2018 Northern Medical Program Graduate - Dr. Lida Hellqvist

May 15, 2018

Name: Lida Hellqvist

Hometown: Grande Prairie, AB

What attracted you to your field?
Medicine is a field that allows me to work with a wide variety of people as we work together to make their lives better.  It offers continual personal growth as I have to improve my knowledge, skills, and ability to work with people.  There are very few fields that allow me to have as varied and helpful an occupation with such a depth of lifelong learning.

In 10 years, what UBC or NMP moment will you still be talking about?
I will always think of how it feels to run into a fellow NMPer when outside of Prince George.  It feels like running into an old friend or trusted family member. Seeing someone from home when on rotation in Vancouver is always a breath of fresh air.

What’s next for you?
I am honoured to have been accepted into a rural family practice residency program in Fort St John, BC.  I look forward to learning alongside the residents and medical community there for the next two years.  I have special interest in the areas of emergency medicine and addiction medicine and hope to gain extra skills in these areas and bring them home to the north.

As you look ahead, what (or who) inspires you?
I am inspired by my two grandmothers.  My maternal grandmother teaches me how to be a strong advocate and be persistent in standing up for what is right.  My paternal grandmother taught me kindness and gentleness.

Name one thing on your bucket list.
Just one thing?  I have at least a dozen trips around the world on that list and near the top is a road trip through the Yukon and NWT.