Indigenous youth interested in pursuing a career in medicine will have the opportunity to learn more about the UBC Northern Medical Program at UNBC, as well as its sister medical school sites across B.C., at a special three-day online workshop in late July. The virtual Indigenous MD Admissions Workshop will run from July 28 – 30.

The Northern Medical Program is the virtual host site this year for the annual workshop which is in its eighteenth year. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about different aspects of the application process, get an overview of the MD undergraduate curriculum, and hear from students, graduates and faculty on their experiences in the program. 

“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 Indigenous MD Admissions Workshop is open to both high school and post-secondary students, and there is 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. 

 “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,” says Tarissa Alec, Northern Medical Program Class of 2021 graduate. “The sessions gave me lots 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."

The deadline for applications is Friday, July 16.