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Local doctor picked to address medical grads |
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Written by BERNICE TRICKCitizen staff
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Friday, 16 May 2008 |
Dr. Nadine Caron
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Dr. Nadine Caron, a local academic physician who's a member of the UBC Faculty of Medicine, has been invited by the medical degree graduates at UBC, the Northern Medical Program and the Island Medical Program in Victoria to address them with "words of wisdom" during the unique ceremony that dates back to the Middle Ages.
"I perceive this as one of the greatest honours -- to be recognized and given this opportunity by the newest colleagues of the medical profession. It's a phenomenal honour," said Caron.
This event on Monday is "the graduation event" for these students because it's a traditional ceremony for medical students only, and stands apart from Wednesday's formal cap and gown ceremony for the hundreds of UBC graduating students, Caron said.
"There'll be lots of family and faculty there during this landmark day for UBC to graduate all three medical school sites," she said. "To witness those students walking across the stage and join our profession is going to be a very emotional proud event for everyone."
Although she's saving her "words of wisdom" for the day, in general, she'll share her learning experiences from the time she left school "and got into the trenches" along with her recommendations as they begin this new, exciting journey.
Caron, a 1997 UBC graduate, practices general surgery in Prince George and works with the NMP as well.
"I'm at the NMP because I saw this as such an opportunity to be part of such a wonderful program that was so well thought out by the community and the people in the North.
"This program has been so successful and one of the things that reflects that is here you have this medical graduating class for UBC -- the Vancouver site, the Victoria site and Northern site -- all celebrating their graduation on Monday, and yet you have a northern doctor coming (south) to address the students from Vancouver. I think it's a real tribute to the success of the NMP," she said.
Caron, an Ojibway native born and raised in Kamloops, was the first aboriginal woman to graduate from UBC medical school, but many have followed.
"One of the things I've been working on for years with UBC is to increase the number of aboriginal students," she said.
The academic hooding ceremony had its origin in the Middle Ages as a part of ecclesiastic, rather than civilian wear. Begging friars wore the hood, or tippet, over the shoulder, and often used it as a head covering during bad weather.
In the late 1800s, the hood, with identifiable regalia, became part of the academic dress in conjunction with the cap and gown. The hood is awarded by the faculty of a school upon completion of a course of study.
At UBC a member of the faculty is invited by medical graduates to give "words of wisdom" during the ceremony and the dean of medicine draws up the hood to cover the head.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 May 2008 )
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