The Island Medical Program (IMP) welcomed its newest – and largest ever – class to Victoria last week. As the IMP Class of 2028 starts its second week of medical school on the Island, we’d like to introduce you to a few of its 40 members: Erika, Kellie, and Vincent.
Erika Colebank (she/her)
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I wanted to be in medicine since early childhood, probably because my mom was a nurse and taught us how to change dressings and start pretend IVs. Also, I grew up on a hobby farm, where we often had to perform medical procedures on animals. University wasn’t an option for me, so I entered a two-year college program to be a denturist, which temporarily scratched that medical itch for about 15 years. Just before the pandemic, my husband encouraged me to go back to school to pursue my dream, and now here I am!
Why did you choose the UBC IMP?
My husband and I live in Duncan with two children. When I started this journey, I knew that the only way I could become a doctor was by getting into the IMP; I was not willing to disrupt my children by relocating to fulfill my dreams. For me, it was IMP or nothing! I was razor focused on my academics and did everything I could to be a successful applicant because with only one school (that has only 40 seats) to apply to, the odds were stacked against me!
What are you looking forward to most in your first year of medical school?
I am really excited to be in a proper school setting with classmates. To fit academics around my family and work obligations, I did nearly all my undergrad courses online. As a result, I missed out on the social aspects of school. I am also excited to “get my hands wet” (with gloves on of course!) with real medical stuff. When I saw on the course schedule that gross anatomy starts in week two, I felt so excited. I feel like I am summating a massive mountain!
What is your Vancouver Island bucket list item and why?
We recently went on a fossil tour at the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta. I found out from our paleontologist guide that Vancouver Island is full of fossils from the Cambrian era, and there is a must-do fossil tour at the museum in Courtenay. You get to learn how to find fossils and dig for them yourself! Now I am just itching to get our family up to Courtenay and enjoy this amazing Island at a whole different level!
Kellie Chin (she/her)
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I came to medicine through a very non-traditional route. As a mature applicant with a completely different background, I wanted a career that spoke to my strengths and one where I could serve my community. I’m also a huge people person – I work best when I’m face-to-face with someone. It took a while to pivot from my previous career as an architect. I interviewed a variety of professionals in different industries, but once I arrived at this decision, medicine seemed like a natural fit.
Why did you choose the UBC IMP?
I’m actually from Ontario, but I was really drawn to the smaller class size. The Island seems to offer a variety of activities, both indoor and outdoor. I’m an avid gardener, so I’ll admit I was also drawn to the temperate climate and longer growing season.
What are you looking forward to most in your first year of medical school?
Being a student again! It has been a while since I was in school, so I’m equally excited and nervous. I can’t wait to learn all the material and dive into content that I find fascinating and that is a huge pivot from my previous education. I also love new beginnings; it feels like I can do anything. Though, I’m sure I’ll be eating my words come exam season.
What is your Vancouver Island bucket list item and why?
Visiting the Butchart Gardens. I’m obsessed with botanical gardens, and I’ve even had family members who live in Jamaica telling me they want to come visit just to see the gardens! Moving to the Island from Toronto means I’ve had to leave behind all my indoor houseplants, so I’m excited to gain inspiration from Butchart as a slowly curate my new indoor garden on the Island.
Vincent Michaud (he/him)
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I was inspired to pursue medicine by the great mentors I had the opportunity to work with during my previous career as a military medical technician. I saw firsthand the type of attitude that was required to provide comfort to people during troublesome times, and I found myself profoundly attracted to that type of work. I believe it to be an honour when people trust you to provide them with care, and I look forward to creating a space where each worry is properly acknowledged and addressed.
Why did you choose the UBC IMP?
I was attracted by the depth of connections I observed between the program and smaller communities in the north of the Island like Campbell River. I attended my first two years of undergrad there at North Island College and found myself calling that place home very quickly. As a part of the IMP, I appreciate that I’ll hopefully have the opportunity to start networking there early on in the program.
What are you looking forward to most in your first year of medical school?
I’m excited and truly looking forward to getting to know my classmates. I want to know what attracted each of them to medicine and what were their pathways to get here. I’m also excited to get to know how UBC is leading the way with patient-centered, evidence-based, culturally sensitive medical practices that acknowledge the extremely privileged position doctors hold in society.
What is your Vancouver Island bucket list item and why?
I hope to find someone that can teach me how to fish along our coast or in our many rivers! I have never been fishing in my life despite having been on the Island since 2021, but I would love to experience it in ways that respects the living world around us and discover what drew so many people to a beautiful life here.