Each spring, the Healthcare Travelling Roadshow focuses on inspiring rural B.C. students to consider careers in health care. Co-ordinated through the Northern Medical Program, in conjunction with the Southern Medical Program, it brings together health professional students from around B.C. to showcase their fields at high schools.
This year, the roadshow visited three different regions: April 29 – May 5, Cassiar-Ft. Nelson (Smithers, Dease Lake, Watson Lake, Ft. Nelson); May 6 – 12, Columbia-Shuswap (Sicamous, Revelstoke, Nakusp); and May 13 – 19, Coastal region (New Aiyansh, Gingolx, Lak Kw’alaams, Metlakatla, Terrace, Kitimat).
Professions represented included medicine, nursing, physical therapy, midwifery, pharmacy, dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, health care assistants, and cardiology technology.
Physiotherapy student Shayne Casey-Shaw participated in the Coastal roadshow. “I got involved in the program in hopes to inspire young students in rural communities to pursue their own unique passions and skillsets, and make a career out of it; being from a small town myself, I lacked that kind of inspiration in secondary school, but would have greatly valued a program like this. To share my journey into physical therapy with other young students was very special! I was also able to connect deeply with my fellow peers and presenters, learning more about interdisciplinary health professions. It was an honour to be part of the program, and I highly recommend the opportunity to other MPT students!
Nick Macdonald, a fellow physiotherapy student, was part of the Columbia-Shuswap roadshow. “My interest in participating in this experience was twofold. I wanted to explore novel rural communities that I may be interested in eventually working and living in. I also enjoy acting in the capacity of an educator passionate about their field. As an educator, I was able to provide high school students with information about the healthcare opportunities available to them while highlighting physical therapy as a career. Students participating in the roadshow were educated about various rehabilitation approaches to common orthopaedic conditions. Students had particular interest in discussing personal activity related injuries they experienced and learning best practices for their treatment. The highlight of my trip was visiting Nakusp. We were pleasantly surprised how welcoming the community and school were. It was inspiring to hear about the many student achievements at the high school we visited. For example, in a school of 100, a group of young entrepreneurs in the business club had successfully engineered and marketed flashers for fishing with the bulk of funds generated being directed to the schools outdoor recreation program. Our visit was topped off with a relaxing visit to Halcyon Hot Springs, an absolute must if you are passing through the area!”