UBC, UNBC strive to graduate more Aboriginal MDs

A recent segment on CKPG TV highlights the efforts of the University of British Columbia and the University of Northern British Columbia to graduate more Aboriginal medical professionals. The report notes that in 2006, UBC set a goal of 50 additional Medical Program graduates by 2020. To date, it has already surpassed that goal, graduating 63 Aboriginal MDs. The university has also been working closely with UNBC to entice more Aboriginal high school students and undergraduate students with an annual workshop on medical education. Associate Vice President of the UNBC Northern Medical Program Paul Winwood says that in every year since the program started in 2006, the school has enrolled a number of Aboriginal students who have gone on to perform residency training. Winwood adds that he believes “many of [the students] will come back to practice in Northern BC, and specifically in areas where there are large numbers of Indigenous peoples.” UBC