The Southern Medical Program is pleased to welcome our newest students from the SMP Class of 2024. Meet some of our first-year students as they begin their studies in the Okanagan.

Aneesha Thouli
Hometown: Kelowna, BC

What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I’ve always been interested in medicine. My mom is a huge influence in that she works at KGH, so I was exposed to the medical field from an early age. As I got older, I knew I wanted to do something where I could help people and medicine seemed like the perfect fit for that.

What are you most looking forward to this year?
I’m excited to start learning about things I’m passionate about and meet others who share my interests.

How are you making personal wellness a priority during COVID-19?
Checking in on my mental health has been a huge priority for me. It’s easy to get bogged down with all the (mostly discouraging) information coming at us. I’ve had to really make an effort to take some time to myself every day.

Favourite physically-distanced social activity?
Definitely anything outdoors! I love hiking and working out. I just returned from studying in Australia and my favourite activity there was surfing or swimming in the ocean.

Emmet Suttill
Hometown: Kamloops, BC

What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I’ve always been interested in science and medicine, and like the idea of a career where I can problem solve and work with others. However, I was inspired to become a doctor from a positive experience I had with a surgeon when I was younger. When I was younger, family illness was something I was largely unfamiliar with and my mom needed surgery. Her surgeon was able to put my family and I at ease and instill confidence in us by explaining the procedure in simple terms. This experience made me want to be able to help others in the same way.

What are you most looking forward to this year?
I am incredibly excited about pretty much everything, ranging from new friends to the curriculum, but I would have to say I am most excited to learn the essential hands-on skills! COVID-19 is definitely an obstacle to this but I am very confident that we will find ways to work around it.

How are you making personal wellness a priority during COVID-19?
This is definitely a challenging time for everyone, and requires quite a bit of adaptation. I feel that, because of the risks the pandemic poses to our physical health, it has become easier to forget about our mental health. I’ve tried to take care of myself by getting outdoors in socially responsible ways which, in my opinion, has greatly helped both my mental and physical well being.

Favourite physically-distanced social activity?
My favourite physically-distanced social activity would have to be whitewater kayaking. This was my favourite sport prior to the pandemic, and adjusting has required a fair bit of creativity. Ultimately, I have still been able to whitewater kayak while minimizing exposure to my fellow paddlers which has been great!

Sabrina Martini
Hometown: Cranbrook, BC

What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I couldn’t imagine doing anything else! Funnily enough, what first peaked my interest in medicine was when the Healthcare Travelling Roadshow came to my high school.

What are you most looking forward to this year?
I am looking most forward to studying things that I am very interested in and working towards becoming an awesome physician. I am also super excited to meet all of my classmates.

How are you making personal wellness a priority during COVID-19?
During this time I have been making a conscious effort to schedule time for things that make me feel good like facetiming my grandparents, exercising and staying connected to the people who keep me sane.

Favourite physically-distanced social activity?
Hitting the beach, hiking, camping, pretty much anything outdoors!

Sahej Dhak
Hometown: Vanderhoof, BC

What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I had been toying with the idea of medicine since high school, but I was never really committed to it until a few years ago, when both my mother and brother were diagnosed with cancer in the span of a year. Their diagnosis and treatments made me feel frustrated because I wanted to know more about their diseases, more than what a brochure or website could teach me. Also, it was the first time I had ever experienced a serious illness either with myself or in my family. Seeing firsthand how much stress and anxiety it put on us, made me strengthen my resolve to do whatever I could to prevent others from having to go through the same thing. Additionally, I grew up in a household and culture that highly values respecting others and engaging in selfless service, and these values have become a core part of who I am. Combined, these experiences made me very committed to persuading medicine as a means to reduce the suffering of others while being of service to them in a productive and compassionate way.

What are you most looking forward to this year?
There is so much I am looking forward to! Asides from being able to live in the beautiful Okanagan and experience the warm weather, I am most excited to make new friendships with all the other students, faculty, and staff. All the students and faculty I have met from the SMP so far have all been very warm and welcoming. Having attended a small university before coming here, I had formed close connections with most of my class and department, and it is exciting to know that there is also a feeling of being in a close-knit community here.

How are you making personal wellness a priority during COVID-19?
All the uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely been stressful to deal with, especially as a student. I find that keeping myself occupied with essentially any activity helps to keep myself feeling well, especially engaging in my two favourite hobbies: cooking and gardening. I often go for runs and walks, which help me clear my mind, and I frequently call my friends as a means of safely maintaining good social wellbeing.

Favourite physically-distanced social activity?
A few friends and I often have virtual board games night, in which we video-call each other and then play some online board games together. I love playing board games and I’ve learned how to play some very interesting new ones during this time.

The Digital Technology Supercluster recently announced their co-investment of $1.4M in a new $1.8M project that will help keep patients healthy, connected and supported at home.

The Stronger Together: Social Infrastructure for Community Health project will combine a private social network that uses AI, matchmaking and machine learning to connect patients to support with an advanced, real time patient monitoring platform. This new tool will keep patients healthy at home while providing the healthcare system with a single, comprehensive solution.

Led by Curatio, a digital health company headquartered in B.C., the project was sparked by the urgent need to give healthcare organizations new tools to support patients. The project partners are also contributing funding and resources to launch the new platform.

“For patients and families living with a chronic condition, a health challenge, disability or awaiting surgery, COVID-19 has meant they can’t access support programs as they did previously. At the same time, healthcare and community organizations need new technologies that can be quickly rolled out to connect, support and deliver care at scale. At Curatio, we believe that no patient should be alone when facing a health issue. We are honoured to be working with Cloud DX and our project partners to develop a single solution that has the potential to help all Canadians lead their healthiest, most connected lives.” says Lynda Brown-Ganzert, CEO of Curatio. 

Researchers with the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management (CCDPM) will collaborate with Interior Health to develop evidence-based resources and strategies that leverage Curatio’s dynamic technology.

“This new industry partnership will allow our researchers to conduct effective knowledge exchange despite geographical challenges,” says Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis. “It will also allow graduate and undergraduate students to engage in content development and evaluation that directly supports patients”.

The Digital Technology Supercluster solves some of industry’s and society’s biggest problems through Canadian-made technologies. Bringing together private and public sector organizations of all sizes to address challenges facing Canada’s economic sectors including healthcare, natural resources, manufacturing and transportation, the Supercluster helps to drive solutions better than any single organization could on its own.  

The Power of Positive

Throughout his training with the Southern Medical Program, Dr. Jeremy Dick experienced the impact and transformative nature of the relationship between physicians and patients.

One particular encounter that really stuck with him was during his training at Kelowna General Hospital. On his six-week pediatrics rotation, Dick assisted with the delivery of a new baby and witnessed the pure joy of new parents welcoming their first child into the world.

“The father stood next to me, full of admiration as he stared down at their new baby,” says Dick. “It was an amazing experience and I was so grateful to have been able to share in their excitement.”

Weeks later, Dick unexpectedly ran into the same couple and their newborn in the clinic. They instantly recognized him and together they reconnected over one of their happiest moments in their lives.

“Seeing the parents again reminded me how positive patient experiences can have such a lasting and memorable impact,” says Dick.

Originally from Summerland, Dick completed a BSc at UBC’s Vancouver campus before returning to the region to study with the SMP. Drawn to the program to be closer to family, he also thrived in the smaller class size offered at UBC Okanagan.

“Going through medical school with the smaller number of learners, you get to work more closely with your preceptors and have the opportunity to be more hands-on with procedures,” says Dick.

It was during shadowing sessions with local radiologists and observing the advanced technology used in patient care that Dick ignited his passion for the field of radiology.

“Radiology allows you to see inside the human body without the need of disrupting tissue,” says Dick. “The cerebral nature of the field and endless problem-solving are ultimately the best fit for my future practice.”

Dick now heads off to the University of Ottawa for five years with their Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program. Thinking back on his time with SMP, he remains open to the possibility of returning to practice in the region.

“I have so many positive memories from my time in Kelowna and would be open to practice in a smaller BC city,” says Dick. “It has been an amazing experience and I’m truly grateful for everyone’s support.”

Family Through and Through

Dr. Alysson Hamilton always knew she wanted become a family doctor, but her career aspirations first took a backseat to podium dreams on the international cross-country ski circuit.

Hamilton competed around the world and built an impressive athletic record as a member of the Canadian national ski team.

When the time came for her to leave the sport, she focused her sights on a UBC medical degree. Originally from Salmon Arm, she was drawn to the Southern Medical Program’s intimate learning environment and the opportunity to be closer to family.

“The faculty and administration are so welcoming that you feel like you’re part of a big family,” says Hamilton. “Students are given the space to learn and our classmates really support each other through the challenges of medical school.”

Hamilton credits Healer’s Art, a discovery model curriculum on values, identity and professionalism, as an invaluable resource to her personal growth and learning. The program creates a safe space for students to reflect and share their successes and challenges with their peers.

In the final year of her degree, Hamilton returned to her hometown to work as part of a health clinic at Salmon Arm Secondary School. The clinic brings together physicians and allied health professionals to offer accessible health services such as addictions counselling and sexual health for high school students.

“It really shows you the power of a small community with people coming together to make things happen and looking out for each other,” says Hamilton.

Ultimately, it’s the familiarity and strength of small communities that solidified her interest in rural family medicine.

“I want to be able to develop life-long connections with my patients – treat the whole person, their individuality, and their families,” says Hamilton. “It’s been shown that long-term relationships with patients equate to better health and it ties closely with my passion for lifestyle and behavior change.”

As a newly-graduated physician, Hamilton leaves the Okanagan for the Kootenay Boundary region and two years of family medicine training. She ultimately plans to practice within the Interior, and is loving the idea of getting reacquainted with the phenomenal cross-country trail system in her new community of Rossland.

Each year, Southern Medical Program (SMP) students from across the Interior Health region highlight individual faculty and staff who have made significant contributions to their education.

The 2020 SMP Excellence Award recipients are recognized for their dedication and outstanding support for students across all four years and the SMP’s distributed education sites.

Year 1 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award
Allison Gilbert, Program Manager, Years 1 & 2, Course Manager, MEDD 412

Year 2 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award
Carmen Sigalet, Clinical Instructor, Department of Family Practice

Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Kamloops
Dr. Hilary Baikie, Clinical Instructor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Kelowna
Dr. Alysha MacKenzie-Feder, Clinical Instructor, Department of Pediatrics

Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Kelowna
Dr. Michael MacLeod, Clinical Instructor, Department of Surgery

Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Trail
Dr. Ryan Truant, Clinical Instructor, Department of Anesthesia, Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Vernon
Dr. Riley Martin, Clinical Instructor, Department of Emergency Medicine

Year 3 Southern Medical Program Excellence Award – Vernon
Dr. Brett Wilson, Clinical Instructor, Department of Emergency Medicine

Southern Medical Program Graduating Class Award
Dr. Olusegun Oyedele, Senior Instructor, Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences & MEDD 412 Course Co-Director

Southern Medical Program Graduating Class Award
Dr. Remy Wong, Clinical Instructor, Department of Medicine, Division of Community Internal Medicine

Congratulations to the Southern Medical Program (SMP) Class of 2020 on graduating from medical school and earning their medical degrees.

Our new graduates now head off across BC and Canada to pursue their passions and future career paths as family physicians and specialists.

Here are a few highlights from the SMP Class of 2020:

• 32 new physicians educated and trained in the BC Interior.
•  17 graduates matched to family medicine including two graduates in the BC Interior with the Kamloops and Kootenay Boundary sites.
• 15 graduates matched to Royal College specialty programs including anesthesiology (2), dermatology, diagnostic radiology, emergency medicine, internal medicine (2), neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics (2), psychiatry (3), and vascular surgery.
• 13 students matched to UBC residency programs.

Read the SMP Class of 2020 Graduation Newsletter.

The Reichwald Family Foundation Southern Medical Program (SMP) award recognizes two second-year SMP students for excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. This year’s recipients Katie Harding and Richard Xiang exemplify a commitment to both medical education and community support.

Born and raised in Salmon Arm, Katie Harding completed a BScN and worked as a registered nurse prior to enrolling with the SMP. Harding has served as the Vice President Academic for the SMP in addition to contributing to the Peer Mentorship in Medical Education Program. She has also volunteered within the community as a Special Olympics coach and leader at the Foundry’s Run for It Program. Additionally, Harding is working with the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management to develop a student-run clinic in Kelowna that supports and enhances the chronic care for stroke survivors.

“I am deeply moved to have been chosen as one of the recipients for this award and want to give my most heartfelt thanks to the Reichwald family for their generosity,” says Harding. “Receiving this award is a true honour.”

Born in Sacramento and raised in Penticton, Richard Xiang was in the process of earning a BSc in Microbiology at UBC’s Vancouver campus before returning to the Okanagan to study medicine. He currently serves as a student representative on the Undergraduate Medical Education Committee and as a SMP FLEX Representative. Xiang volunteers as a Special Olympics soccer and powerlifting coach and participates in the UBC Interprofessional Health Mentors Program. Most recently, Xiang has been volunteering as a student representative on various COVID-19 related UGME committees responsible for curriculum delivery.

“The Reichwald family has been instrumental in the success of the Southern Medical Program and I thank them for their generous support and commitment to educating future health care professionals in the Interior,” says Xiang. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that this scholarship provides and I look forward to serving our community to the best of my ability.”

While many Canadians stay at home and follow physical distancing measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, home is not always the safest place. The World Health Organization reports a worldwide increase in rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) since the beginning of the outbreak.

To help support this at-risk population locally, a group of Southern Medical Program (SMP) students recently launched an online awareness and fundraising campaign to support the Kelowna Women’s Shelter. We checked in with SMP student Stacy Dikareva to learn more.

How did you get involved?
At the onset of the pandemic, a local family physician, Dr. Marjorie Docherty, raised the issue of IPV and encouraged SMP students to come up with a way to address the potential lack of community supports for survivors. To address this need, a group of students with a shared interest in women’s health formed the Kelowna Women’s Safety Initiative. Our team includes Amy Dawson, Kyla Freeman, Remi Kandal, Tanelle Smith, Emily Wiesenthal, and myself.

What are some of the biggest challenges?
Unfortunately, one in three women experience IPV in their lifetime, and every week a woman is killed by IPV in Canada. Anti-violence programs in BC have also seen an increase in use of their services during this time. IPV is typically framed as violence against cis-gender women in heterosexual relationships, but occurs across all gender identities and sexual orientations. Physical and social distancing measures associated with the pandemic have further isolated survivors, and created new avenues by which abusers can intimidate their partners.

Kelowna Women’s Shelter has been supporting survivors of IPV in Kelowna for 40 years. They provide shelter, food, in-person and telephone counselling, safety planning, and outreach support. Unfortunately, the Shelter has experienced significant loss of revenue through closure of their thrift store and cancellation of fundraising events. Physical donations are being accepted in limited quantities in keeping with public health measures.

Thus, Kelowna Women’s Safety Initiative was formed with three goals in mind. First, our goal is to raise funds for the Kelowna Women’s Shelter and help support survivors in our community. Second, we aim to promote the essential services of the Shelter being offered to survivors at this time. And finally, we hope to increase awareness around IPV in the context of this pandemic among physicians, patients, and the public.

How can people support the campaign?
(1) Donate to the campaign: https://trellis.org/kwscovid19. All donations are processed electronically, go directly to Kelowna Women’s Shelter, and any donation over $20 is automatically issued a tax receipt. For the month of June, we will be holding a silent auction featuring items from some of Okanagan’s amazing businesses, artists, and artisans. You may choose to bid in the silent auction, donate directly to the campaign, or both!

(2) Be an advocate and help spread awareness of IPV in your community. Follow @kelownawomensshelter as well as our initiative @kelownawsi, and share the campaign link https://trellis.org/kwscovid19.

(3) Be someone’s safe space. Learn about abusive behaviour – survivors of abuse often feel trapped and isolated from their supports. Physical distancing requirements have increased isolation. Reach out to someone who may be at risk of experiencing violence. Survivors may not be able to respond freely around their abuser, so reach out in various ways (texting, calling, or social media). Help survivors access supports and find a women’s shelter in BC.

For more information, please contact Stacy Dikareva at anastasia.dikareva@alumni.ubc.ca.

Dr. Diana Fort has been appointed Portfolio Site Lead, Student Assessment for the Southern Medical Program (SMP). Dr. Fort is an Emergency Medicine physician based in Kelowna, Clinical Assistant Professor with the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine, and former Site Leader, Undergraduate Education, Kelowna General Hospital (KGH).

From 2016-2018, Dr. Fort helped lead the development of undergraduate medical education at KGH and championed education opportunities from both learning and teaching perspectives. 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 Clinical Educator Fellow with the Faculty of Medicine’s Centre for Health Education Scholarship and is in the process of completing a Master of Health Professions Education degree.

As Portfolio Site Lead, Student Assessment, Dr. Fort will provide leadership and general oversight of the SMP Portfolio program and help optimize the educational experience for SMP students completing Portfolio components.

The UBC Faculty of Medicine has appointed Dr. Sarah Brears as the new Regional Associate Dean, Interior.

Dr. Brears was appointed Interim, Regional Associate Dean, Interior in May 2019. With her new appointment, effective June 1st, 2020, she will continue to provide strategic leadership of the Faculty’s undergraduate and postgraduate medical education programs for the Interior. This includes working collaboratively with partners, including Interior Health and UBC Okanagan, to ensure a high-quality educational experience for all of our learners in the region, as well as facilitating the health research strategy for the Interior.

Dr. Brears is a clinical faculty member of the UBC Department of Family Practice. Since joining the Southern Medical Program (SMP) in 2012, she has served as the Family Practice Site Director for Years 1 and 2, as well as the Clinical Experiences Integration Co-Lead and the MEDD 422 Course Co-Director. Prior to joining the SMP, Dr. Brears was with the University of Alberta’s Department of Family Practice, and served as the Regional Site Coordinator for the Alberta Rural Family Medicine Network in Grand Prairie.