Doctors visit Saskatoon high schools to encourage medical careers

Henry Bi, from the anesthesiology department at the University of Saskatchewan, told Saskatoon high-schoolers that the average entry grade for medical school is 88 per cent.

“I feel so much more confident in my decision to follow this career path,” said Grade 12 student Aishah Salaudeen after a group of doctors headed to a Saskatoon high school Friday to spark interest in medical careers in Saskatchewan.

Grade 11 and 12 students from Walter Murray Collegiate learned about career options and planning and participated in medical simulators.

“I loved the ultrasound and getting the chance to meet them one on one and ask them questions; no emails, no online blogs, just meet the doctor and ask how their experience has been and ask personal questions,” said Salaudeen, who is considering a post-secondary degree in medicine.

“All of the reasons I debate doing it were all challenged today and were all answered in this session,” she added.

Henry Bi, from the anesthesiology department at the University of Saskatchewan, told the classroom the average entry grade for medical school is 88 per cent and having a career in medicine doesn’t need to take away from other aspects of life.

“It’s because we want well-rounded individuals who do other things in life,” Bi told the students. “Whether you volunteer, work part-time, or you do sports and have all of these other extra-curricular activities that keep you really busy but might affect your mark. Those things will actually make you a better physician when you are done.”

Bi said they are looking for people with good communication skills and a resilient attitude to help curb the province’s medical crisis.

“The goal is that upon your completion, you stay and work in Saskatchewan and serve the community. That is our primary and really only objective,” Bi said.