Reaching over 1400 people in the community and university, this newsletter promotes patient and community involvement in health professional education at UBC.
UBC Health Mentors Program Tops 1000 Students!
On October 3rd, 146 students and 37 mentors gathered at Creekside Community Centre for the start of the 2016-17 Interprofessional Health Mentors program. It is the 6th cohort of mentors and students to take part in the program since it began in 2011 - bringing the total number of students reached by the program to over 1000!
The students will spend the next 16 months working in self-directed learning communities, learning with and from students from different health professional programs and their Health Mentor who is an expert in managing chronic disease or disability.
The program has over 150 mentors with expertise in spinal cord injury, mental health, HIV, cerebral palsy, brain injury, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and more. Many mentors have expertise in more than one condition.
Patients in Education (PIE) Update
Patients in Education (formerly the 'Vancouver Group') has resumed regular meetings after a summer break.
The group is working on a proposal to the UBC Teaching & Learning Enhancement Fund for a pilot project to support student-initiated experiential learning with patients. The project will build on the success of the Health Mentors program and Community Voices workshop series which are highly rated but have limited spaces for students.
PIE is also planning a forum for potential collaborators in the New Year. Stay tuned!
Mentor Spotlight: Fran Banks
Fran Banks is a patient educator extraordinaire! She has been a UBC Health Mentor since 2013 and recently began volunteering with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) where she presents at orientation sessions for new staff.
"I am thoroughly enjoying my position as a VCH "Patient Educator". It is an excellent opportunity and like the Mentoring program there is so much we, as volunteers, can learn. I truly believe we never get old as long as we're willing to listen, share and learn." says Fran.
Fran also helps to improve BC's health care system by volunteering with the Patient Voices Network where she is featured in this month's 'Meet our Volunteers' blog. Read more...
27th Annual Lupus Wellness & Education Symposium
Date: Saturday October 29, 2016 Time: 9am-4pm Where: St. Paul’s Hospital Lecture Theatre Register:online
The annual education event brings together international lupus experts to speak about the effects of and the latest treatments for lupus. This is a highly anticipated and well-attended event for members of the lupus community and many others whose lives are touched by lupus.
Health professionals and health care students can attend at no cost.
The day includes all break refreshments and lunch. Pre-registration is required. Read more...