Internal Medicine – Indigenous Stream

We are very excited to be offering an Indigenous Stream within the University of British Columbia Internal Medicine Residency Program. The goals of this stream are to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 23 and 24 by enhancing accessibility and inclusion for Indigenous learners, by striving to provide culturally safe and comprehensive Internal Medicine care to all of BC’s Indigenous populations, as well as by striving to provide a culturally safe learning environment for all trainees. While we will welcome both Indigenous and non-Indigenous applicants to this stream, the UBC Internal Medicine Program views Indigeneity of an applicant as a particular strength, and therefore we will prioritize Indigenous applicants for this stream.

This stream is identified as a separate program for application through CaRMS, with unique application requirements such as a personal statement including a description of commitment to Indigenous health. Applicants will be eligible to apply to any single UBC Internal Medicine program or all of them. Each applicant’s file will be reviewed by at least one Indigenous resident or faculty. Interviews will be conducted by a panel including an Elder, an Indigenous resident, and an Indigenous faculty, and will include a welcome session and debrief led by an Elder. We look forward to meeting those interested in this program!

In addition to the standard UBC Internal Medicine curriculum, the residents in this stream will be offered enhanced Indigenous health opportunities, in the following two areas:

• Educational Opportunities and Supports
• Indigenous Health Experiences

• Have funding and protected time to attend Indigenous-focused medical conferences (Indigenous residents only);
• Benefit from Elder mentorship through the PGME Office;
• Have assigned physician-mentors who work with Indigenous communities and/or are Indigenous themselves;
• Provide mentorship to Indigenous medical students at UBC (Indigenous residents only);
• Receive support in applying and attaining funding for the UBC Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Public Health

• Participate in longitudinal and rotational internal medicine (IM) clinical experiences serving Indigenous populations in urban and rural communities (including home communities for Indigenous applicants if desired);
• Participate in research opportunities with IM physicians working with Indigenous communities in true community-based research partnerships;
• Join UBC Family Practice Indigenous stream academic days related to Indigenous health;
• Receive funding to complete the First Nations Information Governance Centre’s Principles of OCAP training