Born into a family of teachers, Dr. Heather Buckley has deep ties to education in B.C. She earned both her undergraduate and medical degrees from UBC, and after completing her family medicine residency in Ontario, returned to practice and raise her family in the same Tsawwassen neighbourhood where she grew up.
Following a lifelong passion for learning, she began teaching at the UBC Faculty of Medicine as a young doctor and never looked back. Now, after 20 years of teaching and roles helping to strengthen UBC’s undergraduate medical education program, she’s supporting the growth and success of other faculty members as Associate Dean, Faculty Development.
We spoke with Dr. Buckley, also a clinical associate professor in the Department of Family Practice and a scholar at the Centre for Health Education Scholarship (CHES), about her goals and aspirations and her best piece of advice.
Who inspires you and why?
My dad was a school teacher and my mom was a piano teacher. They inspired my path to medicine and my love of learning, both through who they are and how they’ve lived their lives. On the flip side, seeing how my three children are figuring out their own paths is also inspiring to me.
I’m also motivated by my colleagues at UBC. One delightful aspect of taking on this leadership role is that I get to know more people working at our sites all across the province. In the Office of Faculty Development, our team members live their values, have a strong work ethic and care for each other.
For you, what makes UBC different?
I’ve seen tremendous growth and expansion at UBC over the years as I transitioned from a learner to a faculty member. The Faculty of Medicine’s distributed model of education makes UBC really unique and allows us to learn about other areas and cultures in B.C.
I think we can all learn and grow by encountering these differences and understanding more about our beautiful province and its diverse communities. We know how much this benefits our learners, but it also has a profound impact on us as faculty and staff as well.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career?
One expression that I’ve heard and said a lot is attributed to American writer Kenneth Burke: “Every way of seeing is a way of not seeing.” It’s been a guiding principle for me when I’m in leadership roles because as one individual, you can’t be all-seeing. If you’re looking to the left, you’re not looking to the right, so bringing in other perspectives is critical.
First job:
I worked at a fresh produce stand selling local fruits and vegetables from the farms in Delta where I grew up. I had a passion for math in high school, so I liked being a cashier and meeting people.
Secret talent:
I also used to jump rope on a demonstration skipping team that travelled across the province for Jump Rope for Heart.
What are your main goals or aspirations?
In the Faculty of Medicine, we’re in an exciting period of growing our education programs to help meet the needs of our province. There are wonderful opportunities in Faculty Development to support that growth as we work closely with faculty who are teaching the next generation of doctors and health professionals. I’m hopeful and excited to support faculty members as we implement innovative and relational ways to connect with them. I want to understand their perspectives and help them feel the sense of belonging with UBC that I feel.
I’m also looking at how we can strengthen our Faculty Development network. My goal is to see how we can meet the needs of our diverse populations in a coordinated manner and in alignment with the Faculty’s Strategic Plan.
How do you like to recharge?
I love spending time with my family — I go for a walk with my husband almost every day, and he also prepares fantastic meals that allow our family to eat together on a somewhat regular basis. I also love spending time with friends at dinners and on weekend trips. For me, recharging is spending time with people.
Favourite spot in B.C.
One of my favourite spots is my home. l’ve lived in Tsawwassen for my whole life — I only left for six years to train in Ontario. At the end of the day, home is where I can relax.
Published: November 2024
