiding!

Afterwards, I’ll be moving to Chilliwack to start my family medicine residency.

What are you looking forward to most about the program you’ve matched to and the community you’ll be joining as a future resident?
I’m very excited for Chilliwack’s longitudinal emergency medicine training, as I’m someone who learns well from hands-on experience and I know that the program excels in this area.

I’m also excited to move to Chilliwack because I’ve heard that they have good mountain biking and awesome white-water kayaking on the Chehalis and Chilliwack rivers!