15th Annual: Health Mentors Symposium!

The 15th Annual UBC Health Mentors Program Symposium marked a special milestone for the program, as we hosted four in-person symposia in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, and Prince George. Across all sites this year, 174 students and 48 mentors participated. This story highlights the Vancouver symposium, with reflections from our distributed sites to follow.

The Vancouver symposium took place on March 31, 2026, at the UBC Vancouver campus, bringing together 142 students from 11 health professional programs and 40 Health Mentors. As the culminating event of the year-long program, the symposium showcased the learning that emerges through relationships with mentors living with chronic conditions or caregiving experiences. Students shared their insights through creative, interactive displays, transforming the space into a vibrant hub of dialogue. From illustrated journeys to hands-on, metaphor-based boards, the displays brought complex care experiences to life—reminding us that care is never one-size-fits-all.

Across the groups, several powerful themes emerged. Many emphasized seeing the person beyond the diagnosis and recognizing that “life is complex—health is just one facet of a larger story.” Compassion, trust, and communication were woven throughout, with many highlighting how small, intentional actions—listening, being present, and acknowledging uncertainty—can have a lasting impact. At the heart of the symposium was a shared commitment: to practice healthcare that is not only clinically competent, but also deeply human—echoing one group’s message: #stayhuman.

Congratulations to Cohort 15!
We’re proud of all that you have accomplished and deeply grateful to our Health Mentors for the knowledge and experiences they so generously shared.