Indigenous youth interested in pursuing a career in medicine will have the chance to learn more about the career path thanks to a summer workshop hosted virtually through the Northern Medical Program.
Through the virtual Indigenous MD Admissions Workshop, Indigenous youth will have an opportunity to learn about different aspects about the application process, get an overview of the undergraduate curriculum and hear from students, graduates and faculty on their experiences in the program.
“These workshops really highlighted the attainability of medical school. I never thought a career in medicine was possible until I started going to the workshops,” said Tarissa Alec who is a Northern Medical Program Class of 2021 graduate.
She said the sessions gave her a lot of helpful resources and strategies for the application process.
“As an Indigenous person, I never had any Indigenous role models in medicine until I started attending these. They spotlighted many inspiring Indigenous physicians and their careers, as well as having current Indigenous medical students attend and share their stories. It made the medical journey seem more real and attainable,” added Alec.
The Northern Medical Program is the virtual host site this year for the annual three-day workshop which is in its eighteenth year
“This annual three-day event helps provide prospective Indigenous students with the necessary tools to better understand the application process as well as what it takes to successfully complete the undergraduate MD program,” says James Andrew, Indigenous Student Initiatives Manager at the UBC Faculty of Medicine.
The virtual Indigenous MD Admissions Workshop will run from July 28 – 30 and is open to both high school and post-secondary students with no cost to participants.
Those interested in attending must submit their application online, along with a report card or university transcript copy, proof of ancestry, and a 500-word essay on why they want to pursue medicine.
The deadline to apply is Friday, July 16.
