UBC Health Mentors Program

UBC Health Mentors Program

You can’t always stop the rain, but wouldn’t it be nice if there was an umbrella for everyone?

Vancouver, BC   May 4, 2015 As a survivor of an acquired brain injury, I have enjoyed being a member of the UBC Interprofessional Health Mentors Program over the past school year. The Program invites health mentors (usually survivors or caregivers) to team up with four students chosen from ten different health professional programs (audiology, dentistry, dietetics, genetic counseling, kinesiology, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, social work and speech-language pathology). On Wednesday, April 22nd 2015 the group held its annual Health Mentors Program Symposium in the Life Sciences Centre on the UBC Campus.  

At the Symposium, each group summarizes what they have learned from each other and shares with other UBC students, faculty and the community. The event includes a poster-board display from each group and the opportunity for guests to talk with students and mentors about their experiences in the Program. It’s an experience of learning from each other, and I have been delighted to take part.

Our twitter-published theme was “You can’t always stop the rain, but wouldn’t it be nice if there was an umbrella for everyone?”. Our board displayed a hospital as a venue where the patient received assistance from many facets of the medical community. We then displayed the many issues that one may struggle with once home, each of these falling upon an umbrella which was supported by the many professionals available to help us once home.

The UBC Interprofessional Health Mentors Program has been an excellent experience… I hope that more survivors and caregivers in the Lower Mainland will consider taking part next year. Click UBC Interprofessional Health Mentors Program to learn more.

Wendy Station, Founder and President
Encephalitis Global, Inc.

www.encephalitis.ca
encephalitisglobal@shaw.ca