After being invited to attend the NB Medical Society Ambassador Program, a passion was ignited within a group of high school students from Miramichi. Craving more experiences like this, the students quickly formed an extracurricular club with the goal of gaining valuable information in pursuit of their shared career goal—becoming future physicians.
The Future Physicians Miramichi Club is an initiative connecting high schools in and around the Miramichi area with a similar career goal. The target audience is Grade 11 and 12 students interested in pursuing careers in medicine. This program offers students the chance to participate in hospital tours, listen to presentations from medical professionals about their experiences and ask questions about university, medical school, and what life is like as a doctor in NB.
Following the NB Medical Society event, students expressed interest in meeting with doctors and medical school students in Miramichi to gain firsthand insights. With the help of Harley Siddall of the Greater Miramichi Service Commission, a “Living Library Event” was organized. Students had the opportunity to sit down and talk with doctors and medical school students over light refreshments.
“It was like hearing actual advice from people who had the same experience we will, rather than just reading about it on the internet. We got to hear firsthand what the career is really like,” one student shared.
“This event has helped me gain insight into the medical field,” another student said.
“I learned about various fields of medicine, as well as the steps required to get into medical school,” added another.
Teacher supervisor Adam Hayward expressed appreciation for the event, stating, “We were very grateful to the 11 doctors and medical school students who gave some of their valuable time on a weekend to spend a few hours with these students—answering questions, offering career and academic advice, and mentoring these youth.”
Following the Living Library, the Miramichi Future Physicians Club set a goal of holding monthly events. In January, each student received First Aid training. “I feel comfortable handling emergencies after this,” remarked one student.
Over March Break, Grade 12 students who are part of the club will have the opportunity to travel to Saint John for an interactive tour of the Dalhousie Medical School – Saint John Campus. This experience will allow students to see what medical school is like and gain insight into student life there.
This club is entirely student-led. Currently, they are busy applying for grants to help fund future opportunities, planning events for April, May, and June, and creating a sustainability plan to ensure that The Miramichi Future Physicians remains an ongoing and growing extracurricular opportunity. Ultimately, the hope is this program will inspire many of these youth to return home to Miramichi after completing medical school.
Alaa Abdulhafzz, Grade 12 student, James M. Hill High School
