Dr. Jim Huang
Southern Medical Program Class of 2015

Current Job Title: 
Rural Family Medicine Resident Year 2, Kelowna

Tell us what you do at your workplace:
I model rural family doctors by taking care of hospital patients, managing the emergency department, and see patients in the family doctor’s clinic.  The family doctors take care of the towns where there are no specialists.

What attracted you to a career in medicine?
Being able to make direct and meaningful impact on people’s lives every day.

Today in healthcare it’s important to…
Treat patients as people, not as diagnoses.

What is the best professional advice you received?
Never stop listening to that feeling that something doesn’t seem quite right.

What is your favourite memory at the Faculty of Medicine?
Being able to graduate with me peers while helping to shape the SMP in it’s infancy.

What advice to you have for current medical students?
Always leave time for yourself and the ones closest to you.  The medicine will always be there.

Bucket list item?
Compete in a triathlon.

The Southern Medical Program invites you to join health professional students, faculty, and staff for the 2017 UBC Okanagan Interdisciplinary Health Conference.

Thursday, March 16, 2017 | Doors open at 6:00 pm | Presentations start @ 6:20 pm
UBC Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Academic Campus, 2312 Pandosy Street, Kelowna

Featuring poster presentations from Southern Medical Program and UBC Okanagan Health Sciences students and special guest speaker Dr. Deanna Gibson, Associate Professor, Biology at UBC Okanagan. Join us as students share their research and public health experiences with the local health professional community.

No cost to attend. For more info, contact Carolyn Roque at carolyn.roque@ubc.ca or 250-807-9827.

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.

(L-R): Shari Slattery, CMHA Kelowna, Southern Medical Program students Liam Matthews, Cameron Oliver, Brandon Evtushevski, Stephen Watson, Stephanie Maguire, MNP and Wayne McNiven, Scotiabank.

Second-year Southern Medical Program (SMP) students Brandon Evtushevski, Liam Matthews, Cameron Oliver, and Stephen Watson wanted to make an impact when organizing the 2016 SMP Student Golf Tournament. They decided to partner with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna to help support mental health initiatives in the community.

“Mental health touches everyone’s life in one capacity or another,” says the SMP tournament organizers. “We were thrilled to partner with CMHA Kelowna to help spread awareness for mental illness and raise funds for the development of the BC Integrated Youth Services Initiative.”

Around 100 golfers attended the tournament and dinner at the Harvest Golf Club last October. With the help of numerous sponsors and the local community, the students were able to raise $11,500 with additional $5,000 matched by Scotiabank.

“It is great to see young people, especially future medical professionals, take an interest in supporting the mental health of children, youth, and families in our community,” says Shari Slattery, Fund Development Coordinator at CMHA Kelowna. “We are incredibly grateful for their support.”

The grand total of $16,500 will be used to support Kelowna youth struggling with mental illness and addiction. The students would like to extend their gratitude to the Kelowna community for generously supporting both the tournament and this worthwhile cause.

The UBC Faculty of Medicine Southern Medical Program is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Diana Fort to Site Leader, Undergraduate Education, Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) effective immediately. Over the past year, Dr. Fort has served alongside Dr. Cheryl Holmes as Co-Site Leader and played a key role in the continued development and sustainability of the third-year clerkship program at KGH. As stated earlier, Dr. Holmes has recently left her post at the SMP to pursue her new role as Interim Assistant Dean, Curriculum for the UBC Faculty of Medicine.

Dr. Fort is an Emergency Medicine physician based in Penticton and Clinical Assistant Professor with the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine. She completed her medical degree at Queen’s University and Emergency Medicine residency training with the University of Southern California and the University of Toronto. Dr. Fort is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Canada and has served as co-executive director for the Penticton Emergency Physicians Group and member of the IHA and Penticton Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committees.

We are truly fortunate to have Dr. Fort increase her role in leading the clerkship program at KGH. Please join me in acknowledging Dr. Fort’s contributions to the ongoing success of our program and our students.

The Southern Medical Program officially welcomed our newest class to their new home at UBC Okanagan. Here’s a quick Q&A with some of our new students.

Breanne Cadham
Hometown: Kelowna, BC

What attracted you to the field of medicine?
When I was young I was always interested in becoming a doctor, mostly because it was one of the five careers I knew existed. As I started post secondary education and volunteering in the healthcare field, though, my interest in the profession grew. The diversity in medicine is what most attracts me. I love that I will get to work with a variety of individuals, both professionals and patients and get to learn about so many different ailments and specialties.

What are you most excited about beginning your studies with the Southern Medical Program?
Our class! Everybody in the SMP class is wonderful, I feel very privileged to be able to share the next four years growing with them. It is also very special to be able to learn in Kelowna, a community I have been connected to my whole life.

What do you like to do in your spare time to relax and have fun?
I love being outside, though in the winter pretty much the only thing I will brave the cold for is cross-country skiing. But in better weather I really enjoy biking and running. I am currently learning how to swim so I can train for a sprint triathlon this summer. Our SMP 2020 class is very active which has helped me try new activities and is a great motivator.

What’s one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
I was Kelowna’s Princess in the Lady of the Lake Ambassador Program in 2008/2009. And yes, I wore a tiara.

Gabriella Martine
Hometown: Oliver, BC

What attracted you to the field of medicine?
I decided to go into medicine because I wanted to blend my passion for science and learning (and I hear the learning never stops in the field of medicine!) with my passion for working with other people. During my undergraduate degree, my Biology and Health Science program stimulated my scientific curiosity and my experience working for the residence life program ignited my interest in developing relationships with others in order to support them towards their goals. I think medicine will be a good blend of those things that I will be able to enjoy lifelong.

What are you most excited about beginning your studies with the Southern Medical Program?
I am excited to be part of such a great cohort of amazing people. Being part of a smaller class size, I am excited to get to know my classmates and tutors on a more intimate level which I think will enhance my learning experience. I am also excited to return to the Okanagan and be closer to my family.

What do you like to do in your spare time to relax and have fun?
I enjoy competitive horse-back riding, hiking, running, and yoga. But I also like to relax and watch movies and do some baking (learning some new recipes so I feel more like a self-sufficient adult when I’m in the kitchen).

What’s one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
I live with a chronic illness and although this might seem like private information, I feel it’s important for people to know that health is so much more than just being free of diseases or conditions. Being healthy for me means managing my specific needs and optimizing my happiness with my life.

Arlin Munro
Hometown: Nelson, B.C.

What attracted you to the field of medicine?
I’ve always felt a desire to dedicate myself to public service while also being fascinated by science and the human body, medicine seemed like the perfect mix. I love that medicine will always continue to expand and push the limits and that there are so many different avenues that you can pursue as a physician. Also, medicine offers different opportunities for all different kinds of people, personally I can’t wait for the adrenaline-filled times although that might not be for everyone.

What are you most excited about beginning your studies with the Southern Medical Program?
Well now that the whirlwind of the first semester is over, I’m looking forward to finding a good balance between school and exploring the Okanagan with all my great new classmates. I think we are so fortunate to have a small like-minded group of us in a place with as much to offer as the Okanagan does. I can already tell that I’ll look back fondly on my time spent in the SMP.

What do you like to do in your spare time to relax and have fun?
I’ve been a bit of a sports and fitness junkie for many years. You’ll usually find me in the gym or golfing or playing hockey. I’ve been training with the UBC Mighty Docs already to defend last year’s championship in the 2017 Ice Bowl Hockey Tournament!

What’s one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m actually a bit of a hippy at heart. I’m sure growing up in Nelson had a little something to do with that but I’m a yoga-loving tree-hugger through and through.

Jordan Nostedt
Southern Medical Program Class of 2015

Current Job Title:
PGY 2 Resident, Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, University of Alberta

Tell us what you do at your workplace in two to three sentences.
I am part of the team that cares for surgical patients in the hospital while at the same time completing my training to become a practicing general surgeon.

What attracted you to a career in medicine?
Medicine provides a continuous intellectual challenge while at the same time providing the unique opportunity to have a positive impact on patient’s lives.

Today in healthcare it’s important to…
Stay current. Regardless of your specialty, things are constantly evolving.

What is the best professional advice you received?
Know your patients, read more, be better tomorrow than you were today.

What is your favourite UBC Faculty of Medicine memory?
Spending residency match day with my close friends and fellow classmates

What advice to you have for current medical students?
Try to avoid getting caught up in the idea that you need to make up your mind early on about what you will be doing for the rest of your life. A career in medicine is constantly changing and you will be pulled in many directions during your training. Things have a way of working out, know what is important to you and enjoy the journey along the way.

Bucket list item?
To watch a baseball game live at Fenway Park.

Robyn Buna
Southern Medical Program Class of 2015

Current Job Title:
Pediatrics Resident (PGY2), Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary

Tell us what you do at your workplace.
As a pediatrics resident, I rotate through month-long blocks, primarily at the Children’s Hospital, where I take care of patients alongside the pediatric team (which ranges from just me and the attending physician to teams of 10 or more). As a resident, I am responsible for patient care, but also involved in learning, research, and advocacy projects.

What attracted you to a career in medicine?
I was attracted to medicine first as a career path that involved health care and interactions with patients. As I learned more about medicine, I was excited about the prospect of constant learning, a wide variety of career paths, and, mostly importantly, the opportunity to have a positive impact on my patients and their families.

Current volunteer positions, past job positions, appointments and/or awards received.
Current volunteer projects I am involved in as a resident:
-Clerkship Committee – resident representative for medical student Pediatric Rotations
-Resident Education Group – helping to teach medical students
-Mortality Review Committee – board that reviews deaths within the hospital and means to improve our care of patients
-Global Health Committee – addresses global health, refugee, and other global issues
-Christmas Rounds Committee – annual tradition at ACH
-Provincial Knowledge Topic Lead (bronchiolitis and croup) – topic lead for provincial wide development of practice guidelines

Current research project
-Quality Improvement Study on the current management of bronchiolitis in the ED

Today in healthcare it’s important to…
Get immunized and live a healthy and balanced lifestyle

What is the best professional advice you received?
Be kind to your patients/families.

Be involved in areas in which you have a genuine interest – you are more likely to spend meaningful time and create a positive change.

What is your favourite UBC Faculty of Medicine memory?
Celebrating graduation with our SMP class!

What advice to you have for current medical students?
Find something that you are passionate about and get involved in that.

Remember there is something you can learn from every patient encounter (even in areas that may not be totally relevant to your future career path)

Bucket list item?
Attend a NCAA March Madness Basketball game.

Jennifer McCormack, UBC Faculty of Medicine Vancouver Fraser Medical Program and former Trail Integrated Community Clerkship (ICC) student, has been recognized with the inaugural Undergraduate Narrative Award for Palliative Medicine by the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians. The national award is designed to stimulate undergraduate medical students to think and reflect creatively about the multifaceted aspects of palliative medicine and caring at the end of life.

McCormack’s winning narrative was based on her own emotional struggle encountering a young woman with a terminal cancer diagnosis. She wrote about her experiences during a fourth-year palliative medicine elective in Winnipeg and her struggle facing the realities of medicine’s limitations.

“There are so many diseases and social determinants of health that we do not have the power change,” say McCormack. “Over the course of my clerkship year, I realized I would need to build my resilience so that I would be able to support my patients through tragedy without feeling burdened and burnt out myself. I sought support from mentors and counsellors, as well as exploring the role of palliative care through clinical electives. I drew on both my patient encounters and the words of wisdom from my mentors when composing my submission.”

Now in her fourth year, McCormack plans to purse a career in rural family medicine with a practice she describes as ‘full service, cradle-to-grave.’ Her top choice for residency is with the Kelowna rural family medicine site allowing her to continue her medical training in the BC Interior.