The challenges of living with HIV are shared through personal stories and reflections of people living with HIV. Support and advocacy available in Vancouver-based community organizations serving persons living with HIV are also presented.

Partner: Persons Living with HIV

(This workshop was developed in partnership with Positive Living BC.)

The role of empathy and compassion in recovery from serious mental illness and the importance of practicing empathetic guidelines when working with people living with a mental illness are presented.

Partner: Pathways Serious Mental Illness Society

Some disabilities are invisible. In this workshop students from different health programs will learn about three diseases that are poorly understood – Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Fibromyalgia (FM), and Lyme disease. People affected by these conditions often experience financial hardship, loss of identity, and have difficulty being believed by medical professionals and society. You will hear how these conditions and the difficulties in accessing effective and timely treatments can impact the daily living and quality of life of people living with or caring for a loved one with one or more of these complex chronic conditions. Approaches and resources that best support people living with ME/FM/Lyme disease in their journey will be presented.

Partners: ME Victoria Association, MEFM Society of BC, MEFM Action Network, BC Lyme Society.

(Exact date TBA)

In this workshop students will have the opportunity to hear from a residential school survivor, as well as in intergenerational survivor; break down and discuss professional and personal stereotypes; learn about the historical underpinnings of the Indian Residential School system; and recognize the impacts of this system in Canada. There will also be the opportunity to reflect and dialogue on the role of health care providers in reconciliation.

Partner: Indian Residential School Survivor Society

(Exact date TBA)

This interprofessional workshop will look at the benefits available for people living with disabilities in BC, and share how healthcare practitioners can better assist clients. Through presenting patient stories and client interactions, it will cover common barriers for people living with disabilities and how we can make a difference with systemic advocacy.

Partners: Disability Alliance BC

(Exact date TBA)

This workshop explores the unique healthcare challenges faced by individuals living in rural and remote communities, including limited access to healthcare services, provider shortages, and geographic barriers.

(Exact date TBA)

People who use substances and their families face stigma and discrimination across the system of care, impacting their ability to access life-saving harm reduction services, seek treatment, and pursue recovery. This workshop connects interprofessional UBC students and people with lived experiences of substance use to better understand how health care providers can address stigma in their own practices.

Partner: BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU)

(Exact date TBA)

Students are introduced to the successes and challenges of being a family caregiver for a loved one with a chronic health condition.

Partners: UBC Health Mentors Program

The need for gender affirming care, community resources and strategies to provide positive healthcare experiences for transgender and gender-diverse individuals are shared.

Partners: UBC Health Mentors and Trans Care BC