As Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Tammy Attia is continually in contact with our NMP students across all four medical education years and that ongoing connection lies at the heart of what she most enjoys in her role.

“This job puts me smack in the middle of students’ journeys unfolding. It’s an inspiration to simply witness these stories,” says Tammy. “How much more of an honour it is to be part of them, and in more than an academic or clinical way!”

In her role, Tammy provides resources to our NMP students, including personal support, academic support, financial services, career guidance and preparation.

“My job is to support students throughout their medical school journey, in a safe and confidential way, at arm's length from any evaluative role. Whether it is career planning or helping a student navigate a particular circumstance, I am always excited to see how students' stories take shape.” 

She also works closely with the Student Affairs teams at UBC Faculty of Medicine’s other distributed sites across the province, which include the Vancouver Family Medicine Program (VFMP), the Island Medical Program (IMP) and the Southern Medical Program (SMP).

After joining the NMP team last July for a three-year term as Assistant Dean, Tammy entered a momentous year in medical education marked by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This is a job that can only be done with strong support,” notes Tammy. “Even in these toughest times, there is a contagious positive energy when I work with NMP faculty and staff, as well as the UBC Student Affairs Team. I get access to a healthy dose of wisdom Q1H PRN. I feel honoured to be working with this team, whom I've known for a long time in different capacities.”

When she is not at the NMP in her Assistant Dean capacity, Tammy can be found in her regular role as a full-service Prince George family physician in a residency teaching practice.

Tammy thoroughly enjoys both of her positions that relate to medical trainees.

“No matter how much I try to contribute to either role, whether it is teaching as a preceptor or being there to support students with the NMP, I always end up on the plus side of the equation. It's fulfilling but also inspiring.”

Tammy completed her MD at Dalhousie University and then trained in the UBC Northern Rural Family Medicine program. She then remained in Prince George after completing her residency. She has served as Faculty Development Coordinator, and then Co-Director, for the UBC MD Undergraduate Program in the NMP and for the Prince George Family Medicine Residency Program, and she previously was the Interim Assistant Dean during the 2018-19 academic year. In 2019 and 2021, as Director of Healer’s Art at the NMP, she successfully launched the inaugural Healer’s Art program with the support of the then Student Affairs team. In this pandemic year, as shadowing was on hold, she launched UBC’s Virtual Cup of Coffee program to help students with early career exploration.

Tammy looks forward to a new chapter of connecting with students when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, and has a special message for students.

“As soon as I can have face-to-face meetings, chocolate and hot drinks will be made available!”