Pancake Breakfast and Ceremony on May 10
Pancake Breakfast and Ceremony on May 10
May 7, 2008
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23 students will make history this month when they become the first
graduates of the Northern Medical Program, a ground-breaking innovation
in medical education delivered by the UBC Faculty of Medicine in
collaboration with the University of Northern British Columbia. The Northern Medical Program (NMP) started in 2004 and the opening of the Dr. Donald Rix Northern Health Sciences Centre at UNBC coincided with the University’s 10th anniversary of full operations. The NMP was part of an expanded UBC Faculty of Medicine that also included the creation of the Island Medical Program based at the University of Victoria and an increased annual intake of students at UBC in Vancouver. Prior to 2004, UBC annually admitted 128 students into medicine; now, the number is 256. “The expansion of the Faculty of Medicine was necessary for the province, and the creation of the NMP was a courageous response to a critical need for physicians in northern and rural communities,” says David Snadden, Associate Vice-Provost for Medicine and Associate Dean of the Northern Medical Program. “The graduation of our first students is testimony to the vision and perseverance of northerners, the vision and commitment of government, and the support of all of our partners in delivering a world-class medical education.” Three events are planned to mark the first graduation: May 10, 7 - 10am – pancake breakfast in the parking lot at Prince George Regional Hospital as a ‘thank you’ from the students to the hospital staff, NMP volunteers, and local residents – EVERYONE WELCOME May 10, 1:30pm – ceremony in the Agora Courtyard at UNBC recognizing each of the program’s first 23 graduates and their families – EVERYONE WELCOME May 21, 8:30am – official graduation ceremony hosted by the Faculty of Medicine at the UBC campus in Vancouver. The Northern Medical Program was the first program of its kind in Canada and is recognized for its use of state-of-the-art telecommunications to allow delivery of an undergraduate medical curriculum in a northern and rural setting. Lectures and labs are held concurrently in Prince George, Victoria, and Vancouver using a network able to accommodate data transfer equivalent to downloading 6000 songs over the internet in one second. Students also learn the core curriculum in small group sessions and clinical settings in hospitals and health clinics throughout the North. “This experience has been valuable for the students and communities alike,” says Dr. Snadden. “In fact, 70% of our first grads have selected residencies in family practice – a rate roughly double that of other Canadian medical schools. In addition, half have selected placements with a strong rural component.” The Northern Medical Program currently admits 32 students per year. After completing the first semester at UBC in Vancouver, students can complete the balance of their medical education in northern BC. Hometowns of the Class of 2008
Contact: David Snadden, Northern Medical Program – 250.960.6731 Ali Liversage, UBC Faculty of Medicine – 604.827.3301 Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622 |
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  Above: The first graduates of the Northern Medical Program (seven students are missing)
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