UNBC has been good to Joanna Paterson.
Three years into her masters studies in community health sciences, Paterson's experiences working with a tight-knit Prince George medical community have the 26-year-old from Toronto focused on a new career ambition. She wants to go to medical school at UNBC and put down roots in the north as a family doctor.
Paterson, this year's Northern Medical Society's Rising Star, has another reason to stay put. She'd like to stay close to her future husband, a political science masters student she met at UNBC.
"I am applying to the Northern Medical Program, so I'd like to be a family doctor," said Paterson. "My fianc [Jeff Kormos] is from Whitehorse, and so we'll probably look for [permanent positions] between Prince George and Whitehorse. There are lots of opportunities."
Going to a smaller university like UNBC, where class sizes tend to be smaller, Paterson says she's had more practical work experience in her masters studies than if she'd stayed in Toronto, perks she's learned the NMP also offers its student doctors.
"UNBC has been life-changing for me, the opportunities I've had here, I don't think I would have had in a bigger metropolitan centre," Paterson said. "I've been shocked at the opportunities for grad students to be involved in research. I've been part of lots of community involvement and there's always lots of projects that need support. I've been exposed to lots of content areas and lots of really great researchers and mentors, so its been a fantastic experience.
"I've heard from students in the [NMP] program that you get more one-on-one time with instructors and more hands-on experiences you would be standing in line at a bigger centre."
One of her current study topics focuses on the NMP and its retention of graduates. She's tracked 14 graduates who left UNBC and finished their residency programs and are now practicing medicine in northern B.C. Through interviews with those doctors, she's documenting what they liked about the program and what their reasoning was for setting up practices in the Northern Health region or other under-served regions in B.C.
"Lots of people forget that when they graduate from the NMP they aren't ready to start a practice, there's still at least two more years of additional training," said Paterson, who is vying for one of 32 spots in the NMP.
Paterson received her award and a $5,000 cheque provided by the Northern Medical Program Trust at the Bob Ewert Memorial dinner and lecture Saturday at the Civic Centre.
Selected by the Northern Medical Society, in consultation with UNBC's medical, psychology, nursing and health services departments, Paterson is the society's second Rising Star award winner. The award recognizes students who show leadership and excellence in conceiving of improved health services and exemplary character as a future northern health care provider.
The inaugural winner in 2012 was NMP student Dan Le.
"I sort of assumed another NMP student would win," said Paterson.
"It just feels really good to think that people value my research and my contributions and are as excited about my future as I am. I feel very well supported and I'm just very grateful for the award."
