Dr. Lisa Weger (she/her) completed medical school at UBC (Island Medical Program), Family Medicine residency at the University of Alberta and Care of the Elderly residency training at UBC. Prior to medical school, she completed both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Health Administration at UBC. She currently works in Vancouver practicing geriatric focused hospital-based medicine at both UBC and VGH hospitals. She is also the chair of the Seniors and Frail Elder Committee through the Vancouver Divisions of Family Practice and the education chair of the provincial Community Geriatrics Committee. Outside of work, Dr. Weger enjoys spending time with family and friends, going for walks, running and afternoon tea.
What is your favorite memory from your time as a student at UBC?
There are so many great memories to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one! Looking way back to my early days at UBC as I was completing my bachelor of science degree, I really enjoyed heading over to the UBC Student Union Building and treating myself to a cookie from Blue Chip Cafe after an exam or a long study day. Now that I work at UBC hospital I still treat myself to a Blue Chip cookie every so often!
How has your education in the UBC Master of Health Administration and Doctor of Medicine programs influenced your career path?
The leadership skills I acquired during my Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree were an asset to my work prior to medical school as a research coordinator for clinical trials as well as a coordinator for a mobile diabetes screening program in partnership with Carrier Sekani Family Services in Northern B.C. I enjoy administrative roles as well as leadership roles and knew I wanted a medical career that included both clinical and leadership/administrative roles. Taking the skills I’ve learned from my MHA degree (health informatics, strategic management, social determinants of health just to name a few) and incorporating them into my medical administrative roles including being the director of community geriatrics for a time and now as the chair of a frail elder committee and education sub-committee has allowed me to have a career that I find very rewarding.
What has been your involvement with medical education at UBC?
I have been involved with various aspects of medication education over the last few years in both the undergraduate and postgraduate programs. I have been a clinical skills tutor, family practice preceptor, OSCE examiner and a faculty lead for the undergraduate program curriculum management unit and my most recent role addition has been a faculty development associate with the Vancouver Fraser Medical Program.
Can you share your roles in medical education and what you value most from these experiences?
My roles in medical education include being the Faculty Lead, Curriculum Management Unit of the MD Undergraduate Program, being a clinical skills tutor, teaching family practice sessions in the undergraduate program as well as being a clinical preceptor for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. I am also a faculty development associate for the Vancouver Fraser Medical Program. I value the opportunity to collaborate and learn from the amazing leaders of the undergraduate medical program who are constantly striving to make improvements in medical education.
What do you find most rewarding in educating students?
I love being able to witness the excitement that first year medical students have when being introduced to clinical skills and patient encounters. As one gets further along in their medical career certain aspects of medicine can become routine, but seeing the enthusiasm that the students have helps me reflect on the great privilege of not only passing along knowledge I have gained from great preceptors and tutors during my own medical education, but also reminds me to not lose that same eagerness the students display as they are learning and practicing clinical skills.
Also, as students and residents progress in their training it is very rewarding to see their level of confidence in various medical competencies improve.
How do you balance your various commitments of clinical work and medical education?
This is definitely still a work in progress for me. There are certainly opportunities I would like to take on, but know that I cannot due to my already busy schedule. With my current commitments, I schedule dedicated clinical time which remains fairly consistent and dedicated administrative and teaching time which can vary.
There are times of the year where my administrative and medical education work is busier and times when my clinical work and on-call schedule takes priority. I try to adjust my weekly schedule to reflect this but it is not always possible so I do have to work on administrative tasks in the evenings or weekends sometimes. For overall work-life balance I try to stick to a consistent exercise routine and make time to spend with family and friends.
How has your identity affected your perspective on the field of medicine and future pursuits?
Throughout my upbringing I have been very fortunate to have parents who were very supportive and encouraging of me pursuing my university degrees. I entered medical school as a more mature applicant after completing a masters degree and working for several years in clinical research. My work prior to medical school allowed me to see aspects of medicine such as the importance of advocacy and communication skills and motivated me to apply to medical school. Working with a predominantly elderly population as a research coordinator, I enjoyed having the time to listen to stories and getting to know research participants and this strengthened my interest in pursuing an area of medicine that was more geriatric focused.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish?
I hope to accomplish more advocacy and awareness for seniors and frail elder care in the community through not only my clinical work but also through enhancing medical education on this important topic.
What does a healthy society mean to you?
A healthy society to me means equitable access to not only medical resources but also education, nutrition, and housing options for everyone. As a care of the elderly physician, I see the benefit of community resources in enabling older adults to live meaningful independent lives and I envision a healthy society providing equitable access to these resources and services to all older adults in this province.
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