Inspiring Future Physicians
Since the creation of the Indigenous MD Admissions Pathway in 2002, the UBC Faculty of Medicine has seen more than 120 Indigenous learners graduate from its MD Undergraduate Program.
Today, these physicians are helping to transform health and wellness for patients here at home and across Canada by building a medical system that is more inclusive, representative and equitable.
Meghan MacGillivray (Red River Métis) is the Indigenous Student Initiatives Manager, part of an instrumental team that inspires prospective Indigenous medical students to apply to the program and supports them through their studies.
We sat down with Meghan to learn more about her role and how she supports prospective students.
Title:
Indigenous Student Initiatives Manager
Department/unit:
MD Admissions and Student Affairs
Campus:
UBC Vancouver — unceded and occupied, traditional and ancestral territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) People
How long have you worked at the Faculty of Medicine?
I have worked at the UBC Faculty of Medicine for almost four years now. The Indigenous students that were accepted into the MD Program when I first started working with the Faculty are graduating this year, which is an amazing full-circle moment.
Tell us about your role in the Faculty of Medicine:
I help inspire Indigenous students to apply to the MD program through outreach events in Indigenous communities, at career fairs in high schools and post-secondary schools, and host workshops around the province. I also have the privilege of supporting the Indigenous medical students through the program and seeing them through graduation as they become doctors.
What’s your favourite thing about your work?
I have two favourite things about my work. The first is when I get to tell Indigenous applicants that they were accepted into the program and are going to become doctors! And the second is seeing them come to the end of their undergraduate medical school journey and graduate from the program. These students constantly inspire me with the incredible things they are doing in, and for Indigenous communities and health.
What do you do to invest in your mental and/or physical health?
I love to do creative activities. Whether that’s beading earrings, (slowly) making my first pair of moccasins or my newest hobby, which is embroidering. I enjoy creating things with my own hands and learning new crafts. I find these activities help me unwind and stay grounded.
What trait do you most admire in others?
I admire people who are able to persevere in the face of adversity and barriers. I am grateful to work with a strong network of Indigenous physicians and advocates across the country who have persevered in the pursuit of equity and justice for the next generation of Indigenous medical students and physicians.
Share an accomplishment that you are proud of from the past year:
I am proud of the Indigenous Medical Education Gathering, an annual event that bought together close to 70 Indigenous medical students, residents and physicians from around the province for a weekend of cultural activities and support, mentorship and professional development. Sitting in circle with this group was incredibly powerful, and I was proud to have had a role in making the event come together. I’m already looking forward to the next gathering in eleven months!
Learn more about the Indigenous MD Admissions Pathway on the MD Undergraduate Program website.
Published: April 2023