Thirty-two students, of which 17 are alumni of Vancouver Island high schools, will graduate from the Island Medical Program this year. We spoke to four individuals from the Class of 2020 about their experiences in the program, where they’re headed next, and what inspires them.
Brianna Crighton
Hometown: Quadra Island, BC
Residency Program: Family Medicine
What attracted you to your field?
I decided to pursue a career in medicine so I could contribute to my community, affect positive change, and empower others to pursue wellness. Family medicine stood out to me for the great diversity in the scope of practice and the fact it offers the opportunity to develop longitudinal relationships with my patients and the flexibility to adapt my career over time.
What is your favourite moment from your time at the IMP/UBC?
It’s difficult to choose a single favourite memory from the past four years! I have many memories with my classmates—who have become family—at the Island Medical Program. A highlight for me was our yearly class trip to Tofino, which was filled with beaches, surfing, and tacos.
As you look ahead, what or who inspires you?
I have been continuously inspired by all of the patients who have shared their stories with me and contributed to my education, as well as the many passionate and dedicated physicians who adapt their practice and advocate for improved health access to provide the best care to their patients.
What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?
I love the ocean. Spending time exploring new areas by kayak and walking along the beach both bring me joy.
What’s next for you?
I will be starting a rural family medicine residency program in Campbell River. I am extremely grateful to continue my training in my home community. I look forward to practicing in small communities, providing a full-scope of care to my patients.
Vincent Soh
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Residency Program: Family Medicine
What attracted you to your field?
I was initially pulled towards family medicine because my passion has always been preventive medicine. Having said that, I went into medical school open to other options. There were instances during clerkship when I considered other specialties like emergency medicine, but I always came back to family medicine as I feel it is the only discipline in which one has the opportunity to develop relationships with people from all walks of life.
What is your favourite moment from your time at the IMP/UBC?
This is a tough one. I’ve enjoyed every moment of my time at UBC, especially third and fourth year. Every day was exciting and I experienced so many firsts. One moment that especially stands out is my first day of clerkship in my cardiac surgery rotation when I got to see and feel a beating heart for the first time! I am sure that no matter how experienced of a physician I become, I will never forget how humbled I felt in that moment.
As you look ahead, what or who inspires you?
My colleagues. In the past four years, I have met some of the most amazing and driven people. I’ve had the privilege of calling them my classmates, and they’ve become some of my closest friends. It truly makes me happy to know that the future of healthcare is full of such passionate and well-rounded individuals. They inspire me to grow as a person and as a future physician who they would also be proud to call their colleague.
What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?
Watching a good film. There aren’t many things more satisfying than losing yourself in a well-developed plot. Ever since my undergrad years, my ritual has been to watch a movie before an exam to ease my nerves. It helps me to relax and remove myself from potential stressors. Hopefully, there will be time in residency to catch a good film every now and then!
Jocelyn Chai
Hometown: Richmond, BC
Residency Program: Internal Medicine
What attracted you to your field?
Coming from a background in pharmacy, internal medicine felt more intuitive to me. Throughout clerkship, I realized my love for chasing zebras and going down rabbit holes of medically complex patient cases. I also love working in a team of residents and medical students who constantly inspire me to be better.
What is your favourite moment from your time at the IMP/UBC?
There were countless moments that have made Victoria feel like a home away from home. I have made lifelong friendships, attempted to eat at all the brunch spots in Canada’s brunch capital, and had amazing weekend getaways to Tofino and Port Renfrew, just to name a few.
As you look ahead, what or who inspires you?
I am inspired by all the incredible people who have been with me on this journey, including my friends, mentors, and, of course, my parents, who have shown me selfless love and support.
What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?
FaceTime with my puppy, Princess, never ceases to brighten up my day!
What’s next for you?
I will be moving back home to Vancouver for residency and will be spending some much-needed time with my parents and my puppy.
Nick Slater
Hometown: Victoria, BC
Residency Program: Internal Medicine
What attracted you to your field?
As a naturally curious person with a background in research and a passion for patient-centered care, internal medicine seemed like the perfect fit. Throughout my internal medicine electives, I enjoyed the opportunity to tackle interesting and diagnostically challenging cases while forming longitudinal physician-patient relationships. I fondly remember the patients on the Clinical Teaching Unit who I had the privilege of helping on their journey to overcome their disease. For me, medicine is all about lifelong learning and application of knowledge to better an individual’s well-being, and internal medicine provides tremendous opportunity to accomplish this.
What is your favorite moment from your time at UBC?
I think I need a short novel to do this question justice. While I expected to be trained as a competent physician at UBC, I did not anticipate forming such cherished, lifelong friendships with my classmates. The stories that we share are my favourite moments from my time at UBC.
As you look ahead, what or who inspires you?
As a member of the IMP Class of 2020, it is hard not to be inspired by my classmates every day. Our class has everyone from accomplished musicians to amazing parents, and they are all the most kind-hearted and altruistic people I have ever met. I am also inspired by the patients who share their stories with me and whose lives I am fortunate enough to be a part of. Lastly, I am inspired by my wife, whose unconditional love and support remains a constant source of strength and resiliency.
What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?
My wife and I have two cats at home. One is fluffy and loves to snuggle but is a bit of a menace, and the other is very affectionate but a bit anxious. Their daily shenanigans bring me joy.
What’s next for you?
I feel very fortunate to be joining the internal medicine residency program in Victoria. I look forward to joining an outstanding internal medicine program with a tremendous culture of education, passionate staff, and a truly great group of residents.