medical school

I was accepted into UBC Medical School in 1951 with the proviso that I take a couple English courses in summer school. The admissions committee was satisfied with my science-oriented premed studies, but thought that with my Hungarian high school background I lacked appreciation of English literature. The first summer session course was focused on grammar, the second on literature, and in the literature course I was introduced to John Keats (1795–1821), the celebrated romantic poet of the early 1800s.

The UBC Medicine Spring Gala is a yearly celebration of the visual and performing arts where UBC medical students come together to showcase their talents and passions from outside the medical realm. It is a beloved event that brings together the entire medical community and promotes connection, healing, and shared appreciation of creative expression.


The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health threat that has challenged medical schools across the world to rapidly transition from conventional classroom training to virtual learning environments. As proposed by Dr Wong in his article (BCMJ 2020;62:170-171), the strategies posed to secure medical training during this pandemic should be principle-based, forward-looking, and compassionate.[1]

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Each year, as incoming first-year UBC medical students excitedly open an email with information that will prepare them for medical school, they are greeted with an orientation manual prepared by the class ahead of them, affectionately known as the Purple Book. In the chapter about medical equipment, a direct ophthalmoscope is included at the bottom of the list of instruments they will need (it is listed as an optional purchase).

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There are 60 school districts in BC, with 1578 public and 364 independent (some private) schools, filled with about 555 000 students. I set out to learn which of these schools are named after a physician and, with a great deal of help from librarians at the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons, I tracked down eight schools in BC named after a medical doctor to honor their memory and inspire students and staff. We may have missed some schools because, as in the case of Carson Graham Secondary School in North Vancouver, the Dr appellation may not be included in the name.

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