Increased Number of Med Students for UNBC

By 250 News

There are 6 more students involved in the Northern Medical Program at UNBC this year.  The number of seats has been increased to bring the annual intake number at UNBC to 32.

The increase is part of the Province’s funding for 256 first year spaces in UBC’s faculty of medicine. Medical students start their education at UBC for their first semester. In January, 32 students move to the northern medical program based at UNBC, and 32 go to the Island medical program based at UVic.

For the students at UNBC there will be something new.  By the time they reach their third year clinical studies, there will be placements not only at PGRH but at other facilities throughout the north.  Dr. Dave Snadden, Associate Vice President  Medicine, UNBC  says while the instruction available at PGRH has been superb, adding another 8 students to the mix may “dilute the learning experience for everyone.” Snadden says they are working on having placements in Ft. St. John, Dawson Creek, and other northern regions “This would help further fulfill our mandate to make the program for all of the north.”

Snadden says there is also a new program that will be started in June of 2008.  The Family Medicine Residency program will start in Ft. St. John.  This is the same kind of program already underway in Prince George at the Dr. Jack McKenzie Family Practice Centre.

Some other health programs have also had increases to the number of students.

Nursing programs have been allocated 326 new spaces.  There will be 89 more seats for radiography technicians and medical laboratory technologists. Eight spaces each are being added to physiotherapy and occupational therapy programs at UBC. As well, 213 new seats are being added for residential care attendants and home support workers.

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