Morgan Reid (she/her) is a 2023 graduate of the Bachelor of Midwifery program at UBC. Before attending UBC, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology through the University of Victoria. While studying in Victoria, Morgan had the privilege of volunteering with VIKEs Nation, Exercise is Medicine UVic, Canucks Autism Network, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and Victoria Women’s Transition House. She grew up on rural Gabriola Island, a short 20-minute from Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, and loves spending time outdoors. Morgan enjoys camping, boating, weight lifting, golfing (although admittedly not well), skiing, and reading on the beach. Since graduating, her goal has been to read 50 fiction books in 2023, while transitioning into working as a registered midwife in her current home community of Nanaimo.
What drew you to the Bachelor of Midwifery (BMw) degree at UBC?
I’ve always been passionate about healthcare and interested in family health, but for as long as I remember my plan was to pursue a Master of Physical Therapy. Once I graduated from the University of Victoria (UVic), I took a year off to work and found that I was called towards maternity care. I grew up with wonderful midwife role models on Gabriola, and my brother was born at home in 1999, so I have always had a positive experience with the profession. Once I began the application process it felt as though everything was falling into place; the program has only validated those feelings further.
How has studying in the BMW program made an impact on you?
The most impactful experience of the program is having families consent to me being part of their journey into parenthood and through loss. It is an amazing privilege to participate in such a transformative experience in people’s lives and their communities. I feel very humbled by the massive variety of human experience that health care providers get to interact with.
What was something you learned in the BMw program that surprised you?
How far midwifery has come in BC, but also how much further we have to go. Midwives continue to play a vital role in addressing the health care crisis in BC.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic change your educational plans and how did it strengthened your future practice?
The pandemic cut my first year short, it felt like an abrupt and sad end to the only year my class would spend together as a cohort. Moving online on-the-fly forced us all to be flexible, patient, and gracious with each other. I think at times this was very frustrating, but taught me to value the in-person time we were allowed. Thankfully my class has been able to graduate on time, and we are hopefully more resilient and practiced at creative problem solving.
Where do you find inspiration?
I’m continually inspired by my fellow midwifery students and their willingness to share their experiences and learning. They are such great supporters, role models, and we all have helped to hold each other accountable to our learning and clients.
What are your plans after graduation?
I spent my fourth-year placements in my home community and have been invited to join the same practice in the fall. I am very excited to return to a familiar hospital, clinic, and my clients. My long-term plan is to continue working on Vancouver Island, with a goal of opening a birthing center to help serve rural and remote northern birthers who are displaced due to lack of services.
What does a healthy society mean to you?
To me, a healthy society means people are able to live happy, fulfilling lives without concerns about accessing care when needed. It means access to equitable care for all in order to meet individual needs and address the health influences of colonialism, racism, and income disparity. My hope is that we will be able to transition into a system that allows for preventative medicine and primary care for all families.
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