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Article
Indigenous Student Matriculation into Medical School: Policy and Progress
The International Indigenous Policy Journal
  • Kathy Sadler, Western University
  • Marjorie Johnson, Western University
  • Candace Brunette, Western University
  • Lorne Gula, Western University
  • Mary Ann Kennard, Western University
  • David Charland, Western University
  • Gary Tithecott, Western University
  • Gerry Cooper, Western University
  • Michael Rieder, Western University
  • Chris Watling, Western University
  • Carol P Herbert, Western University
  • Bertha Garcia, Western University
  • Robert R Hammond, Western University
Abstract

Access to health care remains suboptimal for Indigenous people in Canada. One contributing factor is the longstanding undersupply of Indigenous physicians. Despite awareness of this issue, underrepresentation in medical schools continues. In 2002, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (SSMD) policies were modified to enhance access for Indigenous students. This article describes our school’s continuing journey of policy and process revision, formative collaborations, early learner outcomes, and lessons learned towards this goal. In the first 10 years, SSMD matriculated 15 additional Indigenous students via this new stream. All candidates were successful in the undergraduate medical curriculum, licensing examinations, and residency match. The majority were attracted to primary care specialties, training programs affiliated with SSMD, and practices in southern Ontario. While the process and curriculum have revealed their potential, its capacity is not being maximized.

Acknowledgments
This manuscript is submitted in memory of the late Dr. Francis Chan and the late Dr. Dana Winterburn who provided local and national leadership on this issue. The authors also wish to thank Debbie Dolson, Pam Bere, Matt Wannan, Matt Longstaffe, Scott Rumas, as well as past and present members of the Indigenous Subcommittee. We will be known forever by the tracks we leave - Dakota proverb
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0
Citation Information
Kathy Sadler, Marjorie Johnson, Candace Brunette, Lorne Gula, et al.. "Indigenous Student Matriculation into Medical School: Policy and Progress"
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/michael-rieder/8/