Brittany Calibaba
Year in Program: Year 1
Hometown: Calgary, AB
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I wanted to become a more integral part of my community while being able to nerd-out on the neat science-y part of medicine.
What are you looking forward to most this upcoming year?
I am super excited to meet everyone from my year at the IMP! Also, learning.
What did you study before attending the IMP?
I just graduated this year with a B.Sc. in biochemistry from the (sometimes forgotten) UBC Okanagan campus.
Proudest moment?
The obvious choice is getting into UBC’s MD Undergraduate Program, but aside from that, having one of my BARK animations used at conferences, high schools, etc.
What’s next on your BC bucket list?
I really want to get more active, explore Victoria, and try all sorts of fun outdoors activities. Also, getting to know BC and its beauties wouldn’t hurt. I’ve actually never been to Victoria before, but I’ve only heard good things and I’ve always dreamed of having an excuse to go.
Shan Rajapakshe
Year in Program: Year 1
Hometown: Kelowna, BC
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
Inspiration from my parents combined with great advice from mentors working in the medical field helped me make the long journey into medicine. I wanted to use the skills I accumulated over the years in computer and data sciences, as well as in health research, to help improve the health of Canadians overall.
What are you looking forward to most this upcoming year?
I’m looking forward to forging lifelong friendships with an incredible cohort of like-minded peers and learning how I can best use my skills to serve the medical field.
What did you study before attending the IMP?
Just before studying at the IMP, I completed a M.Sc. in population and public health at UBC. Prior to that, I completed a B.Sc. in computer science at UBCO.
Proudest moment?
Successfully defending my master’s thesis! It was one of the hardest things I have ever done.
What’s next on your BC bucket list?
Either a full trip along the Pacific Coast Trail or picking up skiing or snowboarding again and shredding some powder up at Whistler-Blackcomb!
Kash Gwiazda
Year in Program: Year 1
Hometown: Victoria BC
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a Power Ranger. When I learned that wasn’t a real thing (to my sincere dismay), I decided to try the second coolest thing: medicine! I love science, art, helping people, and solving puzzles, and medicine is a fascinating intersection of all that.
What am I looking forward to most this upcoming year?
Anatomy labs and meeting all the amazing people in the program!
What did I study before attending IMP?
I have a B.Sc. in combined biology and psychology, and half a B.Sc. in kinesiology, from UVic.
Proudest moment?
Saving four out of five penalty kicks to help qualify my Vikes soccer team for CIS nationals, and being accepted to the IMP!
Next on my BC bucket list?
I want to hike the Lions, visit Haida Gwaii, and finally learn to surf.
Ted Chen
Year in Program: Year 1
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
The fascination of complex medical science. The intricacies of the human body. The privilege to witness and participate in the delicate moments of the human experience.
What are you looking forward to most this upcoming year?
Making a group of ragtag friends that will help each other through this growth-stimulating journey.
What did you study before attending the IMP?
Mechanical engineering. It’s the best career choice if you want to constantly hear, “Oh you’re a mechanical engineer? Can you fix my car for me?”
Proudest moment?
When I went into my manager’s office to tell him I’m quitting my well-paved engineering career for a dream that comes with a 10% success rate. He froze for a good five seconds.
What’s next on your BC bucket list?
Learn how to swim properly so I won’t get lapped by my 1.5-year-old nephew.
Lauren Wotton
Year in Program: Year 1
Hometown: Kamloops, BC
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
When I started my B.Sc., I was 99% sure I did not want to pursue medicine. I thought I’d end up studying zoology or something similar. However the courses I enjoyed most were those concerning human health and disease and those that offered hands-on experience in the form of a laboratory component. Further research into medical careers provided me with the deciding factor in my choice to pursue medicine: an introduction to the role of pathologists. With its opportunities for lifelong learning, small-town living, and a behind-the-scenes collaborative work environment, this career sounded like an ideal fit for me. I’ll be able to use my interests and skills to help others.
What are you looking forward to most this upcoming year?
This year I am most looking forward to starting medical school and finding out everything that it entails. I am excited for the new knowledge and unique experiences that will come with attending the IMP, as well as meeting everyone involved (my classmates, upper-year students, preceptors, etc.). In my personal life, I am looking forward to the release of Taylor Swift’s new album and the possibility of a supporting concert, the Arrowverse “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event, and cheering on Team Canada at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
What did you study before attending the IMP?
I studied biology at UVic, where I earned my B.Sc.
Proudest moment?
My proudest moment was receiving the UVic Jubilee Medal for Science, which is awarded to the Faculty of Science undergraduate with the highest graduating average. I was very surprised and honoured to receive this award; it was such a great ending to my degree. However, completing my gold-medal-winning, personal-best-scoring balance beam routine at what would turn out to be my last gymnastics competition is a close second.
What’s next on your BC bucket list?
I would love to visit more of the Gulf Islands or join a kayaking trip to explore some of the islands and inlets off Vancouver Island’s west coast. However, a northern BC road trip along the Alaska Highway or Great Northern Circle Route to the Yukon or Alaska is currently at the top of my BC bucket list. In addition, many of my favourite TV shows are shot in Vancouver, so I’d love to get the opportunity to watch them film while I am there for the start of this program.
Hamish Frayne
Year in Program: Year 3
Hometown: Fort Langley, BC
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
Before medicine, I worked as a lifeguard, taught swimming lessons and pursued a chemistry degree. I loved the first-aid and medicine of lifeguarding, the teaching and human interactions of swimming lessons and the science of chemistry. I find medicine to be the perfect blend of all of these interests.
What are you looking forward to most this upcoming year?
I’m pursuing my clerkship at the ICC program in Vernon. Everyone here (especially the doctors) mountain bikes, cross-country skis and climbs, so I’m excited to have an active year outdoors! Hoping for no major injuries.
Best piece of advice for your fellow IMP students?
Set reasonable expectations for yourself. Next to upper-years, residents and attending physicians, it’s easy to feel pretty inadequate—but everyone has to learn sometime!
First job?
I was the guy who copies paper at Staples… but I was at a much smaller company than Staples.
What’s next on your Victoria bucket list?
When I get back from Vernon, I’m heading to John’s Place for their famous Catch 22 brunch.