Health Mentors Program Kicks Off Cohort 16 Across BC

The UBC Health Mentors Program has officially welcomed Cohort 16, bringing together 223 students from health and human services disciplines and 57 Health Mentors across Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, and Prince George for the 2026–2027 academic year.

On October 7, 181 students and 45 Health Mentors gathered at Vancouver’s Italian Cultural Centre to kick off the new cohort. Dr. Angela Towle welcomed participants and introduced the program’s guiding principles of partnership, reflection, and learning from lived experience. Returning Health Mentor John Dub encouraged students to embrace the experience, sharing, “Be open, willing to share and learn… Have fun!” The evening brought students together with their Health Mentors and fellow group members for the first time, with conversations and shared stories marking the beginning of their nine-month learning journey.

Orientations also took place in Kelowna, Prince George, and Victoria, with Community Engagement Coordinator Mandy Young visiting each site to welcome participants and support the start of the program. At UBC Okanagan, Nursing, Social Work, and Health and Exercise Sciences joined Medicine in the program, while Prince George welcomed students from Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Medicine. In Victoria, students and Health Mentors began the year with their first group conversations.

Thank you to our Health Mentors, students, faculty supporters, and community partners for making the start of Cohort 16 possible!

Interested in becoming a Health Mentor? Visit our Health Mentors Program page to learn more about the program and future opportunities to get involved.