From Information Overload to Research Clarity
In this Q&A, health data librarian Sarah McGill shares how she transformed her love of lifelong learning into a career focused on helping healthcare students access research resources.
Boosting Clinical Confidence with SIM
The results of Danica Friesen’s (IMP Class of 2026) FLEX research project, which were published in Cureus Journal of Medical Science, suggest that simulation-based medical education could help prepare pre-clerkship medical students for clinical practice by boosting their confidence in key competence areas.
Evening Info Session with Dr. Carolan & Medical Learners
Join Dr. Hannah Carolan, Assistant Dean of Admissions; current medical learners; and the IMP admissions coordinator for a special evening info session about our program and its admissions process, what it takes to become a doctor, and what it’s like studying medicine on Vancouver Island.
Celebrating Teaching Excellence
We caught up with the 2025 Teaching Awards recipients to celebrate their contributions and learn more about their experiences as educators at the UBC IMP and UVic School of Medical Sciences.
IMP Welcomes Class of 2029
As the IMP Class of 2029 enters its second month of medical school in Victoria, we’d like to introduce you to a few members of the class: Sarah, Claire, and Milena.
Celebrating 20 Years of Training Doctors on Vancouver Island
Dr. Matilda Taylor (IMP Class of 2025), Dr. Ryan Heron (IMP Class of 2017), and Dr. Laura Farrell (UBC MD Class of 2002) reflect on the program’s strong sense of community and commitment to improve health and wellbeing in communities across the region.
Catching up with Dr. Ivanishvili
We caught up with a member of the program’s second cohort, Dr. Zurab Ivanishvili (IMP Class of 2009), to find out what he’s been up to since graduation, if there are any aspects of medicine that have surprised him, and if he has a favourite memory from medical school.
Long-time Teaching Dedication
Many things have changed at the IMP, but Kurt McBurney and Dr. Jane Gair’s presence have remained consistent. The teaching professors, who are based in the UVic School of Medical Sciences (previously, the Division of Medical Sciences), have both been with the program for 20 years. We were able to connect with Kurt to ask him about his journey from lab technician to full professor, as well as his thoughts about the past, present, and future of medical education on Vancouver Island.
A Chat with Dr. Casiro
As the inaugural Regional Associate Dean, Vancouver Island and the first Head of the UVic Division of Medical Sciences, Dr. Oscar Casiro played an integral role in bringing distributed medical education to Vancouver Island. In this interview, we ask Dr. Casiro about his experiences leading the UBC MD Undergraduate Program (MDUP) Island Medical Program (IMP) through its first decade, what he’s doing today, and more.
Catching Up with Dr. Wright
As the second Regional Associate Dean, Vancouver Island and Head of the UVic Division of Medical Sciences, Dr. Bruce Wright facilitated the continued development of distributed medical education on Vancouver Island. In this interview, we ask Dr. Wright about his experiences leading the UBC MD Undergraduate Program (MDUP) Island Medical Program (IMP) from 2014 – 2024, what he’s doing today, and more.