A Patient’s Perspective on Healthcare

Tina has a special role at the IMP: she teaches first-year medical students to view the healthcare system from a patient’s perspective.

Tina is part of the First Patient Program, which pairs first-year medical students with community volunteers diagnosed with chronic medical conditions. Along with sharing her medical history with students to teach them more about her condition, Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS), Tina shares more personal details like how she experiences KFS on a day-to-day basis and how it affects her social, mental, and emotional well-being. She also allows the students to accompany her to multiple medical appointments to better understand her experiences with the healthcare system.

“We are so grateful to First Patient volunteers who share their personal healthcare journey. People with chronic conditions have unique healthcare needs, and their experiences and insights are invaluable for training effective, conscientious doctors,” says Sammie Gough, Patient Program Coordinator. “With volunteers meeting their students multiple times over an eleven-month period, this long-term relationship helps students to learn about the experience of illness through the patient’s eyes and the importance of continuity of care in medicine.”

We sat down with Tina to ask her about herself, her time in the First Patient Program, and the lessons of honesty, perseverance, communication, and keeping an open mind she imparts to her students.

Hi, Tina! Could you briefly introduce yourself?
I’m funny, but I am honest and fair… Well, I’m not necessarily fair, but I definitely believe in equity. I’ve been told I’m very unusual. I give without the concept of debt or score keeping. I grew up in Denmark. If you have too many potatoes, you share with your cousin or neighbour; you don’t put them in your cellar and keep them forever. A day will come when you don’t have any and you will be so grateful that someone feels the care and love to share their potatoes with you. We don’t all realize how we impact one another because we don’t always see it all the time. I want to see I am making a difference and be intentional about it.

How long have you been a volunteer with the First Patient Program?
I think four years. It’s hard to tell – there’s COVID in the middle there… Yes, I believe there’s been five sets of students I’ve connected with.

If you would like, could you tell us a little about your chronic condition and how it affects your life?
I have KFS. I was born with it. I was diagnosed with it when I was four and a half months old. It’s musculoskeletal and it also affects other organs. Over the last 20 years they are coming to understand how complex it [KFS] is. In my case, it affects eyesight. I have no depth perception. My eyes focus but don’t layer. I have learned depth perception. I have never been able to move my arms above my head. I have limited range with my arms. I also have scoliosis and spina bifida. For many years, I was fine. I was active; I was a mostly typical kid. As an adult, things have deteriorated. About 20 years ago, I was put on oxygen – most likely related to KFS. I put on weight after taking a risk to have a child. So now it affects me more as I age. I have a lot more problems with the movement of my neck as I really don’t have one. So, there are challenges around the house; I can’t do housework. Since I had my fall and broke my legs, I don’t do a lot of walking. I can walk, stand, but I don’t do a lot of walking. There is a lot going on: the KFS, lungs, legs. I also have arthritis and cancer.

What originally inspired you to start volunteering?
Going into it, I wasn’t completely clear on what the program was about. I knew it had something to do with medical students; I was told it was part of the training program. I’ve realized that the motivation for me was that the doctor I had wasn’t meeting my needs. I had come across lots of doctors whose ability to deal with patients who are outside the box wasn’t great. I thought if I could have an opportunity to help open the mind of medical students to see things from a different perspective so they might end up being more aware that there isn’t just one size fits all, then I wanted to be a part of it. I saw that students would have an opportunity to hear from someone who doesn’t fit into the box.

What motivates you to continue working with medical students?
Some of the best situations I’ve experienced in the medical realm have been when the doctor, nurse, or tech has taken a moment and said, “I don’t know everything. I am gonna take a step back and ask the person that knows all about their body: the patient.” By appearance, I look like I can’t stand for two minutes, but I can. Without communicating with me and asking me if I can, then I may miss out on a test because you judged what my abilities are without asking. By being open to asking what we can do together to make it happen, we’ve been able to do tests I was told weren’t possible.

What unique perspectives and experiences are you able to share with medical students in the First Patient Program?
I am always quite open to questions students have. Often our discussions revolve around the accessibility of medical care and, like I was saying, the jump to judgment of what I am capable of and my experiences around that. The feedback I get from students on what they take away from it is the different perspective of realizing that how a person appears isn’t necessarily everything that is going on. They tell me that they also learn perseverance. Don’t give up! Everybody deserves your best, including you. Just because you aren’t that square peg in the square hole doesn’t mean there isn’t a way to make things work, but it takes perseverance. You can’t walk away without giving it a good try.

What do you enjoy about the program?
I like meeting people – people fascinate me. I am amazed at the different perspectives students have on choosing to pursue a medical career that requires such incredible commitment. I find it interesting to hear about the new ways things are being taught. And I feel like I’m contributing somehow. I can’t work. The one thing that is a constant in my life is my health. It’s the one thing I know a lot about, so teaching about it seems like the thing to do. I am one of 42,000 people who have my condition [KFS].

Do you have a particular volunteer memory you’d like to share?
I have found with every set of students I’ve had that they are so considerate, attentive, and genuine, with sincere gratitude for the program. And I feel honoured by that. I sometimes wish there was more I could do.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of becoming First Patient?
Don’t hesitate to be honest. The students won’t learn anything if you aren’t honest. “Be the change you want to see in the world.” That’s my mantra in this. It’s my biggest motivator to do this. I want to see the medical community have a greater understanding of what disability is. Don’t underestimate people. I really just want students to be aware of how much they affect their patients and how they can do that in a positive way, especially if they are looking for cooperation.

The First Patient Program is always interested in receiving applications from new volunteers. For more information about this opportunity, visit the IMP website or contact Sammie Gough at patientprograms@uvic.ca.

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Info Session with Dr. Shirzad & IMP Students

Do you want to be a doctor? Find out how you can earn your MD on Vancouver Island with the Island Medical Program (IMP), which delivers the UBC MD Undergraduate Program (MDUP) in collaboration with UVic and Island Health.

At this special evening information session, you’ll learn about the MDUP and the IMP, the admissions process, what it takes to become a doctor, and what it’s like being in medical school. A Q&A period will follow the presentation.

Dr. Shahin Shirzad, Assistant Dean of Admissions, will co-host this special evening information session with current IMP students. The IMP admissions coordinator will also be on-hand to answer questions.

This session will be held simultaneously in-person at UVic and online via Zoom. (Please note, there are only 72 in-person seats available). You can select which type of seat you would like through the registration link below. You will receive the Zoom or in-person location details after completing your registration.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

What: Island Medical Program info session with Dr. Shahin Shirzad

When: Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Where: University of Victoria Medical Sciences Building, Rm. 150 (Closest parking in Lots 6 & E) and Zoom

Tickets/Cost: Reserve your free in-person or Zoom seat here

2023 Teaching Award Winners Announced

Kurt McBurney and Drs. Sarah Chritchley, Yasmin Derayat, Sara Taylor, and Michael Thomson are the recipients of the 2023 Teaching Awards, which recognize their teaching contributions to the UBC IMP and the UVic Division of Medical Sciences.

“Our program is extremely fortunate to have such hard working and talented individuals involved in the medical education and training of our students,” says Dr. Bruce Wright, Regional Associate Dean, Vancouver Island, UBC, and Head, Division of Medical Sciences, UVic. “They have all shown tremendous dedication to our students and, ultimately, to better healthcare on Vancouver Island.”

Dr. Sarah Chritchley (Family Medicine)
IMP Community Family Physician Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching

This award acknowledges the outstanding dedication, enthusiasm, and expertise that a family physician demonstrates in teaching first- and second-year IMP students. Students in the IMP Class of 2025 nominated Dr. Chritchley for this award when asked to identify an extraordinary preceptor who made an impact on them during their first two years of medical education and who they felt was deserving of recognition.

Dr. Yasmin Derayat (Pediatrics)
2023 Resident Teaching Excellence Award

This award acknowledges the outstanding dedication, enthusiasm and respect that residents demonstrate in teaching the third-year IMP students. Current fourth-year IMP students recommended Dr. Derayat for this award based on experiences during their third year.

Kurt McBurney (Teaching Professor)
Teaching Award in Medical Sciences for 2023

This award recognizes the teaching excellence of a full-time or affiliate UVic faculty member who has completed at least two consecutive years of teaching duties in the IMP preclinical years or the Division of Medical Sciences.

Dr. Sara Taylor (Family Medicine)
Dr. Bruce Crawford Award of Excellence for 2023

This is an annual award is presented by the IMP’s third-year students to the teacher, preceptor, or tutor who has made an impact on their first two years of medical training.

Dr. Michael Thomson (Emergency Medicine)
2023 Vancouver Island Clerkship Preceptors Teaching Excellence Award

This award acknowledges the outstanding dedication, enthusiasm and respect a clerkship preceptor demonstrates in teaching the IMP’s third-year students. Current fourth-year IMP students recommended Dr. Thomson for this award based on experiences during their third year.

Emergency Medicine rotation (accepted by Dr. James Goulding)
2023 Island Medical Program Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award

This award acknowledges the rotation that provides the most efficient, supportive, and engaging learning environment for IMP’s third-year clinical clerk medical students. Current fourth-year IMP students recommended the rotation for this award based on experiences during their third year. This is the second year in a row that the Emergency Medicine rotation has received this award.

IMP Welcomes the Class of 2027

As the IMP Class of 2027 finishes its first full month of medical school, we’d like to introduce you to a few members of the class.

Audrey Esemezie (she/her)

What inspired you to pursue medicine?
For the majority of my life, I had been relatively healthy. But at the age of 17, I developed a debilitating autoimmune illness. My illness led me to my current specialist physician, who dramatically improved my quality of life, gave me hope, and advocated for me. I have always been enamored by science but living with a chronic illness evoked a desire to give other patients the same hope and relief I received from my doctor and treatments. As a Canadian originating from Nigeria, I am also aware of the disproportionate representation of racialized individuals in the healthcare system and the barriers to medicine many racialized patients experience. I wanted to join the important fight to delineate these healthcare inequities.

Why did you choose the IMP / UBC?
Having lived in Ontario for the past 12 years, I felt that it was time to start a new chapter in my life. While attending information sessions about the UBC MD Undergraduate Program and the IMP, I was moved by how students and faculty spoke so passionately about living in British Columbia and about the program’s focus on developing student competency, serving underserved communities, and enhancing advocacy for patients. The IMP offers all of these wonderful components but with a smaller cohort, which will give me the ability to form a strong community with my classmates and develop closer connections with the faculty. It also helps that it rarely snows in Victoria!

If you could travel anywhere in B.C., where would you go and why?
This is my first time in B.C., so I would love to go everywhere! I feel that there are so many wonders to visit in the province. But if I were to pick a couple to begin with, I would say Tofino, Yoho National Park, and Joffre Lakes Park. The pictures I’ve seen of these places look breathtaking and ethereal, so I imagine that experiencing them would be life changing. I will definitely be getting recommendations from my colleagues to make a good B.C. travel itinerary.

Nathan Johal (he/him)

What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I decided to pursue medicine after I finished my undergrad at UVic and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I scoured the internet trying to figure out the best way to approach such a massive decision. My go-with-the-flow self dreaded this process. After a long process of self-reflection, I decided that medicine aligned most with what I wanted to get out of life. To summarize: it feels beyond rewarding to dedicate myself to lifelong learning with the purpose of helping others with their health—our most fundamental gratitude.

Why did you choose the IMP / UBC?
I knew UBC was the school for me because I couldn’t imagine living anywhere outside B.C. When picking a site, I considered the Island and Vancouver. Ultimately, I’m ecstatic I decided to stay home. Having lived here since birth, I have a lot of social circles and support systems that keep me grounded and give me a life outside of being a med student. Ultimately, I love the Island and the community here with my whole heart, and I feel so fortunate to have grown up here. I don’t think I’ll ever leave because I can’t imagine finding another place that means as much to me as here.

If you could travel anywhere in B.C., where would you go and why?
I would travel to Tsawwassen to visit my grandparents. They’re getting older and I want to spend as much time with them as I can. I’d also like to travel to Prince George because I’ve yet to travel to Northern B.C.! Come to think of it, I haven’t seen too much of B.C. outside of the Island and the bigger cities; maybe I’ll just have to head on a road trip of the whole province!

Andrew Mitchell (he/him)

What inspired you to pursue medicine?
Medicine wasn’t really on my radar growing up, but my family and friends encouraged me to consider it during university. Although it sounds cliché, I’ve always wanted to have a career where I can make a difference and constantly be learning and improving in the process. The opportunity to combine long-term interests in science and teaching with helping others was what ultimately led me to apply.

Why did you choose the IMP / UBC?
I’ve been fortunate to cross paths with a lot of UBC medical students over the years, so the program was top of mind when I decided to apply. Another draw for the IMP specifically was that it was close to home – I grew up in Port McNeill, a small town on the northern part of Vancouver Island. After living in Prince George for almost seven years for undergrad and later for work, it’s been great to be back on the coast and closer to family.

If you could travel anywhere in B.C., where would you go and why?
There are so many places in the province I would love to visit, but the top of my list would be Haida Gwaii. It would be amazing to see more of B.C.’s coastline, and I’ve heard nothing but good things from people who’ve gone! Honorable mention goes to the Kootenays, which has lots of communities and parks I would love to check out.

Fall 2023 IMP Info Session Dates Released

(Note, registration links are below)

Do you want to know more about the Island Medical Program (IMP) and learn how you can earn your MD on Vancouver Island?

Join the IMP Admissions Coordinator for one of our free hour-long information sessions, which you can attend in-person on UVic campus or join simultaneously on Zoom.

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

Everyone is welcome to attend.

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.

After completing the registration survey, you will receive a confirmation email with either a Zoom link or in-person attendance details.

August 31, 2023, at 12 p.m. — Register here
September 21, 2023, at 12 p.m. — Register here
October 19, 2023, at 12 p.m. — Register here
November 21, 2023, at 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (this special evening session will be hosted by Dr. Shahin Shirzad, Assistant Dean of Admissions, and IMP students) — Register here
December 14, 2023, at 1:15 p.m. — Register here

If you have any questions, please contact the IMP Admissions Coordinator at impadmcom@uvic.ca

Indigenous MD Pre-Admissions Workshop Returns to the IMP

The Indigenous MD Pre-Admissions Workshop will return to the IMP for its 20^th anniversary this July.

“The workshop is a chance for us to show prospective Indigenous applicants that not only is there a place for them in medicine, but there is a community of support that will encourage them every step of the way on their journey,” says Meghan MacGillivray (Red River Métis), the Indigenous Student Initiatives Manager for the UBC Faculty of Medicine.

During this three-day event, Indigenous high school and post-secondary students from across BC will learn about pursuing medical education with the UBC MD and residency programs. They will learn how to prepare their medical school applications, participate in lab demonstrations and mock simulations, visit local Indigenous centres, and connect with current Indigenous medical students and residents studying in Victoria.

Cole Daley (Chawathil First Nation; IMP Class of 2025) is one of the current medical students that participants will meet. Cole attended the workshop twice before applying to medical school, and he is excited for the opportunity to give back. “I want to make learning to practice medicine more accessible for the generations that come after me, as the generations of Indigenous physicians did before me,” he says.

“That first workshop was hugely influential for me; I think it was one of the first times I could actually see myself in medical school,” Cole adds. “It helped me to realize that medicine was an attainable goal for me—that my dream of being a doctor wasn’t just some pie-in-the-sky illusion, but something tangible that others had done before me. Secondly, it provided a ton of much-needed application support to me. As a first-generation physician, I had no idea what the process of applying to a program like medicine even entailed, let alone how I could feasibly become a capable applicant. This workshop helped to even the field for me.”

Along with directly supporting prospective students, one of the workshop’s main goals is to increase the number of Indigenous medical students. Despite making up more than four per cent of Canada’s population, less than one per cent of the country’s physicians identify as Indigenous.

“Representation is so important, and we need more Indigenous representation in healthcare,” says Meghan. “Through the workshop, we hope to inspire Indigenous students to confidently pursue a career in medicine and to recognize the value and strengths they bring to medicine.”

“I think all of us as Indigenous health professionals should contribute to reducing barriers for Indigenous students so that they can join us in the field,” adds Cole, who also regularly participates in the Indigenous MD mentorship program Medicine Cousins. “Having more Indigenous colleagues means there are more people to help with the active decolonizing / Indigenizing work needed in many areas of medicine.”

Since the workshop began, 131 Indigenous students have graduated from the UBC MD Undergraduate Program, including 29 students from the IMP.

“Our recent statistics show that around 40 per cent of the Indigenous students enrolled in our MD Undergraduate Program have attended the workshop. So, the workshop is making an impact,” says James Andrew (Lil’wat Nation’s Mount Currie Band), the Associate Director of Indigenous Initiatives in the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Office of the Vice Dean, Education.

The 20^th annual Indigenous MD Pre-Admissions Workshop will take place in Victoria from July 26 – 28, 2023. There is no cost to attend the workshop, though students will be responsible for their travel to and from the event.

If you are an Indigenous high school or post-secondary student interested in attending, please apply online. Application deadline is July 14, 2023.

If you have any questions about the workshop, please view the official workshop brochure or email indigenous.md@ubc.ca

Monique West

Simulation Administrative Assistant

250-519-7700 ext. 13432
cicsl@islandhealth.ca

Monique West is a versatile professional with a diverse background in administration, healthcare, and humanitarian work. Born in California and raised in North Carolina, she brings a multicultural perspective to her work. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Mandarin Chinese, Monique is dedicated to supporting diverse communities in Canada. Holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology, she has made meaningful contributions to various sectors.

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Dr. Lauren Kitney

Site Director, Clinical Skills

laurenkitney@uvic.ca

Dr. Lauren Kitney received her medical degree from the University of Alberta and completed her training in pediatrics at the University of Toronto / The Hospital for Sick Children. She works as a consultant general pediatrician, seeing children – from from newborns to adolescents – with a wide range of medical and developmental problems. Her clinical practice includes hospital work at Victoria General Hospital and a consulting office practice. Dr. Kitney is the Island Medical Program’s Director of Clinical Skills and is the workplace-based assessment lead for the MD Undergraduate Program at UBC.

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Creating Brave Spaces for Learning

Audi has a unique and vital role at the IMP. As a Clinical Teaching Associate (CTA), he is both an instructor and a patient to IMP medical students.

Audi and his fellow CTAs use their own bodies to teach students how to perform sensitive physical examinations – such as chest, gynecological, and urogenital exams – in a safe and respectful way. As CTAs are usually community members trained for the role, their lessons also provide a distinct patient-centred focus to medical education.

“The IMP and its Patient Program are so grateful to CTAs like Audi,” says Sammie Gough, Patient Program Coordinator. “They help students develop respectful and inclusive ways to communicate, as well as share techniques to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for future patients.”

We sat down with Audi to ask him about his time as a CTA and how he creates inclusive learning spaces where consent, curiosity, and personal experience are acknowledged and valued.

Hi! Could you introduce yourself?
Hi! I’m Audi, and I am a queer, transgender nursing student and harm reduction worker. I am a settler of English, Irish, and Danish ancestry, raised here on lək̓ʷəŋən territories / Victoria.

How long have you been a CTA?
Nine months.

What originally inspired you to join the CTA program?
I chose to become a CTA because I wanted to be a part of the hands-on learning process with medical students. I’m passionate about facilitating a brave space where students can not only be curious, ask questions, and integrate their knowledge with a trans patient present, but they can do so in a way where way where my consent and lived experience are valued and respected.

What unique perspectives and experiences are you able to share with medical students?
As a nursing student, I know what it is like to be on the other side of the table as a healthcare professional. As a patient, I also know what it is like to experience a lack of trans-literate, trauma-informed care. I believe these have made me effective at teaching and engaging with students in a way that showcases trans bodies as healthy and normal while also holding space for how complex it can be to be, well, a healthcare student!

CTAs use their own bodies to teach students how to perform sensitive exams. Why do you think it’s important to combine the role of teacher and patient?
Combining the role of teacher and patient is a way to explicitly illustrate how important the patient-provider relationship is in creating positive health outcomes. In short, patients are our best teachers because they each have their own experiences, goals, and needs that we as healthcare providers need to know. It really emphasizes the importance of patient-centered care.

What motivates you to continue participating in the program?
The difference I can make in providers’ approaches to care. I have been able to share my experience and healthcare journey as a queer and trans person, and I can see how important this is to medical students who may have never met someone like me before as a patient.

Do you have any particular memories of your time as a CTA that you’d like to share?
One of the first times I worked with the medical students, I was invited by the supervising physician to speak to the group about gender-neutral language for the body. At the end of session, the physician thanked me for being so open about the topic because they wanted to ensure their students knew how to be inclusive but had never learned the appropriate language themselves. I still think about how transformative that day was for me, and it was all because an experienced physician felt comfortable enough to identify their gap in knowledge while ensuring their students had the opportunity to learn.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of becoming a CTA?
If you feel comfortable with your body and have a passion for engaging in a teaching role, this is for you. If you’re unsure, reach out! Sammie is an amazing coordinator, as are the other staff, and they can help you figure out if this is the right role for you.

The CTA program is currently accepting applications for new participants. For more information about this opportunity, visit the IMP website or contact Sammie Gough at patientprograms@uvic.ca.

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Benefits of a Student-led Virtual Mini Med School

The 2021 – 2022 Island Medical Program (IMP) Mini Med School (MMS) series looked a little different from the norm. Unlike typical MMS events, which university faculty deliver in-person, medical students from the IMP and Vancouver Fraser Medical Program (VFMP) led these sessions online.

Nicole Cameron and Drew Smith (IMP Class of 2024) and Julia De Pieri (VFMP Class of 2024) delivered nine virtual lectures on topics ranging from interpreting test results to diets to stress management. They also asked participants to complete an optional survey about the sessions. Nicole, Drew, and Julia have since translated that data and published their findings in “Mini Med School: why you should try a virtual, medical student-led program” in the You Should Try This section of the Canadian Medical Education Journal.

L-R: Drew Smith and Nicole Cameron (IMP Class of 2024) and Julia De Pieri (VFMP Class of 2024)

Of those who participated in the survey, 90.3% said they enjoyed having students deliver the seminars and 90.9% said they enjoyed being part of the training of medical students.

“Based on my own personal experiences in medical school, I have found the public tends to be quite receptive to having students involved in their care and to helping us learn,” says Drew. “Therefore, it was not surprising to me that the majority of our survey participants enjoyed having us deliver the seminars, enjoyed being a part of our medical training, and would recommend the program to friends.”

Julia also says the fact students tend to use simpler language when explaining medical terminology probably added to the appeal. “I think [the participants] appreciated this as it allowed them to take away more from the talks,” she says.

The students wrote that they benefitted from the experience as well. “We found this to be a great way to further develop our medical communication skills and connect with our communities in a time of social isolation,” says Nicole. “So, it was wonderful to see through this study that the participants also enjoyed and found benefit from the program.”

Nicole, Drew, and Julia also found 63.6% of survey participants said they enjoyed the virtual format. “I think participants enjoyed the virtual aspect as these presentations took place during the peaks of COVID and this allowed them to participate in our talks without feeling like they were putting their health at risk,” explains Julia. She adds that the format allowed people living outside of Victoria to easily access the sessions.

The students say that technology didn’t seem to be a barrier to participation. In fact, they argue that a virtual format has potential to reach isolated or marginalized populations and reduce barriers to accessing accurate health information.

“I was slightly surprised by the fact that the majority of survey respondents would prefer future seminars to be virtual,” says Drew. “I know I am not alone in having Zoom fatigue at this point, so I assumed our respondents would be more eager to have future seminars in-person, or at least a combination of virtual and in-person, despite the benefits of the virtual format.”

Still, the authors suggest considering a combination of in-person and virtual delivery post-pandemic. They also suggest that while students should continue delivering the MMS seminars, host institutions should consider adding a practicing physician presenter as most survey respondents indicated they would enjoy this option.

“I was also not surprised to see the majority would like to hear from practicing clinicians as well,” says Drew. “I believe in general people tend to appreciate input from those with more knowledge and experience around any given topic.”

“Overall, we hope the results of our study will spark the conversation for other medical schools to consider trying a student-led MMS in their community,” says Nicole. “Medical student-led MMS creates a unique opportunity for community members to connect and engage with the education of medical students in the communities they will likely return to serve as physicians.”

Nicole, Drew, and Julia hosted the IMP MMS as part of their FLEX project. Their supervisor Dr. Jane Gair has recordings of all nine sessions on her website. To access, follow the link and click Student Presentations > 2021 – 2022 Presentations.