Inspiring the next generation of B.C.’s female physicians
Posted March 8, 2022 10:19 pm.
On International Women’s Day female physicians in B.C. are sharing their reasons for pursuing a career in medicine, and some of the barriers they’ve had to overcome along the way.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put intense strain on healthcare workers in B.C. and beyond. Still, Vancouver physicians Dr. Jessica Chan and Dr. Anna Wolak both say they’re both extremely proud to be in the medical field, making an observable difference in the lives of those around them.
Chan tells CityNews she was captivated by science from a young age, and driven by a desire to help others.
“You have to be prepared to work hard. This is not a job, I consider this an identity,” she said.
Wolak agrees THAT trying to help, heal, and support people drove her. But she was also drawn to the intellectual challenge.
“For me, it was also about solving the puzzles of medicine,” Wolak adds.
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Beyond pursuing a fulfilling and challenging career for themselves, both say they hope to set examples for the next generation of girls who are considering these science-based roles.
When I went to school, girls did home economics and boys did woodshop. Nowadays we make them aware anybody can go into science,” Wolak continued.
“We want our kids to see strong female physicians in a role that, when we were growing up, was more male dominant. Now people are talking about sons seeing male doctors and they’re like, ‘Boys can be doctors too?’ It’s really quite the flip.”
Chan says the lengthy education and training required can still pose some challenges for women.
“The biological clock, we all have to grapple with. By the time we finish training we are in our late 20s and early 30s. If you want to start a biological family that also overlaps with a very crucial time in your career,” she said.
Dr. Roger Wong a Clinical Professor, in the Department of Medicine at UBC says over the last 10 years the university has seen a rapid increase in the number of women in their medical program. Now, he says 58 per cent of students are women.
“We know that it is really important because it speaks to supporting women, and their choices, and really making important contributions to women’s health,” he said.
Doctor Wong says the faculty is working on making the school more accessible to BIPOC students as well.
