Grad Spotlights - NMP Class of 2020
Meet some of our recent grads! The NMP's Class of 2020 has graduated and is moving on to the next stage of training – two to seven years of residency (depending on specialty).
Kirsten Bock
Hometown: 100 Mile House, BC
What attracted you to medicine?
I've wanted to be a doctor for about as long as I can remember. It's pretty generic, but I've always thought that it's a really cool way to heal people.
What is your favourite moment from your time at the NMP?
I've had such a great time being part of the NMP and am so thankful for all my time here. It is hard to pick one memory as there are so many good ones. I always loved the annual Otway ski night. It is so great to have all the faculty and students together and really reminds me of what a great community the NMP is!
As you look ahead, what (or who) inspires you?
Looking forward, I get inspiration from a lot of different things. My family, patients, the doctors and other healthcare professionals that I get to work with. It's hard to pick just one.
What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?
Just being able to get outside! Whether for a ski, a run or bike. We are so lucky to live in BC!! Also delicious food!
What's next for you?
Next, I'm headed to Vancouver to start my training to become an OBGYN. I'm sad to be leaving Prince George, but also very excited for future adventures.
Kate Christison
Hometown: Prince Rupert, BC
What attracted you to medicine?
Prior to medicine I worked as an ICU nurse at UHNBC. I loved nursing - primarily the hands on aspect, critical thinking and patient advocacy. I knew with medicine I could employ all of these skills, expand my knowledge and have more agency over the care of my patients. I began my pursuit of medicine after 5 years of nursing and am so happy I did.
What is your favourite moment from your time at the NMP?
My favourite moment would probably be the first day welcome from the NMP faculty and admin staff in Prince George. I was so nervous at the time but felt so welcomed by everyone and excited to meet my peers. I look back now and am so grateful to have been introduced to such amazing people who have supported me along the way. The NMP has gone above and beyond for its students. I have also been lucky enough to find lifelong friends in my peers.
As you look ahead, what (or who) inspires you?
There is no one person or thing that inspires me. Everyone in the health care system, from physcians to nurses to patients inspire me every day. It is humbling to get to be a part of it all.
What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?
Knowing I'm moving closer to home! I can't wait to be nearer to family and friends and continue my pursuit of medicine in Northern BC.
What's next for you?
I will be starting my Family Practice residency in Terrace, BC in July.
Randi George
Hometown: Hagwilget Village & Prince George
What attracted you to medicine?
I had never thought about a career in medicine until the final years of my Bachelor of Science degree at UNBC. I was trying to figure out what the next steps in my career would be when my Auntie suggested I should be a Doctor. At first I laughed because I thought she was kidding. It had never occurred to me that I, a little Indigenous girl from a small Northern BC Reserve, could be a Doctor. It's not something I had ever seen or even heard of growing up, but I decided to look into it so I joined the Pre-Med Club at UNBC and began volunteering weekly at the Prince George Hospital. After graduation, I got a job working as a Medical Office Assistant (MOA) at Central Interior Native Health Society (CINHS) working with the Indigenous and disadvantaged population of downtown Prince George. I watched so many people change their lives under the compassionate care of CINHS with its interdisciplinary team and culturally inclusive approach. The amazing staff and incredible patients changed me forever, both professionally and personally. And they clarified and confirmed my dreams - I wanted to work primarily in medical care, but I also want to dedicate my life to education and advocacy with regards to the issues faced by my people and our communities.
What is your favourite moment from your time at the NMP?
In First Year, I participated in a research project with Dr. Sarah de Leeuw and a few Second Year students. They were looking into the impact cultural exposure opportunities could have on improving relationships between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples, especially in the medical system. The purpose was to facilitate immersive learning experiences for medical students in the homes and communities of First Nations families in Northern BC and to critically evaluate this teaching/learning strategy in cultivating awareness, sensitivity, and competency in medical students as future care providers. For this, myself and my family volunteered to bring two medical students with us home to Hagwilget that summer for my cousin’s funeral feast. We wanted to show them how our communities come together to support each other, whether it be in loss or in celebration. We hosted the students for the weekend in my grandfather’s home in our village and included them in our traditional feast, introduced them to our Chief and community members, showed them historical landmarks/locations, and told them our traditional stories and teachings. It was such an honour for myself and my family to have students who were so eager and open-hearted to learn about our traditions, history, and people. Both students have since become good friends of mine and have continued to be involved in Indigenous Health in their careers - one as a general practitioner working at CINHS and the other in her Psychiatry Residency in Prince George.
As you look ahead, what (or who) inspires you?
While I feel fortunate to have been raised on my father’s traditional territories, it was not without its hardships. Life on reserve meant that my childhood was influenced by culture, traditions, and history, but it was also impacted by the legacy of colonization and all of its implications such as poverty, alcoholism/drugs, and violence. When I was just four years old I lost my cousin Tammy to suicide, just months before she was to graduate high school. This was the first time I heard the words “depression” and “suicide”, but it certainly wouldn’t be the last. Losing her impacted me tremendously and I vowed that her death would not be in vain and that we would never forget her love and life. Growing up I often wondered what our lives would be like if someone was able to recognize the signs of her struggles and if she received the help that she so desperately needed. Her loss, along with my life and work with Indigenous and marginalized populations, inspired me to pursue a career in mental health. Being trusted with someone’s story and walking along side them on their healing journeys is such an honouring and humbling experience. I am continually inspired by the resiliency of people, families, and communities whom have faced so much yet continue to not only survive, but often thrive in the face of such adversities. And for those whom are lost in their pain and struggles, I want to walk along side them as well and honour wherever they are on their paths. My wish would be for no one to struggle without being at least seen, heard, and understood. Over the years, the stigma of mental health has improved quite a bit but we still have a lot to go. And I look forward to being a part of this change and growth in the field of mental health.
What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?
Being a nature is one of my greatest joys, especially being anywhere in, on, or near water. If I can see it, feel it, or hear it, I am at such peace. Water has always been one of my most grounding and recharging forces. I have an amazing partner Allison and two incredible step-kiddos, Zoey (9) and Hunter (5) whom also enjoy my passion. We love to walk along the river, swim in the lake, explore the ocean, and find streams, ponds, or waterfalls.
What's next for you?
I matched to the UBC Psychiatry Program in Fraser-Vancouver. While I didn't end up getting a Prince George spot, as I had hoped to continue my training in the North, my heart smiles knowing I will be fulfilling my dream (and I truly believe, my destiny) to be a psychiatrist and serve within my home territories of British Columbia. I have a special interest in trauma, both childhood and inter-generational, and all that I can lead to, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, suicide and addictions.
My goal is to work with Indigenous (and otherwise marginalized) populations, especially given the painful history of colonization that still impacts the health of many individuals, families, communities, and nations to this day. I hope to become a bridge, to help build connection, trust, and congruency between Indigenous peoples/communities and the medical community/system while continuing to be an advocate for mental health and Indigenous wellness. I am excited to start on my career path and hope to come back to Northern BC as soon as I am able. I dream of practicing primarily based in Prince George, where I have lived and worked for over 20 years now, while also outreaching to remote/isolated Indigenous communities. I would especially love to return to my home community of Hagwilget/Hazleton one day and act as a role model to our Indigenous youth, encouraging them to overcome their struggles and pursue their dreams, whatever those may by. Never dreamed you could be a Doctor? Well, I'm here to show you that you can.
Travis Gordon
Hometown: Campbell River, BC
What attracted you to medicine?
My grandfather has been a mentor of mine. He was a GP in Campbell River, where I grew up, and I was able to see the immense impact he has able to have on generations of families in our small community growing up. Also, I have always really enjoyed working with people. From an early age I was also involved in team sports, including hockey and baseball. It was during these sports that I suffered multiple musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries allowed me to see first had the incredible role physicians, physio therapists, and other allied healthcare providers had on others well being. I originally set out to become a physiotherapist during my undergraduate training, but soon became enamoured in the inner workings of the human body. Having worked predominantly in labour intensive jobs during my summers, which included salmon fishing, construction, and painting. I really enjoyed with my hands. Medicine seemed to be the perfect blend of anatomy/physiology, working with others in a team based environment, and helping people achieve their best.
What is your favourite moment from your time at the NMP?
It's hard to pinpoint one particular event from my time in Prince George. I think getting to meet such a diverse group of wonderful colleagues, who I have been able to grow with over the past 4 years has been my favourite part. We have also been incredibly lucky to have such passionate and dedicated administration staff, preceptors, and mentors in the North, which has been instrumental to our training.
As you look ahead, what (or who) inspires you?
I reflect back on all of the positive experiences I've had throughout my training, and will strive to emulate compassionate patient centered care, which has been instilled in my by many of the preceptors, and allied healthcare professionals that I've had the privilege to work with over these 4 years.
What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?
GOLF!
What's next for you?
I am moving to Vancouver to begin my five-year residency training in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery at UBC.
Arlin Munro
Hometown: Nelson, BC
What attracted you to medicine?
I became interested in medicine during my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. I was fascinated with the human body in times of health and disease. Medicine allows me to be continuously learning while working with people and providing a needed public service.
What is your favourite moment from your time at the NMP?
It's hard to choose with such a long list of fond memories from the NMP. One of our Jasper ski trips probably take the cake. Somehow we ended up with nearly the whole hill to ourselves on a long weekend with plenty of fresh snow. Hard to beat that!
As you look ahead, what (or who) inspires you?
I'm inspired every day by my classmates. We have people going off to every corner of this country where they will do amazing things. It's been a real honour to be part of such an accomplished group and I can't wait to see what they will do next!
What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?
My trick for surviving long overnight call shifts in clerkship was to always go fly fishing the next day during the summer months.That way I sort of looked forward to these long nights because it meant I had a day on the water coming up too.
What's next for you?
I'm thrilled to have matched to Family Medicine at UBC South Okanagan in Penticton. I'm looking forward to a little downtime over the next month and then getting ready to hit the ground running July 1st.