Health Mentors Program: Kicks off its 13th year!

On September 25th, the 13th cohort of the Health Mentors program was launched with an orientation at the Croatian Cultural Centre. Forty-four Health Mentors and 170 students are enrolled this year including 3 groups of occupational therapy and medical students located at the University of Northern BC in Prince George. These groups have mentors with experience accessing care outside of major urban centers and will meet virtually.

We extend a special welcome to 5 new mentors and 3 who are returning after several years away from the program. Health Mentors are patients who are key informants and expert observers of the health care system. Over the next 9 months, they will share their perspectives on health care and chronic disease management with interprofessional groups of students who are training to become the next generation of health care providers.

Over 2,000 students and 200 mentors have taken part in the program since it began in 2011. The program is coordinated by Patient & Community Partnership for Education with funding from UBC Health.