The Division of Medical Sciences is committed to education and research that improves health outcomes in northern, rural, and Indigenous communities and has worldwide impact. This mission is accomplished through externally-funded faculty research programs where DMS faculty and their research teams are conducting research in, and in partnership with Canadians living in northern and rural areas. 

DMS faculty research focuses on foundational life sciences, health research and medical education. Health research crosses all pillars of health research, including biomedical research, clinical research, health services research and social/cultural/environmental health research.

Academic faculty of the DMS hold tenured or tenure-track appointments at UNBC or UBC, with affiliate faculty appointments at the reciprocal institution. They are members of the Northern Medical Program (NMP), the Master of Physical Therapy - North (MPT-N) or the Master of Occupational Therapy - North (MOT-N). They supervise undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate research trainees through UNBC and UBC, and UBC health professions students participate in research with DMS faculty for curricular and extra-curricular research experiences. Through this supervision, DMS faculty are educating the next generation of health scientists in Canada.