University of Ottawa to host Indigenous Mini-Med school for youth and highschool students

OTTAWA—The Mini-Med School for winter 2017 session, “Come Walk in our Moccasins”, geared towards high school students and youth, is scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2017.

“Come and Walk in our Moccasins” was initiated in 2010 as a recruiting strategy to encourage First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people to apply to the University Of Ottawa Faculty Of Medicine. Since its inception, over 200 Indigenous have been welcomed and encouraged to pursue their aspirations of becoming a doctor.

All Indigenous youth, post-secondary, and mature students are invited to take part in a day in medical school that is organized and presented by current Indigenous and non-Indigenous medical students, many of whom are members of the Aboriginal Health Interest Group.

Participants of this session will explore one aspect of human health using the Case Based Learning method and hands-on activities similar to those completed by the current medical students. Participants will learn how doctors perform a medical and physical exam, put on a cast, suture and do stitches.

Testimonials from current Indigenous medical students including their personal journeys and experiences will be part of the session, as well as a presentation by Indigenous Program Director, Dr. Darlene Kitty.

This session offers important mentorship opportunities to aspiring Indigenous students. The Indigenous Program assists participants who have made the decision to contact the Admissions office and apply to dedicated admissions program for candidates of Indigenous ancestry or the Anglophone/Francophone streams.

The Mini-Med school includes participation by Algonquin Elder Albert Dumont and explores the importance of integrating Indigenous culture into health care.

Everyone will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the day.

The Mini-Med School for winter 2017 will take place on Saturday, February 11, 2017, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The deadline to register is Friday, February 3, 2017.

For more information and to register, please contact:  Lisa Abel, Indigenous Program Coordinator at 613-562-5800 ext. 8687 or mdindig@uottawa.ca.

The Mini-Med will be held at University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Guindon Building, 451 Smyth Rd., Ottawa. There is no registration fee to attend this one-day mini-medical school.  A continental breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided. Participants are responsible for their own travel and/or accommodations.