IMP Welcomes the Class of 2030

The Island Medical Program (IMP) welcomed its newest cohort to Victoria in late August. As the IMP Class of 2030 begins its four-year medical school journey on the Island, we’d like to introduce you to a few of its 40 members: Tiffany, Yannyk, Jamie, and Corbin.

Tiffany Huang (she/her)

What inspired you to pursue medicine?

It was a combination of many things, but at the heart of it, it’s because I find medicine extremely interesting. There’s so much to learn – from understanding the human body, which is so fascinating and complex, to developing clinical skills and applying that knowledge in practice. At the same time, I enjoy working closely with people, getting to know their stories, gaining new perspectives, and finding ways to help. I love that medicine brings all this together and that there’s so much room to grow.

Why did you want to attend the UBC IMP?

While I attended high school in Victoria, I’ve lived in Vancouver for the past few years to pursue my undergraduate degree. So, I wanted to return, reconnect with the community, and explore more of the Island. I also thought it would be really fun to come back as an adult and experience Victoria through a totally different lens. I was also really drawn to the smaller IMP class size, which provides opportunities for deeper, more personal connections with classmates, mentors, and faculty.

What are you looking forward to most in your first year of medical school?

I’m looking forward to diving straight into the material and to learning! I’m also very excited about getting to know my classmates and gaining clinical experience through family medicine placements.

What is at the top of your Vancouver Island bucket list?

Hiking the 5040 Peak and Triple Peak are definitely on the top of my bucket list. I would also love to do the West Coast Trail and Juan de Fuca Trail at some point. Despite growing up in Victoria, I feel like I haven’t actually explored that much of the Island, so I’m excited to spend more time exploring other parts of it and discover the amazing nature Vancouver Island has to offer!

Yannyk Daley (he/him)

What inspired you to pursue medicine?

My path to medicine has been a bit of a long one. I’ve spent much of the last 19 years working in pre-hospital care, often meeting people during some of the most stressful moments of their lives. Over time, I found myself wanting to know what happened after that initial crisis and to be part of their care beyond a single encounter. Watching my wife work as a midwife also had a big influence on me. Seeing the relationships she builds with people and families made me appreciate the value of continuity and helped bring me towards medicine.

Why did you want to attend the UBC IMP?

I’ve spent most of my career working in small teams, and I’ve always really valued the trust, connection, and shared responsibility that comes with that. The IMP stood out to me because it offered the chance to learn in a smaller cohort and get to know the people around me on a more personal level. That kind of environment suits how I like to work and learn. There’s a fantastic group of people at the IMP and I feel very lucky to be part of it.

What are you looking forward to most in your first year of medical school?

I’m looking forward to taking on the challenge of first year with my cohort. Some of the best teams I’ve been part of were built through hard times, when people had to lean on each other, make mistakes, and figure things out as they went. Those are usually the moments you remember most, especially once you can laugh about them afterwards. I’m hoping to bring that same mindset to medical school, stay open to failing forward, and enjoy the process with the people going through it beside me.

What is at the top of your Vancouver Island bucket list?

At the top of my list is getting outside with my partner and our three kids. In my previous career as a search and rescue technician with the Canadian Armed Forces, I was lucky to spend a lot of time outdoors and see much of Vancouver Island. Now, I’m excited to share some of those experiences with my family and make new memories together. Medical school will be busy, so I want to be intentional about finding balance and making time for the people who matter most. We’ll also be doing some important research into the Island’s best coffee and ice cream.

Jamie Ryvers

What inspired you to pursue medicine?

After studying for three years in the field of applied linguistics with an emphasis on cross-cultural communication, my husband and I relocated to Turkey a few years after the war began across the border in Syria. We lived in Turkey with our three children as we worked for a non-profit NGO. We lived off a small living allowance and although our change purse was light, our hearts were even lighter. I offered free English lessons to refugees, mentored new expats to Turkey, and was a part of a literature distribution program. I resettled 12 Syrian refugees to Canada through private sponsorship and coordinated aid to earthquake-affected areas. After nine years of loving Turkey, the culture, the people, and the language, circumstances forced us to return to Canada in 2023.

I felt that my life’s purpose had been snuffed out with this move; it was an emotionally challenging time. Before too long, I realized that my passion and purpose were not exclusive to the work I was doing in Turkey but could actually be expressed in broader terms, such as love of people, joy in serving others, and appreciation of diverse cultures. With this realization, I decided to pursue medicine as a way of living out my passion and purpose here in Canada.

Why did you want to attend the UBC IMP?

The main reason was practical: my kids go to school in Nanaimo and after a major cross-continental transition, we didn’t want to initiate any more major moves. However, I also intend to have a rural focus, which I believe is fostered at the IMP, and I appreciate the small cohort size. Of course, it helps that Victoria is such a beautiful city.

What are you looking forward to most in your first year of medical school?

Mostly, I’m just curious and ready to start learning content. I also look forward to meeting the faculty. I suppose I’m also really looking forward to the fact that my husband will be taking over making school lunches and dinners!

What is at the top of your Vancouver Island bucket list?

I grew up in Qualicum Beach, so to be perfectly honest, I don’t have a bucket list. That being said, snow sports are still pretty new to my kids, so I intend to bring them up to Mt. Washington a few times this year!

Corbin Nold (he/him)

What inspired you to pursue medicine?

After high school, I chose biomedical engineering at UBC because it combined my love of math and biological science to solve research and design challenges related to healthcare, medicine, and medical devices. Throughout my degree, I also held several community service, advocacy, and leadership roles supporting vulnerable student populations. After graduating, working with residents with dementia further fed my desire to have an impact on the lives of people in my community. A career in medicine will allow me to combine my scientific curiosity with my passion for community service and help me to continue supporting populations like these.

Why did you want to attend the UBC IMP?

Growing up in Nanaimo, I always loved the natural beauty and slow pace of the Island. The IMP will allow me to study medicine in a beautiful location close to the community that raised me. I also hope the IMP’s smaller cohort size will give me access to faculty and local opportunities that will help me learn to address the specific needs of the community I grew up in.

What are you looking forward to most in your first year of medical school?

I am looking forward to learning! During my engineering degree, I was exposed to information from diverse disciplines, and I absorbed as much of it as possible. After graduating, I continued to self-study, but I found doing so more challenging with less structure and access to UBC’s resources. I am very excited to return to the classroom to further challenge myself with the knowledge of a new, high-impact discipline.

What is at the top of your Vancouver Island bucket list?

Hitting the trails and enjoying the natural beauty of the Victoria area! Even though I have lived on the Island most of my life, there is always somewhere new to explore. I explored the Vancouver area during undergrad and central Vancouver Island where I grew up, so living in Victoria will allow me to explore a new region of our beautiful British Columbia.

IMP Student Launches Canada’s Doctors Orchestra

Andrew Loe (IMP Class of 2029) has always had a passion for science and music. But, as he pursued his combined biochemistry and music undergraduate degree at UVic, he felt like he was one of only a few people following that path.

Turns out, he’s one of many. That revelation came after Andrew started medical school, when his viola teacher introduced him to the World Doctors Orchestra. Andrew quickly found there were national doctors ensembles around the globe, and he went searching for the Canadian equivalent – only to discover that it didn’t exist.

So, he established the Canadian Doctors Orchestra and opened auditions to anyone working in healthcare.

“There are many people in healthcare who have this dual identity to them,” Andrew says. “Finding out that there’s people across Canada who are doing the exact same things that you’re doing – it is amazing for me and I’m sure it’s amazing for everyone else.”

*Andrew Loe (IMP Class of IMP 2029) says one of his major motivations to start the Canadian Doctors Orchestra was “to connect with people who went on this same journey” of medicine and music.*

Tuning Up

Since its foundation in March 2026, 180 physicians, medical students, healthcare administrators, social workers, music therapists, nurses, dentists, and more have signed onto the orchestra’s musician registry. About 85 of them auditioned to play in the inaugural concert this December in Victoria.

Overall, Andrew says he is impressed with the musicians he’s heard in the audition tapes, which range from professionals to those who haven’t played in years.

“I think medical and healthcare people are just phenomenal. They are super talented in so many ways,” he says.

Andrew and his team are in the process of selecting the final ensemble, which will total about 50 musicians. Then, they will pick the repertoire based on the group’s collective skill level.

“We wouldn’t want to play a really big, hard Bruckner symphony if people don’t have that experience under their belt,” he says. “We’re not trying to intimidate people who haven’t touched their instruments in a while by getting them to play something too difficult.”

Musicians will receive the selected sheet music by the end of summer. Then, they’ll have a few months to prepare on their own before coming together for intensive in-person rehearsals just days before the concert.

Sarah Draheim (IMP Class of 2029) auditioned for a seat in the trombone section, and she’s excited to start practicing if selected. While she was active in her high school bands, she hasn’t had much opportunity to play since graduating six years ago. “It was very fun to learn again, and I was shocked at how fast it came back – I was a bit worried about that,” she says.

Playing Together

Like Andrew, Sarah’s excited to connect with others in the ensemble. “It’s a way to grow closer with my medical community while pursuing a dream of mine to be a part of a larger orchestra,” she says. “It’s an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself.”

The orchestra’s concertmaster, Dr. Terry Tam, says this is also an important opportunity for healthcare workers and physicians to come together. Finding common ground outside of their shared high-stress work environment “makes a huge difference in terms of bonding and understanding each other better,” he says. “Everybody needs a different avenue to express themselves and communicate with each other aside from talking shop.”

*Dr. Terry Tam, who is an emergency physician at Saanich Peninsula hospital and a UBC clinical faculty member, is also a professional violinist. He is currently concertmaster for the Victoria Symphony.*

Dr. Amita Modi, the IMP’s Year 1 & 2 Site Director, agrees that musical initiatives like the Canadian Doctors Orchestra offer an important opportunity for collaboration.

“Music is extremely powerful in bringing individuals together and nurturing these important connections; it helps take us back to reflect on basic values by grounding us in times of uncertainty,” she says. “I think these kinds of experiences can build one’s capacity for empathy and understanding, which we can take forward to our interactions in other settings.”

Currently a violinist in the Victoria Chamber Orchestra, Dr. Modi fondly remembers performing with other students and residents during her own medical training. One of the reasons she auditioned for the Canadian Doctors Orchestra was for the chance to continue these kinds of collaborations.

It’s also possible that sense of community and connection may extend from the musicians to their audience.

“Group catharsis, especially in an orchestra, is something that doesn’t always happen, but when it does, it’s amazing. Everyone ends up on the same page and finds this common emotion,” says Dr. Tam. “Sometimes, words can’t really express what we are feeling and music can do it better.”

Nurturing Notes

Aside from building community, Andrew says the orchestra may give healthcare professionals the opportunity to tap into music’s health and wellness benefits.

For himself, he sees playing music as a form of active recovery against burnout. “It allows people to reconnect with themselves and with an identity that has nothing to do with healthcare,” he says.

“Personally, I don’t think I could do medicine without the music component,” he adds. It keeps me grounded and keeps me connected with my local community. It keeps me going out, playing new venues, and interacting with new people.”

For Dr. Modi, “the experience of playing in an orchestra – coming together with other musicians with unified effort, purpose, and energy – is very grounding,” she says. “It can feel like there is a true synchrony of thought and purpose. The connections developed through music are truly transformative.”

Dr. Amita Modi, whose background is in family medicine, says the orchestra’s mandate of philanthropy, wellness and national unity resonated with her. It’s why she also registered to play in the World Doctors Orchestra, which has a mandate of global medical responsibility and donates concert proceeds to various medical aid organizations.

Dr. Tam says music is important for his spiritual well-being. In his two decades as a professional musician, working through the stress of performing and experiencing music that taps into a wide range of emotions has given him a profound sense of growth.

“Music is not as one-dimensional as many people think,” he says. “It’s more profound.”

Studies have also shown that music’s benefits aren’t limited to people who play instruments. “Whether you’re listening or participating, there is evidence that it is good for your health,” says Andrew.

Last year, an article from CBC shared that some Montreal doctors were able to prescribe their patients free tickets to the symphony. This is a kind of “social prescribing,” which describes when healthcare providers prescribe things normally outside the scope of medicine but have tremendous impact on people’s health and well-being. In the case of listening to music, it can help with things like reducing stress, regulating mood, and offering pain relief.

Sarah has seen this firsthand. “I remember when my Oma was getting older, and even though she was unable to move around as easily, she was still always able to sing. Music, and singing in harmony with her family she loved, was something that brought her so much joy.”

Sarah Draheim (IMP Class of 2029) says music helps ground her in the moment, such as when she’s trying to relax or keep her energy up through a long study session. “I don’t know life without music. It’s so intertwined,” she says.

Curtains Up

The Canadian Doctors Orchestra’s first performance will take place at UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium on December 20, 2026, conducted by UVic School of Music Associate Professor Ajtony Csaba. Ticket sales will go to charity.

“The fact it’s going to debut in Victoria is pretty amazing,” says Dr. Tam. “It’s a huge undertaking to organize something like this.”

Andrew has nothing but praise for the small group of people – most of whom are also students – working hard to create this opportunity for healthcare professionals.

“I love my team. It wouldn’t be possible without the support of everybody.”

2026 – 2027 IMP Information Sessions Announced

(Note, registration links are below)

Want to learn more about the Island Medical Program (IMP), the UBC MD Undergraduate Program (MDUP), and it’s admissions pathways?

Then join the IMP admissions team for one of our free hour-long information sessions in the 2026 – 2027 academic year!

At the monthly General Sessions, you will learn everything you need to know about applying to the IMP and UBC MDUP, including admissions requirements, application dates and deadlines, academic and non-academic requirements, admission pathways, and an overview of the application process and selection criteria. You’ll also learn more about the program and have an opportunity to ask questions.

We will also be hosting additional sessions specifically focused on the Black Student Pathway, Indigenous Pathway, and Northern and Rural Pathway. These sessions will cover more specific details about each of these admission pathways, as well as introduce you to the pathway contacts who work right here at the IMP.

All of the 2026 – 2027 information sessions are available simultaneously in-person on UVic campus and on Zoom.

Please RSVP for your preferred session as well as how you would like to attend by clicking the corresponding link below. Please note, in-person seating is limited to 72 people and Zoom spaces are unlimited.

Fall 2026

General Session
September 11, 2026, at 12 p.m. – Register here

Northern and Rural Pathway Session
September 16, 2026, at 12 p.m. – Register here

Indigenous Pathway Session
September 23, 2026, at 12 p.m. – Register here

Black Student Pathway Session
October 2, 2026, at 12 p.m. – Register here

General Session
October 21, 2026, at 12 p.m. – Register here

General Session
November 4, 2026, at 12 p.m. – Register here

Northern and Rural Pathway Session
November 13, 2026, at 12 p.m. – Register here

Indigenous Pathway Session
November 25, 2026, at 12 p.m. – Register here

Black Student Pathway Session
December 1, 2026, at 12 p.m. – Register here

General Session
December 9, 2026, at 12 p.m. – Register here

Spring 2027

Dates and links will be provided for Spring 2027 information sessions in December 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact any member of the IMP admissions team below:

Jessica Skelton, Admissions Coordinator and Northern & Rural Pathway contact (jessicaskelton@uvic.ca)

Johnesha Johnson, Black Initiatives Coordinator, Vancouver Island (johneshajohnson@uvic.ca)

Cici Arsenault, Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator, Vancouver Island (ciceliaa@uvic.ca)

Bringing Healthcare Careers to Life

A high school student lets out a surprised laugh as their leg jumps from the sharp tap of a reflex hammer. Seconds later, their classmates burst into excited chatter.

“Whoa! That’s so cool!”

“Can I try?”

“Me next!”

This is exactly what Allison Plamondon and Kirsten Suesser (both IMP Class of 2028) wanted to hear on the Vancouver Island edition of the Healthcare Travelling Roadshow this May.

“It’s rewarding to watch students become excited about healthcare careers, especially those that may have previously felt out of reach,” says Kirsten, who co-organized the touring career fair with Allison.

The Island Roadshow is part of a province-wide initiative designed to inspire rural and small-town youth to consider careers in healthcare. Led by UBC medical students, the Roadshow brings together teams of post-secondary students studying in a wide range of healthcare programs at institutions across BC. Those teams then travel to the North, Interior, and Island regions of the province, showcasing their chosen careers to high school students. Since its inception as a grass roots initiative at the University of Northern British Columbia in 2010, the Roadshow has reached more than 18,500 students during 116 community visits.

“The Roadshow’s success is surely because the idea came from – and continues to resonate in – rural communities,” says founder and UBC Northern Medical Program faculty member Dr. Sean Maurice. “This initiative does something that we know is important, and that is supported by plenty of research. We know that rural youth face greater barriers in pursuing post-secondary education and health professions education. But we also know that if rural youth do pursue healthcare education, they are more likely than their urban counterparts to choose a rural practice.”

*(L – R) Allison Plamondon and Kirsten Suesser’s passion for rural healthcare inspired them to take on the task of bringing the Roadshow back to the Island for their FLEX project.*

This year on the Island, the Roadshow visited schools in Port McNeill, Campbell River, Comox, Qualicum Beach, and Parksville. At each stop, high school students learned about audiology, cardiology technology, dental hygiene, medicine, midwifery, nursing, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, and speech-language pathology. They tested each other’s reflexes, scraped modeled teeth, intubated a manikin, watched a live ultrasound, and more.

The hands-on demos and one-on-one conversations with healthcare students – many who were only a few years out of high school themselves – brought the careers to life in a way textbooks and videos never could.

Echoing Dr. Maurice, Allison says this level of career exposure and mentorship can be difficult to come by in smaller communities. And growing up in a rural town in the Kootenays, she saw first-hand how this limited access could affect young people. “When students are not introduced to these career pathways early on, they may be less likely to consider pursuing them, particularly given that healthcare education often requires relocation to urban centers,” she says.

“Without a clear understanding of these opportunities, such a transition can feel uncertain or unattainable.”

*High school students learned about different healthcare careers through hands-on demos and one-on-one conversations.*

Kirsten adds that along with bridging the access gap, initiatives like the Roadshow can also help address rural healthcare workforce shortages.

“Rural students are more likely to return to work in rural communities in the future, so investing in youth outreach and mentorship is an important part of strengthening the long-term rural healthcare workforce on Vancouver Island and throughout BC,” she says.

The Roadshow was also a valuable experience for its post-secondary participants. “It’s a great opportunity to learn more about different careers in healthcare and better understand the scope of practice of the people who will one day be my future colleagues,” Kirsten says. “I think that kind of collaboration and understanding is incredibly important in healthcare.”

The 11 post-secondary students and recent graduates who participated in the Island Roadshow represented 10 healthcare programs from four BC institutions.

This is the second time the Roadshow has travelled on Vancouver Island, and the co-organizers are confident it’s here to stay. A large part of their planning process involved building strong relationships with school districts, community organizations, funding supporters, and healthcare partners across the Island. Having communities engaged and invested in the initiative is not only important for keeping the Roadshow going long-term, but it will ensure the initiative meets the needs of local students and communities, they explain.

Two first-year IMP students – Katherine Gray and Bella Pienaar (both IMP Class of 2029) – also came on the Roadshow this year to learn the ropes. They will take over the co-lead positions for next year’s tour.

“This past roadshow was such an incredible experience, and it reminded me how meaningful even a single conversation can be in inspiring students to consider a future in healthcare,” says Bella. “I’m excited to take on a co-lead role next year to build on the success of this past roadshow.”

“I’m very excited about the possibility of reaching new areas [on the Island], honing the lessons we learned during this year’s workshops, and trying to fill the very big shoes that our current leaders have left for us,” adds Katherine. “I can’t wait to see what disciplines make up next year’s team and how they plan to inspire a future generation of allied healthcare professionals.”

*(L – R) Bella Pienaar and Katherine Gray will take over as co-lead of the 2027 Island Roadshow.*

Province-wide, the Roadshow is delivered in partnership with UNBC, UBC Faculty of Medicine, Northern Medical Programs Trust, Rural Education Action Plan, Interior Health Authority, and Island Health.

“The Roadshow is also a great demonstration of the power of partnerships, as the Roadshow requires collaboration between many different organizations across the province,” says Dr. Maurice. “I am delighted that the Roadshow continues to grow and is now a fixture on the Island as well as in the North and Interior of the province.”

To learn more, visit:

Recognizing Passion for Emergency Medicine

As Dr. Foster Wynne (IMP Class of 2026) graduated from medical school this year, he also received the Dr. Jill McEwen Emergency Medicine Award. The award, which honours the late Dr. McEwen, recognizes an outstanding fourth-year MD student who demonstrates an interest in emergency medicine.

When we spoke with Foster, who began his residency at the UBC Emergency Medicine Interior Site in Kelowna this July, it was easy to understand why he received the award. Here’s our conversation about the experiences that drew him to the field and his plans for the future.

*Dr. Foster Wynne credits experiences both inside and outside of medical school – including his work as a wildland firefighter – for inspiring his passion for emergency medicine.*

Congratulations on receiving the Dr. Jill McEwen Emergency Medicine Award, Foster! How did you feel when you learned that you received the award?

Dr. McEwen was a true pioneer in emergency medicine, so receiving an award in her honour was incredibly meaningful. It also made me reflect on how fortunate I’ve been to have such outstanding mentors and teachers throughout my time at UBC. They’ve shaped me into the learner I am today, and I certainly wouldn’t have received this award without all their guidance and help.

What draws you to emergency medicine, and when did you start thinking this was the specialty you wanted to pursue?

Emergency medicine really captures what drew me to medicine in the first place: being someone others can rely on for medical care when they need it most. As an emergency physician, you have the skills and knowledge to approach any problem in any patient, recognize life-threatening illness, and intervene when it matters. These skills and knowledge are both incredibly valuable inside the hospital and outside of it. The fast-paced team environment, the variety of clinical presentations, and the opportunity to work in communities across British Columbia are added bonuses.

I was interested in emergency medicine from the beginning of medical school, but it was my experiences outside of medicine that turned this interest into a calling. Before medical school, I volunteered with search and rescue, and I worked as a wildland firefighter during medical school. These experiences showed me the importance of acute care skills and gave me a strong desire to develop them. After rotating through emergency medicine during my Integrated Community Clerkship in Vernon, I knew it was the specialty I wanted to pursue.

What about your upcoming residency are you most excited for?

It is a dream come true to be training in Kelowna, and I am beyond thrilled to be joining the incredible emergency medicine group in the Interior! I’m also very excited to fully immerse myself in emergency medicine, work hard, and become the best physician I can be over the next five years.

Anything else you would like to add?

To any future student interested in emergency medicine: please don’t hesitate to reach out. I found talking with senior medical students, residents, and staff physicians incredibly helpful throughout my own journey, and I’m always happy to pay that forward!

Small Changes, Big Improvements

Earlier this year, Justin Blackman (IMP Class of 2027) received recognition in the abstract competition at the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting. The abstract he presented, “Reducing Wait Times for Outpatient Liver Biopsy on South Vancouver Island, BC,” placed third in the Quality Improvement Project category.

We sat down with Justin to learn more about the abstract—which he co-authored with Dr. Vamshi Kotha—and the project behind it, as well as his experience at the CAR Annual Scientific Meeting.

*The abstract Justin Blackman (pictured) presented describes a project that he took part in for his second-year FLEX project.*

Hi, Justin! Congratulations on your third-place win at the CAR Abstract Competition. Could you please tell us what the abstract was about?

Our abstract described a quality-improvement project aimed at reducing how long patients on South Vancouver Island waited for an outpatient liver biopsy. These biopsies are often needed to diagnose cancer or determine the next step in treatment, so prolonged waits can be extremely stressful and may delay care. By reorganizing how procedures were reviewed, booked, and performed, our team reduced both the typical and longest wait times by more than 60 per cent, without adding staff, equipment, or new infrastructure. We also eliminated the use of a biopsy technique that sometimes left patients needing a second procedure.

Can you tell us a little bit about the project behind the abstract?

This was a Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) project completed through Island Health’s medical imaging department in Victoria and undertaken as my second-year FLEX project. I worked with Dr. Vamshi Kotha, Island Health’s Interventional Radiology Section Head, as well as our PQI project mentor, Dr. Al Buckley, and PQI project coordinator, Katie Hopper. The broader team also included radiologists, booking staff, nurses, technologists, and departmental leadership.

Because this was quality improvement rather than traditional clinical research, we focused on understanding the existing workflow and testing practical changes in real time. We used Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to test changes one at a time and refine them based on the data.

The interventions included centralizing procedure bookings, creating a consistent group of radiologists to review biopsy requests, introducing a dedicated procedural radiologist shift, and revising booking templates and supports for staff. I helped collect, analyze, visualize, and interpret the data used to plan each change and study its impact during the PDSA cycles. I also helped prepare project deliverables and summaries for knowledge translation, then developed and delivered the project abstract and presentation at the CAR 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting.

The project showed me how sustained improvement often comes from repeatedly testing and refining several coordinated changes rather than relying on a single solution.

What inspired you to enter your abstract into the CAR competition?

The project seemed particularly well suited to the CAR competition because it demonstrated how radiologists can improve patient care not only through individual clinical decisions but also by redesigning the systems in which care is delivered. The results were tangible and locally relevant, but the underlying challenges—including growing demand, limited resources, and complicated workflows—are shared by imaging departments across Canada. I saw the competition as an opportunity to share what our team had learned and to show that meaningful improvements do not always require major new investments.

How did it feel to present your work and place at the competition?

Presenting at the CAR 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting in Montréal was both exciting and intimidating. I have always tried to be the least knowledgeable person in the room (which anyone who knows me will tell you comes quite naturally) because that is where you learn the most. That philosophy feels rather daunting, however, when you are the person standing at the front of the room with the microphone. Placing in the Quality Improvement Project category was therefore a wonderful surprise and a very proud moment. More than anything, it felt like recognition of the entire team’s success and of the time and effort that many people invested in changing a complex clinical process.

It sounds like this project helped you explore radiology during your training. What do you find interesting about this specialty?

It combines broad clinical problem-solving with technology, anatomy, and procedural medicine. Radiologists contribute to the care of patients across nearly every specialty, often at pivotal moments in diagnosis and treatment. I particularly enjoy the challenge of synthesizing complex clinical and imaging information into a clear answer that helps move a patient’s care forward. Radiologists are also, in many ways, systems specialists: they are positioned at the intersection of clinical care, data science, technology, and health-system operations, giving them a front-row seat to how patients, information, workflows, and decisions move through the healthcare system.

The annual CAR Abstract Competition celebrates the work of radiologists and radiologists-in-training. Prizes are awarded to the top-ranking presentations in the Quality Improvement Project, Radiologist-In-Training Research Project, Scientific Research Project, and Educational Exhibit categories.

Sarah Johnson

Patient Programs Coordinator

sarahjo@uvic.ca
250-370-8111 ext. 12386

With a background that spans art, technology, and community programs, Sarah is excited to join the IMP team as the Patient Programs Coordinator. She holds a degree in English and Theatre, has spent most of her career working in software testing and quality engineering, owns a ceramics business and co-manages a pottery studio collective, and has participated as a Standardized Patient since 2013. She’s passionate about people, education, and contributing to the next generation of medical professionals.

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Marcia Docherty

Regional Director of Administration

250-472-5511
mdocherty@uvic.ca

Marcia Docherty (she/her) joins the IMP with extensive academic leadership experience across medicine, allied health, and nursing programs. Her clinical background is as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist and she holds a graduate degree in distributed learning and a doctorate in human and organizational systems. When not at work, you might find Marcia out on one of the local hikes or attending the many cultural events Victoria has to offer.

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From Information Overload to Research Clarity

Research projects can be daunting – especially when you don’t know where to start. That’s where Sarah McGill comes in.

As the Health Data Librarian at UVic Libraries, she supports students in the IMP, UBC Speech-Language Pathology program on Vancouver Island, and UVic School of Medical Sciences Neuroscience Graduate Program. Specifically, she helps them navigate the time-saving advice, powerful tools, and other unique resources able through the university library.

We sat down with Sarah to learn more about her about role and her lifelong love of learning in libraries.

*UVic Health Data Librarian* *Sarah McGill on the trail with Marcus*

Hi Sarah! Could you please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your professional background?

I’m glad for this opportunity to say hello! I grew up in Comox but lived in Ottawa for years, and it’s sweet to be back on the Island.

My expertise is in conducting comprehensive database and Internet literature searches for health systematic reviews and other specialized evidence reviews (such as scoping reviews and health technology assessments). I teach in these areas too. I’m also interested in best practices for managing research data, open data, and sensitive health data.

My background is primarily as a health research librarian at Canada’s Drug Agency, embedded in teams conducting drug and device systematic reviews and other evidence reviews. Early after my undergraduate degree, I spent a few years in biophysics research at UBC and SFU. It was after helping my grandparents find accessible research about Parkinson’s disease that I realised I loved lifelong learning in libraries and completed my Master of Library & Information Science at Western. I’ve worked for a Canadian Indigenous health portal; it was inspiring to support Indigenous-governed policy research. It was at Canada’s Drug Agency that I became an expert at evidence synthesis searching, including finding drug trial research and regulatory publications, while also supporting questions from regional health authority decision makers. One of my favourite searches was for a large Long COVID scoping review in 2020 – 2022, when that condition was just hitting the news. The research team was wonderful, and our review included over 800 studies!

As the Health Data Librarian at UVic, how do you support IMP students working on research projects?

I can provide time-saving advice and tools to IMP students throughout their FLEX projects. It’s common to not know where to begin, and students can meet with me to ask questions. I can advise them on developing a solid research question, writing a protocol, brainstorming a search plan, using review methodology, building a comprehensive search strategy, and finding publications on narrow or tricky topics.

As a research librarian, I can also help students with key technologies like citation software, article screening tools, qualitative analysis tools, and citation mapping tools. My challenge is keeping up with the latest research-specific AI tools. For students hoping to publish, I can also help find candidate journals and navigate publishing fees.

For busy students, I can connect them to the FLEX Libguide and recorded FLEX workshops by MD program librarians on Entrada. Students can take an hour and learn tips to streamline their research from these resources.

Aside from the research aspect of their FLEX projects, are there other things IMP students can ask you to help them with?

I can help students develop research data management plans and data deposit so that their research will follow FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable).

Though it’s not my primary area, I’m also happy to provide feedback on grants, protocols, and other applications. I’m open to any suggestions for library workshops or services too.

Don’t forget that, in addition to their support from Island Health librarians, students can email me questions while on clerkship.

What other tools do IMP students have access to through the libraries that could help them with their research projects?

IMP students have the best of both worlds – access to all the resources at both UBC and UVic libraries! Both libraries have a myriad of workshops both online and in-person. Topics include organizing research data, programming, AI tools, podcasting, 3D printing, and makerspaces. There are also stress-relief workshops. IMP students can also access academic writing services at both universities.

On UVic campus, IMP students have access to quiet and group study spaces at the Mearns-McPherson and Priestly Law libraries. Using their UVic Onecard, students can use the printing stations for a fee and borrow equipment like noise-cancelling headphones, laptops, cameras and recording devices, fidget/sensory kits, and more.

In your opinion, what is the #1 reason why IMP students should take advantage of library resources – such as your help and workshops – during their studies?

Saving time and increasing effectiveness! I can work with them to develop an effective search plan that will save time in their incredibly busy schedules.

You also work with students in the UBC Speech-Language Pathology program on Vancouver Island and in the UVic School of Medical Sciences’ Neuroscience Graduate Program. What resources do these students have access to at the library?

All students in UBC distributed programs on Vancouver Island have full access to both UBC and UVic libraries’ resources. I’m fortunate to work with the UBC Speech-Language Pathology and IMP students. My colleague Zahra Premji (zahrapremji@uvic.ca), who is the Health Research Librarian, works with the UBC Physical Therapy students. Zahra co-teaches the UVic–UAlberta Systematic Review Workshops every spring and fall, which are highly recommended!

I’m also glad to be the librarian for UVic’s Neuroscience Graduate Program! UVic students have access to UVic Library resources only.

What is your favourite part about being the Health Data Librarian?

I love the variety of interesting and valuable research that the students are working on, and it’s a pleasure to connect with them! I learn a lot working with students. I feel fortunate to be their librarian, so I hope I can share my knowledge in return.

How can students connect with you and access library resources?

They can reach me by email at sarahmcgill@uvic.ca or book a meeting during my office hours here. I understand that students have packed schedules, so they can email me to ask about other times. And please say hello if you see me at UVic!

Boosting Clinical Confidence with SIM

Through her previous career as a nurse, Danica Friesen (IMP Class of 2026) spent a lot of time working in clinical environments. When she entered medical school, however, she realized that many of her classmates didn’t have that same level of exposure. She also heard from fellow classmates and upper years how challenging the transition from lecture hall to bedside could be, especially in the context of limited or no previous medical experience.

Danica began to question if there was a way to ease that transition. She wondered if increasing the amount of time first- and second-year medical students spent in clinic could be the key, as well as about how that could be done. So, she decided to use her FLEX time on a research project that could help answer those questions.

“I’m passionate about understanding why we do what we do and figuring out how we can help make things better,” she says.

*Danica Friesen (IMP Class of 2026) published the results of her FLEX project in the* Cureus Journal of Medical Science; Lyndon Rebello (IMP Class of 2026), who helped develop the study, is a co-author.

Danica speculated an answer may be found through the IMP Simulation (SIM) Club, an extracurricular group she had joined in first year and led as co-chair with Lyndon Rebello (IMP Class of 2026) in her second year. The student-run club, which is based out of the Centre for Interprofessional Clinical Simulation Learning (CICSL) at Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital, offers members the opportunity to practice what they’re learning in class using high-fidelity mannequins in an imitation clinical environment.

Based on her own experiences with the group and with previous simulation-based education as a nurse, Danica felt that SIM learning could provide the clinical exposure pre-clerkship students needed. She wanted to know if other students in the club felt the same, so under the supervision of the IMP’s Year 3 Simulation Lead Dr. Barbara Lelj Garolla Di Bard, she worked together with Lyndon to develop a study to explore and quantify their perspectives.

Danica created surveys asking participants about how SIM-based medical education impacts their confidence in clinical decision-making, communication, and clinical skills compared to traditional teaching methods alone. These surveys were distributed both before and after a series of simulations.

*Year 1 students in the IMP Class of 2029 get familiar with the simulation space and equipment at CICSL during their first IMP SIM club meeting in 2025.*

Importantly, the simulations focused on topics that the students had recently covered in class. “Simulation should not come out of the blue,” explains Dr. Lelj Garolla Di Bard. While SIMs allow students to safely experience the pressure of a clinical environment, taking part in one without knowing the theory behind it can cause a different kind of stress that doesn’t support learning. “Simulation needs to be done around things you are learning so you can reapply your knowledge at the level that is appropriate for you.”

In total, 67 surveys were analyzed (35 pre-simulation and 32 post-simulation). The pre-simulation responses indicated participants felt a low level of confidence in all the areas listed in the survey. The post-simulation ratings, on the other hand, showed that they felt a significant increase in their confidence across all domains. Students also reported afterward that they perceived simulation as more effective than traditional didactic learning alone in preparing them for clinical practice.

The results of Danica’s FLEX project suggest that increased access to SIM learning could help medical students feel more prepared for the transition into clinical environments during Year 3 clerkship. These students in the IMP Class of 2029 did not participate in the study, but they will put the results to the test when they enter clerkship in two years.

Dr. Lelj Garolla Di Bard notes that as the study participants were already members of the IMP SIM club, there was a good chance they were going to view SIM learning positively. Still, she thinks Danica’s findings are worth noting and could be the jumping off point for additional research. “I think simulation is a great way to learn medicine, and people recognize it.” Some people are better at learning by doing, she says, and some people remember information more effectively when learning under pressure.

Lannie Sullivan (IMP Class of 2028), who now runs the IMP SIM club with Vincent Michaud (IMP Class of 2028), adds that this kind of learning experience isn’t just about getting hands-on practice. It also teaches students how to leverage the power of a team, use closed-loop communication techniques, and self-regulate in high-stress environments.

After peer review, Danica published her results in Cureus Journal of Medical Science. She and Dr. Lelj Garolla Di Bard hope the study shows the value of SIM-based medical education and possibly leads to more support for it at the club – and even the curricular – level.

Danica’s study suggests that increased access to SIM learning could help more students feel prepared for the transition into clinical environments during Year 3 clerkship. “Ultimately, I view incorporating simulation is a form of advocacy both for learners and for patients,” she says. “We know there is significant evidence showing that SIM improves knowledge retention and helps learners apply theory more effectively in real clinical scenarios. So, incorporating SIM earlier in medical education has the potential to improve both medical education and, by extension, patient care and safety.”