Grad Spotlights - NMP Class of 2021
Meet some of our graduates from the NMP's Class of 2021 who will soon be moving on to the next stage of training – two to seven years of residency (depending on specialty).
Tarissa Alec
Hometown: Prince George, B.C.
What attracted you to your field?
I am from a small remote Indigenous reserve, Takla Landing, and my dad is currently chief of our nation. Throughout my life, he has instilled in us a sense of commitment to our people and our community. My husband is also an Indigenous doctor who cares for Indigenous populations across Northern B.C. They are both great role models, and I went into medicine so that I could provide culturally competent care to Indigenous communities.
I originally intended to become a rural family doctor who would serve Indigenous communities, but throughout my clerkship my interest in psychiatry grew. I was deeply touched and inspired by the many patients that I encountered during my psychiatry rotations. I remember meeting a young child who had already experienced significant traumas in their short life. I was so inspired by their resiliency as they had already overcome so much, and the child psychiatrist who was working with them had obviously made a positive impact on their life. I clearly remember walking home from work that day thinking, “this is what I need to do.” I was motivated by the opportunity to improve a person’s life trajectory through early intervention. I became confident in my decision to pursue psychiatry, and ultimately become a child and adolescent psychiatrist.
What is your favourite moment from your time at the NMP/UBC?
I can’t say that I have one favourite moment in particular. I do have many fond memories of our class in the lecture theaters at the Northern Medical Program. As a distributed site, we have very small class sizes. It kind of feels like being in elementary school all over again. We are with the same people every day for two years and so we all become really close. These friendships were invaluable to me during clerkship when times became stressful. It is nice to be able to lean on people who are going through similar struggles.
What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Enjoy your life! And medical school is not life. It is easy to become caught up in the pressures of performing academically and it seems like we are constantly being evaluated by preceptors or instructors. We are also surrounded by superhero classmates who are not only brilliant, but also incredible athletes or artists, etc. Try not to compare yourself to others. You are there to become the best clinician that you can be so that you can provide safe and compassionate care to your patients. In order for that to happen, you need to take care of yourself first and foremost. Make sure to schedule in a nonmedical self-care activity every day, no matter how small.
And never be afraid to ask for help. We have amazing faculty who only want the best for us. I started medical school with a 1.5-year-old and had two more children before I graduated. Student affairs was so supportive, they really went above and beyond to make sure I was cared for not only academically but also socially/emotionally.
What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?
As a mom of three young boys, if I’m not working or studying then I’m usually spending time with my family. We try to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Being a parent during medical school most certainly had its challenges, but it can also be very grounding. It reminds me what’s important in life and about why I pursued medicine in the first place.
What’s next for you?
I feel so lucky to have matched to UBC’s Psychiatry Program in Prince George. I get to train and live in my home community - close to my traditional territory near Takla Landing. I hope to become a child and adolescent psychiatrist with a special interest in addictions psychiatry. I intend to work with Indigenous communities in Northern B.C., through both outreach and telepsychiatry.
Chelsea Rae Monell
Hometown: Prince George, B.C. (Lheidli T’enneh territory)
What attracted you to medicine?
Growing up, I knew I wanted a job where I could travel, work with people, and have the potential to create positive change in my community. In high school, I first thought that I would do a literature and political science degree and go into journalism (my dream job was the reporter from the movie Blood Diamond). Around that time, I started volunteering at the hospital in Prince George and became interested in the world of healthcare. I realized that with a degree in medicine, I could also work in different communities and influence change.
During my undergraduate degree, I learned about the history and current realities of Indigenous Peoples and colonization, the ongoing effects on health and wellness, and about my own identity as a white-presenting mixed heritage Indigenous person (I am Anishinaabe through my mother’s side and my grandfather came from the area around Kenora, Ontario, but grew up on Lheidli T’enneh territory in Prince George). The emotions I experienced going through this learning process helped me realize that I wanted to serve Indigenous communities, be an advocate to influence healthcare and policy, and become a rural family physician.
What is your favourite moment from your time at the NMP/UBC?
I have many fond memories from medical school, including living with an amazing group of girls in Vancouver during my first year, bonding with my northern classmates during boot camp and trivia night, and finding three lifelong friends during my Integrated Community Clerkship in Fort St. John. That said, one of the best things about being at the NMP was having the opportunity to work with Dr. Nadine Caron, one of my mentors. Through her, I discovered and attended a public health institute at Johns Hopkins University and completed the UBC Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health (CEIH) Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Public Health – which was launched by Dr. Caron and an amazing team at the UBC SPPH. These were life-changing events that shaped my personal and professional identity and provided me with an incredible group of mentors and peers. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be the person I am now without these experiences.
What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Never give up on the passions and convictions that drove you to apply to medical school in the first place. Medical school can be tough and demanding - from hours spent over books during pre-clinical years to the days and nights spent at the hospital during clerkship. I did have some moments through medical school where I felt like medicine might not be for me because I could not picture myself doing the work some people around me were doing. But by connecting with doctors, residents, and students with a similar worldview, I realized it was possible to do the work in a way that felt right for me. On those tough days, remember to be true to yourself and seek out like-minded peers and mentors that keep you feeling inspired. Having that support network to listen to you and inspire you to keep going will be instrumental to your success.
What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?
Something that always brings me joy is being outdoors and connecting with nature. Whether it is hiking, kayaking, riding my mountain bike, bird watching, or sitting in a garden, I need to spend time outdoors each day to keep me sane. This was my biggest fear in applying to residency in Vancouver, but I am happy to say I found an apartment next to a park with a duck pond and a view of the mountains, so I am 90 per cent sure I will hold on to my sanity during residency!
What’s next for you?
I’ll be moving to Vancouver to start my residency in the Indigenous Family Medicine Program. I am so excited to be starting this next part of my journey and hope to return to Northern B.C. as often as possible during residency for outreach clinics to First Nations communities. After residency, my plan is to start practicing with a focus in addictions, maternity care, reproductive and sexual health, and rural outreach. I am also considering doing extra training in obstetrics and surgical skills to provide c-sections in smaller communities.
Paige Murphy
Hometown: Campbell River, BC
What attracted you to medicine?
I have always loved meeting new people and learning their stories which is a big part of what attracted me to medicine. Getting to interact with patients and their families throughout their health challenges has been one of the most rewarding aspects of medical school and something that I look forward to having over the course of my career.
What is your favourite moment from your time at the NMP/UBC?
I loved getting to know all of the medical students in Prince George, so the NMP Ball where we were all able to celebrate together each year was such a highlight!
What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Medicine is challenging and I think that one of the most important things we can do is to find a support system and reflect on the things that bring you joy outside of school. The balance won’t always be perfect but remembering the things that make you feel like yourself will allow you to bring your best self to your patients and your work.
What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?
Few things make me happier than a perfect cup of tea on a cold day.
What’s next for you?
I am moving to Victoria to complete my pediatrics residency then hope to practice general pediatrics on Vancouver Island when I am done. I am so thankful for all of the opportunities that studying at the Northern Medical Program provided me with and am excited to be moving closer to family and friends for this next chapter.
Matthew Webber
Hometown: Terrace, B.C.
What attracted you to medicine?
Medicine appealed to me for many reasons. In high school and university I developed a passion for health sciences and human biology, while in my past work experiences I have always enjoyed helping and improving the lives of others in any way that I could. Medicine seemed like the perfect matrimony of these two things: being able to continuously learn and decode the mysteries of the human body, as well as provide treatment and comfort to those that are sick and struggling; potentially helping them through some of the challenging circumstances of their life. This is what really drove me towards a career in medicine initially.
What is your favourite moment from your time at the NMP/UBC?
It’s so hard to choose just one, but If I had to I would say it was the first time meeting members of the NMP cohort in the first week of medical school. At the time I was pretty anxious about living in Vancouver and starting medical school as a whole. Meeting and getting to know my NMP classmates in a smaller gathering helped calm some of those early stresses, and made me feel like I really belonged in the class and program. These friendships went on to endure four years of medical school and I undoubtedly will hold them dear for the rest of my life.
What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Don’t let go of the things you love. At times it may seem like being a medical student is an ever increasing part of your self-identity (and of your time). It is of course important to work hard in your learning, but don’t forget to take care of yourself. Keep doing the hobbies or activities you love, and take time for yourself to relax and recharge. Medicine is incredibly rewarding but also can be quite taxing. If you hold onto the things that bring you joy in your personal life, you’ll be much better equipped to handle the coming challenges and stresses of your work/school life.
What is one small pleasure that brings you joy?
Music! Whether its listening to music from the artists I love or playing along and writing with one of the many instruments littering my room, music will always bring me a lot of joy.
What’s next for you?
Myself, my partner, my cat (Mr. Peanutbutter, or ‘Chunk’ for short), and my dog (Ravioli, or ‘Chumba’ for short) will be heading to Nanaimo, where I will be completing my Family Medicine residency! Though I am sad to be leaving northern BC, I am beyond excited for the new opportunities in a completely new environment.