Dr. Lisa Weger (she/her) is a family physician specializing in geriatric care and a passionate medical educator at UBC. Her academic journey includes a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Health Administration, and her MD (Island Medical Program) from UBC, followed by a Family Medicine residency at the University of Alberta and a Care of the Elderly residency at UBC. Currently based in Vancouver, Dr. Weger practices geriatric-focused hospital medicine at UBC and Vancouver General Hospital. She also holds leadership roles as chair of the Seniors and Frail Elder Committee through the Vancouver Divisions of Family Practice and as education chair of the provincial Care of the Elderly Committee.
Dr. Weger’s commitment to fostering the next generation of physicians shines through her various roles at UBC. She mentors students in the MD undergraduate and postgraduate programs and serves as Faculty Lead for the Curriculum Management Unit of the MD Undergraduate Program, where she blends her clinical expertise with her dedication to advancing medical education.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Weger enjoys spending time with family and friends, going for walks, running, and afternoon tea.
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.
What advice would you give alumni who are considering becoming a preceptor?
There are so many different ways you can get involved in medical education as a preceptor from having learners in your medical office or bedside clinical teaching to facilitating seminars and tutoring case based learning, there are so many opportunities. Find an area that interests you and try it out. Speak to your colleagues who are preceptors about their experiences. Becoming a preceptor can be such a rewarding addition to your medical career. Students and residents are so appreciative of the knowledge and clinical pearls that we can pass along.
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.
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 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!
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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