Local NMP grad takes paediatrics on the road

Feb 24, 2021 | 2:34 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A Northern Medical Program graduate has come home to mold a new paediatrics program into a truly Northern program.

The UBC Pediatric Residency Program – Community Impact stream was launched in 2019 and Dr. Gurkirat Kaur Kandola is one of the first residents to enter the program, which provides training in Prince George at the University Hospital of Northern B.C., in addition to ongoing training at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. It also offers a variety of opportunities to learn about the practice of pediatric medicine in northern B.C. and to learn about the challenges faced by rural pediatric care providers.

“I get more of that up here. So I get to work more in the outpatient settings with paediatricians. I get to go to smaller communities. For example, I’ve been to Takla and Yekochee and have been able to do some work there,” explains Dr. Kandola. “In addition to that, as a resident, teaching is something that I’m passionate about and this stream allows me to develop those skills earlier on and be active with teaching and medical students and other students in the program as well.”

Born and raised in Prince George, Dr. Kandola says she has “tremendous respect and admiration for my community.”

“They say it takes a village to raise a child and I really have understood what that means. After my father passed away, this community rallied behind my family and wholly supported us. I have had the opportunity to give back to my community in different ways throughout these years, but to be able to give back in this capacity as a health care provider is a special honour.”

All we can say is Welcome Home, Dr. Kandola.