Congratulations to Sonora Godfrey (IMP Class of 2026) on receiving one of the inaugural Molloy Medicine Awards. The awards recognize medical students across Canada who have made significant contributions in supporting vulnerable and underserved populations.
“I was so shocked and honoured to receive this award, especially while reading the biographies of the other students involved and their incredible achievements. It is so inspiring to hear their stories and such an unbelievable privilege to be honoured alongside them,” Sonora says.
Prior to medical school, Sonora managed an outreach centre, worked in urgent mental health and substance use, took part in antiracism projects, participated in SARS-CoV-2 and overdose prevention research, worked for the Provincial Health Office of Dr. Bonnie Henry, and more. Currently, she works as a researcher with Dr. Tonia Nicholls’ Nicholls Lab at the UBC Department of Psychiatry. Here, she has contributed to projects about the female experience of homelessness, forensic patient needs assessments, and healthcare design.
In the future, Sonora would like to embark on projects providing mental health care to rural and remote communities on Vancouver Island. “I hope to give back in small part to my community,” she says.
“At the IMP, I’ve been privileged to maintain my family and community roots, and balance international research experience with growing relationships in Victoria and Island communities,” she adds. “I can’t wait to continuing growing as an internationally connected and locally rooted care provider focused on the underrepresented groups that most deserve our ongoing humility and dedication.”
While she will always be passionate about supporting mental health and social causes, Sonora says one of the major reasons she wants to become a physician is the opportunity to be an advocate and leader for patients and communities.
“While working in mental health and with underserved populations, [I’ve seen how] the respect and importance the physician placed on the patients’ well-being, comfort, and dignity could mean a ripple effect in their wellness and in the safety and trust of a whole community,” she says. “Patients offer great insight, and it is such an honour to receive their trust; to treasure those relationships and pass on their suggestions, needs, and perspectives so people and communities can feel seen is an exceptional privilege.”
To learn more about Sonora’s work and the other UBC recipients of the Molloy Medicine Awards, please visit med.ubc.ca/news/ubc-medical-students-honoured-with-molloy-medicine-awards/