Doctors of BC bursary smooths the path to a future in rural family medicine

Medical student Cohord Mason’s upbringing on a small ranch on the edge of Kamloops instilled in him a love of rodeo, biology, and rural British Columbia—three passions he’s working to combine in a career as a family physician.

Growing up with his parents, two brothers, and several horses, cows, dogs and cats, Cohord participated in the 4H youth development program, calf roping, and hockey. After high school, he tried his hand at varsity rodeo at Odessa College in Texas.

“I wanted to see where rodeo would take me,” says Cohord. “I’d like to think I was pretty good.”

Due to the high cost of tuition in the US, Cohord returned to Kamloops after a year. He pursued an undergraduate degree in cellular, molecular, and microbial biology before being accepted into the Southern Medical Program at UBC Okanagan.

Last year, Cohord was one of 124 medical students who received a bursary of $1,750 from Doctors of BC. In total, the association provided $217,000 in bursary support to medical students who demonstrate financial need. 

“The support of Doctors of BC was much appreciated,” says Cohord, now a third-year medical student. “It has supported my work toward a career in rural family medicine and lessened my line of credit.”

An experience working in a laboratory collecting blood, combined with his lifelong fascination with the human body and the inspiration of his mother in nursing and older brother in medicine, solidified a new passion for Cohord—working with patients and in the hospital.  

After his residency, Cohord plans to set up his family medicine practice in a small town in the BC Interior or Kootenays, where he can enjoy the outdoors and someday get a horse so he can ride and rope again.

“In a small town, you feel more connected to the community,” says Cohord. “Chances are, you’re going to run into your patients, who are also your friends and neighbours. It’s an interesting dynamic, but if you maintain your professionalism, it’s a good opportunity to get to know your patients more deeply to understand what actually goes on in their lives.”

Doctors of BC is proud to support the next generation of BC physicians, our doctors of tomorrow. For more information on how Doctors of BC supports our medical students, see our Resource Centre.