Program: Indigenous Family Medicine Residency
Year graduated: 2017
Current position: Family Physician
Location: Victoria
In my upbringing, it is often taught that we each carry gifts. Those gifts may be apparent at an early age and something we walk with all our lives, while others may take time to present themselves and be unveiled. My inspiration to become a physician, or my journey followed, is more often thought of as ‘a calling’ to this work – the work to listen, support and stand-up others, particularly the health and wellness of Indigenous peoples, is a responsibility I continue to carry. Many Indigenous leaders, healers and knowledge keepers share a vision of seeing our own people in professions such as medicine, and they have worked hard to advocate for admission pathways and wrap-around supports to help our learners through this journey.
As we celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the Indigenous MD Admissions and Indigenous Family Practice Residency programs, we are now witnessing the impact of that work, with UBC’s Faculty of Medicine being a key enabler in supporting Indigenous learners, so that we may share and use our gifts to support the health and wellness of Indigenous peoples and others.
čɛčɛhaθɛč – I thank you