Medical students join physician mentors at Doctors of BC event

UBC medical students came together with practicing physicians from a variety of specialties to gather information about career planning and lifestyle choices at the first-ever Life in Medicine: Doctors of BC Mentorship Dinner February 27, 2014 in Vancouver, BC.

The event is just one of the new initiatives coming out of Doctors of BC’s three-year strategic plan that focuses on stronger engagement with medical students, residents and members. 

The event was organized as a “speed networking” dinner, where eleven physicians rotated from table to table to talk about their career and explain why their chosen specialty is fulfilling to them. Over 120 students were able to ask questions about work and lifestyle choices and gain a deeper understanding of what opportunities were available for them in each discipline.

Dr William Cunningham, an ER physician and President of Doctors of BC, was one of the mentors. He told the audience that throughout the year he’s met and heard students voice their concern about the lack of career counselling before graduation.

“We are supporting medical students to get information before they make their career choices, something they’ve told us they want,” said Dr William Cunningham, President of Doctors of BC. “We believe that by engaging with students - the doctors of tomorrow - now and throughout their careers, we will help them become influential physician leaders who can make a meaningful difference to their patients, their communities and to the health care system.”

Throughout the event doctors and students were animated in their conversations and laughter was heard throughout the room. Students agreed that while the evening was busy, it was also of great value and they were happy they attended.

Second-year medical student, Claire Campion-Wright said she gained new perspective of her future path, when many physicians commented how they’ve adapted their practice as their career evolved.
“I left the evening with no sense of certainty in which specialty is ‘meant for me’, but instead felt that each specialty can be fulfilling in its own way and that we can make what we want of our careers,” said Ms Campion-Wright.

More such events will be planned in the future, and students will also be invited to have lunch with the President as he travels around the province. Please checkwww.doctorsofbc.ca for the latest information on upcoming events.