Alexandra Blair 

Hometown: Smithers, BC

What attracted you to your field?

I didn't always know I wanted to become a doctor, but I have always felt a calling to the work of helping and healing. When I was growing up, my mom was a single parent going to school to become an RN, and we lived in poverty for many years. In this context, even as a young person, I learned about the joys that serving your community and being a person others could turn to could bring. I saw how a community was able to hold one another up, working together. I learned a lot about empathy and compassion. As I moved through the public school system and my love for science and a drive to understand the human body grew, everything eventually came together!

What is your favourite moment from your time at NMP?

My favorite moments during my time at the NMP involve all my amazing peers. I couldn't have imagined the immense sense of pride I would feel for my colleagues, watching them grow and succeed over the years. We had so many great times in and out of clinical settings, and the love and support shared has been incomparable. The community development in this program is really special!

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering the NMP?

I think one of the most valuable things I (eventually) developed more of throughout my medical education was intrinsic motivation. In medicine you are surrounded my so many amazing, inspiring people (hello, imposter syndrome). Comparison is hard not to do, and the expectations of your assessors are rapidly shifting as your learning settings change throughout the four years. But truly, I know you are a smart and capable individual (dear colleague) and you can trust that you know when you are trying your best and putting in the time and effort required to grow. This is constantly in flux with your own personal life and balancing demands, and that should be expected because - surprise - you're human! 

You will get better at understanding when you are performing as would be expected for your level of training, and get more comfortable with being in a phase of learning and growth where you don't know everything and that is normal and expected. Once you're more at peace with these concepts, you can take feedback and challenges in stride, and adjust your learning strategies as you go without being overly self-critical. Most days anyways! This makes the learning experience more fun for certain. Be kind to yourself friends and kindness will pour out of you!

What’s next for you?

I am very grateful to have matched to the new Rural Immersion Family Medicine Program. I am going back to where I spent most of my young life, in the territory of the Wet’suwet’en First Nations, namely the town of Smithers. I can't wait to return to the mountains and small town living.

I am so excited to take on an integrated learning style residency program in a rural setting. I think that this program delivery model and the features of rural practice will work well together, and that the learning will be rich and rewarding. I am also very excited to give back to the Northern communities that have nurtured me over many years. 

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Atlin Braaten

Hometown: Fort St. John, BC

What attracted you to your field?

I was raised in the rural community of Fort St. John in northern B.C., where consistent access to healthcare was a significant challenge. The turning point in my life came when my family was connected to a compassionate and empathetic family doctor. His impact propelled me to choose a career in family medicine, with a specific intent to serve rural and remote communities in our province who face inequitable access to health care.

What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?

Among the many enriching experiences at UBC, the one that stands out the most was joining my partner Kim, who is also a graduate of the Northern Medical Program (NMP), for an elective in Haida Gwaii. We were deeply touched by the community’s hospitality and the opportunity to contribute to the opening of the new Skidegate Health Centre. The ingenuity and dedication of the medical professionals there left a lasting impression, and I can’t wait to return to this vibrant community soon.
I want to give special thanks to the Chilliwack Integrated Community Clerkship program director, Dr. Scott Bakker, and the program coordinator, Trudy Sargent, for supporting my path. I also want to thank the entire medical community at the Hope Medical Centre for mentoring and inspiring me to pursue a career in rural family medicine and to become a future rural clinical educator.

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?

Be true to yourself. Studying medicine can be tough and sometimes you’ll feel worn out. Remember the root reasons why you wanted to do this in the first place – and keep those at the forefront throughout your medical school journey. You got into this program because of your unique story, so hold on to that, especially when things get difficult.

What’s next for you?

While I’ll miss my friends from the NMP, I’m very excited and grateful to be returning to my hometown of Fort St. John for my residency in rural family medicine. It really is a full circle moment!

I’m looking forward to the opportunity and privilege to work and train as a family medicine resident in the community I grew up in. I’m eager to learn from the phenomenal rural clinicians of northern B.C. and give back to the community that raised me and supported me throughout my journey to become a family doctor.

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Nora Boileau Morrison

Hometown: Tofino, B.C.

What attracted you to your field?

Being able to work with pre-exsisting systems - families, schools, and communities to make change in patients lives. Collaboration with care teams. The resilience of pediatric patients, which is unparalleled.

What is your favourite moment from your time at NMP? 

Hiking and skiing in Northern BC

What is one piece of advice you have for students entering the NMP?

To practice work-life balance early in the first years of medicine. There is a lot of time to learn and practice medicine, and we can only do so to our full potential when we are living with our personal health and happiness as a priority.

What’s next for you?

Before heading to Winnipeg for pediatrics residency, I'll be welcoming my first baby this summer and spending maternity leave back home in Tofino. Beach walks, fish tacos, and baby snuggles is well welcomed after a decade of school.