UBC MSAC Rental Contest

UBC MSAC Rental Contest

Win a free rental at the UBC Medical Student & Alumni Centre (MSAC) Vancouver!

Dates and Details:

  • This contest will be run from March 7, 2024 at 8:00 am PT to Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 11:59pm PT and the winner will be selected on or about April 8, 2024.
  • This contest is sponsored by the UBC Medical Student & Alumni Centre.

Eligibility:

  • Entrants must be UBC Faculty of Medicine MD Alumni.
  • This contest is open to entrants residing in Canada during the contest and who are the age of majority in their province of residence, excluding Quebec residents

Prize:

  • A 12-hour rental of Hardwick Hall and Latham Hall at the UBC MSAC Vancouver.
  • Rental must be used for a personal event, not a work/organizational event.
  • Event must occur by April 5, 2025, subject to availability.

How to Enter:

No purchase necessary. Limit of one (1) entry per entrant. Eligible entrants may enter this contest by submitting their name, phone number, email address, and MD Grad year here:

Draw:

  • On or about April 8, 2024, a random draw will be conducted in or in the vicinity of Vancouver, BC by the MSAC Operations and Events Manager from the entries received. The odds of being selected as a potential winner are dependent on the number of entries received. Before being declared a winner of the Prize, the selected potential winner shall be required to: (1) respond to the MSAC Operations and Events Manager per the communication method described below; (2) answer, without assistance of any kind, a mathematical skill-testing question, and to comply with these Contest Rules; (3) provide written release consenting to the use of his/her name, city or province of residence and/or photograph or likeness, without compensation, in any publicity carried out by the UBC MSAC or its advertising and promotional agencies relative to this Contest; and (4) may be required to sign release and indemnity at their expense whereby the winner releases and indemnifies and holds harmless the UBC MSAC, its advertising and promotional agencies, the suppliers of the Prize, and all their respective employees, directors, officers, owners, agents, representatives, successors and assigns from any liability in connection with or arising out of the Contest, the awarding of the Prize, the use of the Prize or the use of any personal information. The selected potential winner of the draw will be notified by telephone or email no later than April 15, 2024.
  • The selected winner of the draw must respond within 10 calendar days by telephone or email to the contact number or email address provided in the contest entry form. The selected potential winner’s response must be received by the MSAC Operations and Events Manager within ten calendar days of the notification. If the selected potential winner fails to meet any of the requirements set out in these Official Contest Rules, they will be disqualified and another entrant will be selected from the remaining eligible entrants and, upon notification, will have ten calendar days to respond.

General Rules

  • By participating in this contest, each entrant and winner agrees to: (a) be bound by these Official Contest Rules and the decisions of the UBC MSAC; and (b) release and hold harmless the UBC MSAC from and against any and all liabilities, losses, claims, demands, costs and expenses (including lawyer’s fees and litigation expenses on a solicitor and own client basis) whatsoever to which any of them may become subject arising from any actions or omissions by the entrant.
  • By participating in this contest, each entrant and winner agrees that the UBC MSAC may post the winner’s name on its website.
  • The decisions of the UBC MSAC in relation to this contest will be final and binding on all entrants.
  • The UBC MSAC reserves the right to cancel, terminate, or suspend this contest, at its discretion, at any time without prior notice.
  • Each Prize claim is subject to verification by the UBC MSAC and/or its designated representatives.
  • Entries made with multiple addresses, under multiple identities, or through the use of any device or other method to enter multiple times or entries that are in excess of the permitted number of entries are automatically void.
  • All contest entries obtained through unauthorized sources or which are incomplete or in any way not in compliance with these Official Contest Rules are automatically void. The UBC MSAC is not responsible for lost or late entries. The UBC MSAC is not responsible for any miscommunications, failed communications systems, software malfunctions, or for any human errors in connection with this contest. The UBC MSAC may suspend or terminate this contest if the UBC MSAC is of the view this contest’s administration or fair play has been compromised.
  • Your personal information is collected by the UBC Faculty of Medicine for the purpose of administering this event. It is also being shared with UBC, which is collected under the authority of section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. We may also use your contact information to update our alumni mailing lists, which are used by both alumni UBC and UBC to keep alumni informed about University news, events and initiatives, including fundraising. Any questions about the collection or use of this information should be forwarded to med.alumni@ubc.ca. This contest is subject to all applicable laws of the Province of British Columbia and the laws of Canada, as well as these Official Contest Rules.

Internet Disclaimer

  • The UBC MSAC and its agents are not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer on-line systems, servers, access providers, computer equipment, traffic congestion or the Internet or any website, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to an entrant’s or any other person’s computer, related to or resulting from downloading any materials in this contest.
  • The UBC MSAC reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel or suspend this contest should a virus, bug or other cause beyond the reasonable control of the UBC MSAC or its agents corrupt the security or proper administration of the contest. Any attempt to deliberately damage any website or to undermine the legitimate operation of this contest is a violation of criminal and civil laws, and should such an attempt be made, The UBC MSAC reserves the right to seek remedies and damages to the fullest extent permitted by law, including criminal prosecution.

Dr. Adrian Yee, MET’20

Dr. Adrian Yee is a 2024 recipient of the UBC Medical Alumni Association Honorary Medical Alumni Award.

Dr. Adrian Yee (he/him/his), is a distinguished leader in medical education.

Dr. Yee completed his MD in Toronto, Hematology training in Edmonton, and the Master of Educational Technology at UBC in 2020. He currently serves as Director of Curriculum for the UBC MD Undergraduate Program. In this role, Dr. Yee provides province-wide curricular leadership, ensuring a high-quality educational experience for UBC medical students across all four sites and four years of the program. Dr. Yee has a passion for community-based and patient-centered innovation. He is the Principal Investigator for innovative projects in Virtual Care, Team-Based Care and Planetary Health. His career goals are to build on the distributed medical education model by advancing social accountability, community-centric education, and Indigenous Reconciliation.

Dr. Yee met his wife, Dr. Janet Mak, at the University of Toronto, and they have two amazing daughters, Michaela and Samantha, who keep him grounded, if not humble. Janet is a family physician with an interest in the care of the elderly. Adrian loves cycling, running, travelling with his family, kayaking, reading novels and listening to his daughters practice violin at home.

What drew you to UBC and the UBC Faculty of Medicine?
I am drawn to the UBC and the UBC Faculty of Medicine because of the commitment to social accountability, serving the communities and innovation. It is a privilege to be part of a dynamic, supportive, and innovative team dedicated to shaping the future of medical education. UBC’s focus on excellence, diversity, and collaboration aligns closely with my values.

I enjoy working with colleagues and learners from diverse backgrounds who bring unique insights and ideas that contribute to a more holistic approach to tackling real-world challenges. I love being challenged to examine our assumptions, to think outside the box, and being pushed to grow personally and professionally.

I am continually humbled by the generosity of my colleagues in sharing their knowledge and expertise. The UBC Faculty of Medicine’s work environment fosters creativity, and I love the can-do spirit.

What has been your career journey?
I completed my Hematology residency in 2004 and joined Island Health and the BC Cancer Agency in Victoria. In 2005, Dr. Kathy Gaul offered me the opportunity to teach in the Hematology block at the Island Medical Program (IMP), marking the beginning of my journey in medical education. Subsequently, I assumed the role of Clinician Educator for the IMP, where I mentored and supported learners facing academic challenges. I found great fulfillment in building relationships with learners, understanding their unique contexts, and contributing to their professional growth while serving the community.

Over the years, I have held various roles, including Assistant Dean at the Island Medical Program in Victoria, Associate Director for Years 3 and 4, and Director of Curriculum for Undergraduate Medical Education. I lead a team overseeing curricular design, enhancement, and innovation. Our core values revolve around Social Accountability and community-centric education, guiding our efforts in the complex distributed medical education system. I am grateful for the unwavering support that my colleagues, staff, and learners have provided throughout this journey.

What UBC Faculty of Medicine initiatives or projects have you been involved in that you are particularly proud of?
I am proud of many innovative initiatives I have led, from the exhilarating experience of leading curriculum renewal to adapting curriculum and delivery, more recently, leading our MD Undergraduate program’s curriculum delivery through a worldwide pandemic. I am particularly proud of designing Virtual Clinical Education Podcasts based on patient/caregiver partners’ perspectives.

I am grateful to the Strategic Investment Fund for supporting the Planetary Health project to create a BC Climate Health Knowledge Network. This funding will support our team to engage, learn from and listen to the community concerns and knowledge of Climate Health. I am proud to lead a team that aims to better understand these complex health and social issues, advance Indigenous Reconciliation, and engage historically underrepresented communities.

Could you share a specific moment or experience that reaffirmed your commitment to your role as a clinician, teacher, mentor, or administrator within the UBC Faculty of Medicine?
There are many defining moments, and I will share an experience of why I cherish the role as a clinician, teacher, and mentor. At a recent social event, one of my colleagues thanked me for the support, assistance, and mentorship through medical school.  We all struggle occasionally and must remember kindness is the most important value. Seeing how learners grow and develop into practicing clinicians to serve our communities is gratifying. The ability to help and support learners to serve our communities matters more than anything else. I will continue to maintain and build on the connection with learners to be content and successful in serving the community.

What does receiving the Honorary Medical Alumni Award mean to you?
I take great pride and joy in receiving this award and am truly grateful for the recognition. I express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Cheryl Holmes for being an unwavering mentor, supporter, coach, and ally throughout my journey. Without the support of the UGME team, and the communities I serve, I would not have been able to achieve what I have.

Being acknowledged for our leadership work and our progress as a community fills my heart with warmth. The challenges brought about by the COVID pandemic have taught us the importance of unity and togetherness. We have learned that we are stronger when we stand together to achieve our common goals.

How has your identity affected your perspective on the field of medicine and future pursuits?
I have had the opportunity to live in various places, such as Hong Kong, Ethiopia, Singapore, Vancouver, London (Ontario), Toronto, and Edmonton. Throughout my upbringing, I have been fortunate to have the support of my parents and family, which I am deeply grateful for. They have instilled in me the values of hard work and kindness. The multiple relocations I experienced taught me to be adaptable, proactive in forging and maintaining friendships, and a rational change-maker.

As a medical educator and clinician, witnessing the lack of equitable health access for marginalized communities deeply saddens me. It is disheartening to see these inequities persist. I aim to build on our current education to advance community-centric education, social accountability, and Indigenous Reconciliation.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next 10 years?
In the UBC communities, many colleagues inspire me; among them are Cheryl Holmes, Oscar Casiro, Bruce Wright, Kendall Ho, Angela Towle, John Pawlovich, Maria Hubinette, Derek Thompson, and Carolyn Canfield. These individuals demonstrate dedication and integrity in their community service and work ethic.  They have deep knowledge and willingly share their expertise with others. I aspire to be like them in the next ten years. On a more practical level, I am fully committed to collaborating with the team to work on the Climate Health project.

What does a healthy society mean to you?
A healthy society gives individuals access to resources and opportunities that promote holistic well-being. In a healthy society, there is a focus on having a support system, a sense of community, equity, and environmental sustainability to promote health and well-being for everyone.

Dr. Yee will be recognized at the UBC Medical Alumni Celebration & Awards 2024 on May 2nd.

Dr. Ricky Tsang, BSc’13, BSc (Food Nutr)’15, MD’23

Dr. Ricky Tsang is a Vancouverite who attended UBC for undergraduate studies and medical school, the latter after a brief foray into the corporate world. He is also an aspiring amateur cook who enjoys “mucking about in the kitchen and not following recipes.” In January 2024, Dr. Tsang received the Medal of Good Citizenship from the Province of BC for his contributions to community live in British Columbia.

What drew you to the MD Program at UBC?
Having grown up in Vancouver, the MD Program at UBC was the logical choice. Beyond geographical proximity and familiarity both with the university and region, I was drawn to the distributed nature of the medical program which I believe provides students with a richness of diversity, perspectives, and experiences unmatched by other programs. Moreover, the UBC Faculty of Medicine is fortunate to have a unique group of dedicated and talented educators that I believe are among the very best and contribute to a robust medical education experience.

What is your favorite memory from your time at UBC?
Tough question! Having attended UBC for undergraduate studies and medical school, I have a catalogue of memorable moments at UBC. That said, two moments stand out to me.

The first is Imagine Day 2012. I was involved in the team tasked with putting together Imagine Day 2012 and standing on Main Mall the day of the event and seeing the carefully orchestrated chaos unfold before our eyes after months of hard work is something I’ll never forget.

The second is the first day of medical school when we had the opportunity to meet other members of our class. The excitement and anticipation, which had culminated from many years of hard work and dedication, was a joy to be part of.

What has been your journey since graduating from UBC?
Since graduating, I’ve moved to Toronto to pursue a residency in General Surgery at the University of Toronto.

How did you start volunteering?
I started volunteering regularly in 2007. I used to live near a long-term care facility I walked by daily. Out of an abundance of curiosity and a desire to do some volunteering, I walked in and filled out a volunteer application form. Thankfully, they decided to accept me as a volunteer, and it felt like a natural fit from the start. For years, I thoroughly enjoyed working with dedicated rehab staff and volunteers to deliver various recreational and social programs for residents. They did an excellent job creating a family-like environment.

From there, I became involved with the Canucks Autism Network, Children’s Organ Transplant Society, and Starlight Canada.

Why are you inspired to give back to your communities through community service?
I believe we all have the capacity to give back to the community in some way, shape, or form. All efforts, big and small, and everything in between, can have a profound impact on another individual or community.

I grew up near a long-term care facility and was fortunate to land a role there while in high school. Seeing firsthand the compassion, hard work, and dedication of the staff and other volunteers on a weekly basis, as well as the joy they brought to elders, inspired me to follow in their footsteps and contribute through volunteerism.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish?
From a professional perspective, I hope to become physician that patients consider as caring and competent, someone that they can approach and feel comfortable working with to address their medical concerns. From a personal point of view, I aspire to travel extensively and bake the perfect molten chocolate cake.

What does a healthy society mean to you?
For me, a healthy society is characterized by compassion and care, where those who are less fortunate are looked after. A healthy society is one where all its members have access to housing and shelter, education and healthcare, and resources to pursue a healthy lifestyle in order to care for themselves and those around them.

Mona Shum, MSc’97

Mona Shum is the 2023–24 UBC Alumni Builder Award – Faculty of Medicine Recipient.

Mona (she/her) is a distinguished Master of Science in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (MSc OEH) alum with almost 30 years of professional and community leadership. As a mentor, supervisor, and employer, she has played pivotal roles in the career development and success of many MSc OEH graduates. A dedicated curriculum developer and instructor, she has also played key leadership roles within the American Industrial Hygiene Association, cementing her status as a pivotal figure in her field. At UBC, in BC, and across North America, she has significantly contributed to the practice and growth of occupational hygiene.

What drew you to the MSc OEH program at UBC?
I was in a gap year after graduating with a BSc in Microbiology and a bit disillusioned about a career in primary research. I liked science and learning, but not working in the laboratory, so I was checking out different programs at UBC in 1994.

In those days, without internet, I actually was visiting the Department of Healthcare and Epidemiology to check out their program. As I was leaving in the pouring rain, I happened to see a wet pamphlet on the ground outside the building. For some reason, I picked it up and it was a pamphlet introducing this new Occupational Hygiene Program. It ticked all the boxes for me in terms of a career in science working with people and data, continually learning new things, and not being confined to a lab all my life. I believe it was serendipity that made me pick up a wet piece of garbage from the ground that day!

What is your favorite memory from your time at UBC?
We were a close-knit group of about seven people in the Occupational Hygiene Program and It was probably one of the most stressful times in our lives up until that point, but also the most fun. In those days, our professors would sometimes give us homework assignments in our cubbyholes (yes, we had cubbyholes for our mail, etc.). So, one day a friend and I decided to play a prank on our other classmates by putting a fake and impossible homework assignment in their cubby holes. We let them sweat over the assignment for a few hours in the evening, before calling them up and telling them it was fake. We still talk about the prank to this day!

What has been your journey since graduating from the MSc OEH program at UBC?
In 1997, I started my first job as an industrial hygienist at Shell Canada Ltd. in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta working for the refinery there and responsible for industrial hygiene for all the oil and gas plants and terminals across Canada. It was a great adventure, and I loved learning about oil and gas and travelling on the Shell jet!

I moved to San Francisco a year later and worked for a consulting company for 10 years in the health sciences department. There, I worked as the industrial hygienist doing exposure assessments for a group of primarily epidemiologists. My career really burgeoned in California, as I was able to complete several publications and also served as an expert witness in many indoor air quality cases. Due to family issues, I ended up moving back to Vancouver and managed the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health at the BC Centre for Disease Control. There I learned that environmental public health and occupational health weren’t all that different – they just served different populations, but the principles of hierarchy of control were still applicable.

Then, I decided I missed industrial hygiene too much and stepped back into consulting, but this time in Canada, which was a completely new experience. After a few years, I decided to strike out on my own starting Aura Health and Safety and at the same time, teaching at UBC in the same program from which I graduated, teaching my absolute favourite course that I had the pleasure of taking with Dr. Kay Teschke. Things have certainly come full circle, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity to do what I love.

Since your graduation, tell us about your connection with the occupational hygiene community.
I’ve always been connected to the occupational hygiene community having joined the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) both at the national and local levels fresh out of school.  I’ve served on the AIHA non-ionizing radiation committee since 2000 and have chaired it for a time as well. I served as the president of the AIHA BC Yukon chapter in 2012 and opened an Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) chapter in 2016 serving as the chair for a couple of years.

Even though I lived outside of BC for a good portion of my career, I always stayed in touch with UBC grads and the program, even mentoring (through phone calls in early days to mentoring cafes in present day). In fact, it was a meeting with my former UBC professors that led me to my job at the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health. And it was my continued contact with the UBC School of Occupational and Environmental Health throughout the years that led to my eventual adjunct faculty appointment there in 2016. In 2020, I was grateful to receive the Elizabeth McDonald award, which was awarded to me by my peers and honours Elizabeth McDonald, a pioneer in the field of industrial hygiene.

Why are you inspired to give back to your communities?
I really believe in passing on knowledge, so we don’t lose it, and also giving others the same sort of opportunities for mentorship and learning that I had. I enjoy the camaraderie with my fellow industrial hygienists who volunteer for committees; I feel we all have a sense of wanting to give back and to help others – otherwise, we would have chosen much different career paths!

What advice would you give to alumni who want to get more involved with UBC?
Just do it! There are so many ways to get involved. It doesn’t have to be at the level of teaching at UBC – it can be hiring UBC practicum students, hosting student projects, being a mentor, giving a technical or professional presentation to students, donating to a scholarship fund, or just coming out to alumni events.

How has your identity affected your perspective in your practice, community involvement, and/or your future pursuits?
I am a third child of Chinese immigrants and even from a young age, I was always keenly aware of what my parents gave up in Hong Kong to come here to make a better life for their children. While my father was a physics and math teacher in Hong Kong, he spent many years washing dishes and doing night security work in Canada to make sure that his family was fed and clothed. I always knew that I needed to do well in school, so that I could prove to my parents that they made the right decision all those years ago. However, doing well in school wasn’t all about making my parents proud; I always had a thirst for knowledge and would even ask for extra assignments in school, partially for the extra credit, but mostly because I wanted to know more/do better. I think that childhood thirst is still with me today and it drives me to embark upon some interesting journeys.

I want to leave the ones who will replace me in a better position than I was in. I think that idea comes from my parents who were the first to voice that desire for me.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next 10 years?
In keeping with wanting to disseminate knowledge, my colleague and I want to start a 2-year industrial hygiene technologist program, so that the field of industrial hygiene can grow. With more technologists supporting them, industrial hygienists (who graduate from Master’s Programs) can accomplish more and have far greater impacts on occupational health in Canada and globally.

What does a healthy society mean to you?
I remember someone saying to me in the program, that ultimately, we as industrial hygienists want to do such a great job of improving workplace health that we are no longer needed. Unfortunately, I believe there will always be health risks, and thus a need for industrial hygienists. However, I do believe a healthy society is one that is educated and fully aware of the health risks and does what it can to mitigate them.

Mary Ng, MOT’23

Originally from Hong Kong, Mary Ng (she/her) notes her most recent, biggest accomplishment would be graduating from the UBC Master of Occupational Therapy program and getting to work at her dream work setting. She aspires to be the stepping stone for her clients by providing support and expertise to help them maximize their potential and propel themselves further in their lives. When Mary is not doing OT, she enjoys reading, taking photos, and being in nature.

What drew you to the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree at UBC?
I was searching for a career that could allow me to use my passion in psychology with practicality. A few seconds after typing down the keywords on the search engine, occupational therapy popped up and the job description has caught my eyes ever since. As I was researching where to get trained, the small class size UBC offers for the MOT program drew me closer to making the decision to apply. I have always wanted a close knitted relationship within a cohort and I am glad the small cohort size gave me exactly what I wanted.

How has studying in the MOT program made an impact on you?
Not only did I acquire different skills that I would be able to use at work, I find that skills that make a great occupational therapist (OT) are also very helpful to personal growth and helps me become a better person in general.

What was something you learned in the MOT program that surprised you?
Although we are privileged to acquire high level education, it does not mean that we are at a higher position than people seeking help from us. As OTs, we work with our clients/patients and we walk alongside them in their journey of recovery. Ultimately, they are the drivers and we utilize our expertise to help them steer towards their goals.

What is your favorite memory from your time at UBC?
Every moment is memorable for me, the happy ones and the tough ones. If I have to pick however, I would say the moments when I was in class with my cohort. Having a shared 2 years of time with them is my absolute pleasure and I miss all those break time conversations, and jokes and struggles we had during and outside of classes.

Where do you find inspiration?
People! From our professors and preceptors to classmates and our patients/clients, I have learned so much from every one of them, and every day I keep learning new things from them. Everyone is an expert in their lives, and they have so much knowledge and experiences to share.

What does a healthy society mean to you?
A healthy society means that people see the importance of both physical and mental health, and that people would not feel ashamed to reach out for help and support for either health issues, and that they would receive sufficient assistance on their journey of recovery.

What are your plans after graduation?
I am lucky to get hired at my dream work setting. I hope that with the addition of me to the team, the department would be able to expand in services that we could provide to our patients. In terms of longer-term goals, I wish that with the support of my team, we would be able to expand the service outside of the hospital I am working at currently, so that the population I am serving who is out in the community could receive better support.

 

Oluwadamilola (Damilola) Alashe, MOT’23

Oluwadamilola (Damilola) Alashe is a Nigerian, first generation immigrant to Canada. She loves sports especially soccer and badminton which she’s been able to enjoy competitively. Damilola finds joy in healthcare and greatly fascinated by the human body. In her spare time, Damilola listens to music (all genres) and watches anime.

What drew you to the Master of Occupational Therapy (OT) degree at UBC?
I have always wanted to work in the healthcare field and also loved the idea of flexibility of practice. Occupational therapy gives me that and more while allowing me to have a proper work life balance.

How has studying in the MOT program made an impact on you?
The program and curriculum itself is quite rich, but I was impacted the most by the people I met, both the professors and my colleagues, who are so welcoming and accepting.

What was something you learned in the MOT program that surprised you?
The level of impact system has on accessible healthcare and the level to which we need to advocate for those barriers to be eradicated.

What is your favorite memory from your time at UBC?
Celebrations at Rain or Shine with my cohort after every evaluation or exam!

Where do you find inspiration?
Sounds cliché, but from my loved ones, my family, and partner.

What does a healthy society mean to you?
A society that is accepting of everyone’s differences and is not quick to judge.

What are your plans after graduation?
To continue to work as an occupational therapist and hopefully travel more often.

Imaan Shivji, MPT’23

Imaan Shivji (she/her) is a recent graduate of the UBC Master of Physical Therapy-North program based in Prince George, BC. She was born and raised in Burnaby, BC and pursued her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Imaan recently obtained her Canadian Orthopaedic Division Advanced Integrated Musculoskeletal (AIM) Level 1 certification. She loves to stay active by spending time outdoors, going to the gym and swimming.

Outside of her passion for health and fitness, Imaan enjoys connecting with others through creating music, playing guitar and collaborating with artists. In the past few years, she has worked on writing original songs and performing at local coffee houses and fundraisers. Her music can be found on all streaming services.

What drew you to the Master of Physical Therapy-North program at UBC?
Growing up in Burnaby, BC, I grew up with the privilege of easy access to healthcare services. When I travelled to Ontario for my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology, I had the opportunity to partake in volunteer work at a rehabilitation centre for adults with neurological conditions. Through my work at McMaster’s Physical Activity Centre for Excellence (PACE), I fostered connections with many individuals who struggled with their healthcare journey and often lived in remote areas with a lack of access to healthcare services. This experience was an eye opener, because I realized the lasting impact that can result from inaccessibility of healthcare services, such as physiotherapy.

Along with my passion for enhancing the quality of life of others through movement, I fostered a new interest in working with underserved populations and individuals in rural communities. This experience became a stepping stone to joining the Northern cohort of the UBC MPT program. In addition to this, I was really drawn to the idea of exploring the northern parts of the province, and the beautiful nature that BC has to offer.

How has studying in the MPT program made an impact on you?
I will always cherish the lifelong connections I have made with my classmates during my time in the MPT program. I am so fortunate to have been a part of the Northern cohort, which was comprised of a close-knit group of 20 students, and a welcoming, supportive faculty. When moving to a new town without knowing a single person, it can be quite daunting. However, I feel lucky to say that right from my first day in Prince George, I felt at home because I was surrounded by warm smiles and genuine faces. Many of the connections I have made over the past two years have developed into lifelong friendships, and I am grateful to be entering the physiotherapy profession with such kind and intelligent colleagues.

What was something you learned in the MPT program that surprised you?
I found my time spent on clinical placement was extremely valuable and a great way to apply what was learned in the classroom. With the support of some great preceptors, I was exposed to a variety of practice styles and settings, such as pediatric oncology, arthritis programs, neurological rehabilitation, acute care, and private clinics. Growing up, I only really understood physiotherapy as being the private clinic setting, but being able to witness and learn about our wide scope of practice has been truly incredible.

What is your favorite memory from your time at UBC?
It is really difficult to pick just one favourite memory from my journey over the past two years. While in Prince George, I was fortunate enough to explore the surrounding areas of Northern BC. From snowshoeing in Smithers, to skating on the stunning lakes of Jasper, to horseback riding in the Cariboo Region, and hiking in Williams Lake, I have more good memories to look back on than I can count.

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in all the unique patient encounters I have experienced through my clinical placements. It is always an honour to be a part of someone’s rehabilitation journey, from start to finish. I recall one patient I worked with suffered a stroke and lost their ability to walk. After five weeks of intensive rehabilitation, they were able to walk a few steps with the help of equipment and physical support. I remember seeing the joy on the patient’s and their loved ones’ faces as they expressed their gratitude to our team. It is moments like these that truly reinforce my passion for the physiotherapy field.

What does a healthy society mean to you?
I believe that a healthy society strives for the advocacy of health and wellness in multiple dimensions. Burnout and mental health challenges are present more than ever, and it is important that we work together as a society to reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions. Being in the physiotherapy field, I truly believe that exercise and staying active are equally important for both physical and mental health, and that the best way to stay active is to find a form of exercise that is most enjoyable. Additionally, a healthy society is one where everyone is treated equally and with respect.

What are your plans after graduation?
I can confidently say that through my journey over the last two years, I have grown and developed my professional toolkit that I look forward to utilizing in practice. I cherish the skills I have developed from working in rural communities and I know that they will enable me to grow as a clinician. I plan to work in an orthopedic setting where I can follow patients through their rehabilitation journey, helping them regain function and return to activities they enjoy. I have a special interest in arthritis management and concussion care, both of which I was lucky to be exposed to while on placement. I look forward to continuing my education through various coursework over the coming years to provide up-to-date and quality care for patients. Lifelong learning is most definitely a large part of the physiotherapy profession, and I am grateful to be entering such an impactful and vast field.

Joshua Ferreira, MOT’23

During his time at UBC, Joshua (Josh) Ferreira (he/him) was honored to represent his class as the Co-President of the Occupational Therapy Student Society. In this role, he served as Master of Ceremonies in the 2022 MOT Capstone Conference and Co-Chair of the 2023 MOT Capstone Conference and was fortunate enough to receive the Sarah Brabyn Memorial Award based on leadership, community involvement, and strong collegial spirit. Josh hopes to continue to expand his knowledge and skills in the field of occupational therapy and become a mentor to other new therapists in the future. Outside of professional endeavors, you can find Josh hiking in the woods, skiing in the mountains or going for a walk with a good cup of coffee.

What drew you to the Master of Occupational Therapy (OT) degree at UBC?
Occupational Therapy is a profession that incorporates physical, psychological, and environmental influences on an individuals’ ability to participate in meaningful participation of valued occupations. As a therapist working alongside individuals you empower and support them to reach their goals and have the privilege to see them succeed in their journey. Specifically, the UBC program emphasized a well-rounded education in Occupational Therapy with multiple placement opportunities in diverse fields of practice.

How has studying in the MOT program made an impact on you?
Studying in the MOT program has been a life-changing experience that has provided me with a supportive community of colleagues, mentors, and close friends that will forever be dear to me. This program taught me evidence-based practice, academic knowledge, and professional experience, as well as challenged me to grow on a personal level.

What was something you learned in the MOT program that surprised you?
When I started the MOT program, I anticipated gaining expertise in a well-respected profession and working in healthcare. But what I didn’t know was the way it would change how I view the people, environment, and occupations in my everyday life. I found the applicability of the profession was everywhere. Whether it was providing ergonomics tips to friends, assisting my elderly grandparents to age in place, or admiring a particularly accessible bathroom. I was surprised to find occupational therapy principles as far as I could see.

What is your favorite memory from your time at UBC?
My favorite memory at UBC must be the summer barbecue our class put on the week before classes started. During this event, I immediately felt at home talking and meeting my new classmates and listening to the countless stories of “How did OT find you?”. Despite the various paths and diverse life experiences that brought us together, I’ve never felt more comfortable with sixty-three complete strangers.

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in the moments spent with others, whether in my personal or professional life. The positive connections I have with family, friends, and clients, knowing that through our interactions I’ve made a difference in someone’s journey, whether for a brief moment or a lasting impact, bring me immense joy.

What does a healthy society mean to you?
A healthy society to me is based on the foundational principles of respect, autonomy, and community. Respect and autonomy allow us the freedom to be the most authentic versions of ourselves and acknowledge everyone’s unique lived experiences, life paths, and identity. Community brings us together towards a common goal or initiative and fosters a sense of shared belonging and collaboration that is essential in a healthy society.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to start my career in the public healthcare system and continue to expand my knowledge and skills as an Occupational Therapist. I’m eager to learn from peers, mentors, and clients in the field about how best to serve in this new-found role.

Dr. Warren B. Fingrut, MD’15

Dr. Warren B. Fingrut (he/him) is a Hematologist and Transplant Physician with a research interest in characterizing and mitigating disparities in the provision of transplantation and cellular therapies. He is currently completing a research fellowship with the Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, as well as a Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Fingrut is also Founder and Director of Stem Cell Club, a Canadian national donor recruitment organization which augments access to unrelated stem cell donors, especially for patients from underserved racial/ ethnic populations. Through his work, Dr. Fingrut advocates for a more inclusive transplant system, both for populations underrepresented as donors and impacted by unique barriers to donation, and for underserved patient groups.

What drew you to the MD Program at UBC?
I was initially drawn to medicine as I wanted a career where I could forge strong longitudinal relationships with patients and provide care during difficult parts of their lives. I grew up in Toronto, and I moved across Canada to pursue Medicine at UBC. I quickly fell in love with Vancouver, and it’s still one of my favourite cities.

What is your favorite memory from your time at UBC?
In third year, I completed a rural medicine elective in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. In addition to rotating through the departments of Inuvik Regional Hospital, I also visited remote communities including Tsiigehtchic and Tuktoyaktuk. Through these experiences, I learned about the unique challenges facing rural Canadians, especially those of Indigenous heritage. For example, I was involved in the care of a patient facing a medical crisis while working on a barge, and for whom special evacuation plans needed to be arranged. Additionally, in clinic, I saw a patient who told me and the medical team that they were going to be leaving town to live off the land for the months ahead. I worked with this patient to develop a care plan to manage the relevant medical issues as best possible during their time away. I also followed pregnant patients from rural communities who needed to travel great distances for their pre- and perinatal care.

During my last week of the elective, when I was off-duty in hospital, I ran a stem cell drive – at a booth I setup at the Inuvik NorthMart. It was the first-ever stem cell donor recruitment event north of the Arctic Circle. I recruited 44 young adults to be potential stem cell donors, the majority of whom were Indigenous. Given that patients in need of an unrelated stem cell donor are most likely to find a match from within their own ancestral group, and since Indigenous peoples are underrepresented as donors, the outcome of this drive had special meaning. I wrote up my experience as a manuscript which I published the following year in the UBC Medical Journal. This was the very first paper of my academic career.

What has been your journey since graduating from UBC?
I completed my Internal Medicine Residency at University of Toronto, and then returned to UBC for Hematology Fellowship training. Through to present day, I have continued to serve as Director of Stem Cell Club, building and supporting teams to engage Canadians to stem cell donation. Under my leadership, Stem Cell Club has recruited over 23,000 potential stem cell donors, the majority of whom are from underrepresented racial/ ethnic backgrounds. I led development of multiple resources aimed at improving the recruitment of diverse donors, including whiteboard videos, TikToks, and a stem cell donation story library called WhyWeSwab. These resources have been shared widely to support donor recruitment efforts around the world.

My teams and I partnered with advocates from diverse communities to spearhead national campaigns to recruit donors from underserved and historically marginalized groups (e.g. Black Donors Save Lives, Saving Lives with Pride). Overall, this work has secured coverage in >50 print/broadcast media outlets, has been routinely highlighted in Oral presentations at Canadian and US/ International meetings in Hematology and Transplantation, and has culminated in multiple peer-reviewed publications (including in The Lancet Haematology, BMT, BBMT, Transfusion, Vox Sanguinis, and Current Oncology). These efforts could not have been possible without the hard work of my many mentees across Canada, at all levels of training (undergraduates, medical students, Masters and PhD students, and resident physicians).

In the past few years, I’ve expanded my research to include projects which seek to identify and address inequities in care delivery for transplantation and cellular therapy candidates and recipients. My research is assessing how alternative donor allografts (i.e. cord blood, haploidentical, and mismatched unrelated donor transplants) have extended the possibility of allogeneic transplant, and evaluates whether significant disparities in access to optimal donors persist for patients from underserved racial and ethnic populations. I am also evaluating socioeconomic status and its intersection with patient race/ ethnicity/ ancestry as it pertains to the provision of therapies for life-threatening diseases of the blood and marrow.

What do you find most interesting about your medical career?
My clinical work provides me with the opportunity to care for very sick, complex medical patients, both as a transplant expert (i.e. evaluating eligibility for transplant, optimizing the transplant platform, managing post-transplant complications) and as a generalist (being the most responsible physician for my patients, both on the ward and in clinic). While there are challenging cases, including those with disease relapse or severe graft-versus-host disease, there are also many success stories. Patients in my networks have shared some of these stories with Stem Cell Club – we’ve published a series of heartwarming letters written by patients to their anonymous unrelated donors, and last year we were invited to capture the first meeting between a stem cell recipient and the donor who saved her life (https://youtu.be/k6xmtXcOjwk; this five minute video has secured > 110k views on YouTube).

On the research front, I am especially interested in deploying “big data” to advance equity for vulnerable patient groups. Through my work at Sloan-Kettering, I have had the opportunity to describe disparities in large cohorts of transplant recipients, and share my findings with stakeholders in the transplant community. I have seen firsthand the importance of such data to mobilize the resources and support required to change policy and practice.

Where do you find inspiration?
I am greatly inspired by the mentors I have had over my career, who have made me into the physician I am today. I am also inspired by my trainees and mentees with Stem Cell Club, many of whom have personal connections to stem cell donation and/or have pursued national projects with me spanning years. They all bring unique skills and passion to the work, and I am so proud of their accomplishments. In the past year alone, one of my mentees was invited to give two plenary presentations; another delivered a TedX talk sharing lessons she learned from her experience being a stem cell donor for her father; and a third presented the first-ever Oral on a LGBTQIA+ topic at a major meeting in Hematology/Transplant, a milestone in our field. Many others have won leadership and abstract achievement awards, spoken with the media, published manuscripts, and abstracts on our work, and spearheaded stem cell drives and campaigns recruiting hundreds of donors.

How has your identity affected your perspective on the field of medicine and future pursuits?
My passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in hematology stems from multiple facets of my identity. My Canadian multicultural upbringing taught me to respect and accept people across diverse backgrounds, and my medical training instilled in me the critical value that everyone deserves medical care, including those from marginalized or underprivileged groups. I am Jewish and the grandchild of Holocaust survivors, and my family history has motivated me to pursue equity, justice, and anti-racism efforts. And my LGBTQ+ identity has guided me to work to advance inclusion in Hematology, for patients, donors, and the Hematology workforce.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish?
My research aims to better recognize specific patient groups at special risk for compromised care delivery, and to develop interventions to mitigate structural barriers, diversify patient populations, and maximize the equitable provision of optimal transplantation and cellular therapies. For donors, a key theme of my work is that health equity should be prioritized alongside donation safety.

Altogether, I hope to help build a more inclusive transplant system.

What does a healthy society mean to you?
A healthy society aims to eliminate discrimination and ensure that everyone has equal opportunities for education, employment, healthcare, and social participation, regardless of their background or identity. This work is critical for creating a culture where all individuals can thrive, contribute to their fullest potential, and lead fulfilling lives.

Morgan Reid, BMw’23

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.