Last month, D’HoPE (Diversifying Health and Human Service Professions Education) concluded its second annual week-long Summer Program, which ran from 14–18 August on the UBC Point Grey campus.
The Summer Program is designed to help equity-denied high school and undergraduate students develop a sustained interest in a health profession education program of their choice.
Equity-denied groups include, but are not limited to, people who identify as first-generation university students, Disabled, Indigenous, Black and people of colour, economically disadvantaged, and 2SLGBTQIAP+.
Participants enjoyed interactive introductions to seven health professions (occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, dentistry, medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, and social work); learned about admissions processes, funding and scholarships; explored identity through theatre and creativity; and made lasting connections.
“[Participants in the summer program] realized that they can bring their lived experience to whatever profession they might pursue – they don’t have to down-play or hide it.”
— Dr. Laura Yvonne Bulk, D’HoPE Program Co-Lead
The Summer Program is coordinated by Drs. Laura Yvonne Bulk, Nassim Adhami, and Tal Jarus, with support from faculty and staff from across the participating departments. Feedback from each cohort has been resoundingly positive, and shows clear changes in participants’ self-belief, sense of opportunity, and confidence towards accessing the showcased health professions.
Dr. Bulk reflected on the week, remarking how participants learned about how each member of the healthcare team is “like a puzzle piece and we need them all”, and heard, very specifically: “We Need You!”
Dr. Bulk also highlighted the interconnectivity of accessibility and activism, and the importance of showing both aspects in the Summer Program. She noted that participants were inspired by the panelists’ activism and “pushing boundaries.” Before this week, some of the participants assumed that activism is not something you are supposed to talk about or share. “Now they are inspired by it.”
“Life becomes so much less confusing when there is someone to guide our passions”
— 2023 D’HoPE Summer Program participant
Mentorship: D’HoPE is all-year round
In addition to the Summer Program, D’HoPE offers year-round mentorship to young people from equity-denied groups, and is currently recruiting people from equity-denied groups and allies who are interested in mentoring.
To find out more about mentoring (and other D’HoPE programs) and to get involved, please contact diversifying.health.professions@ubc.ca
Image credit: UBC OSOT, except for arrow image.