Nadine Caron — the first aboriginal woman to graduate from UBC’s Faculty of
Medicine — volunteers her time to travel to remote communities throughout British
Columbia, where she encourages First Nations school kids to further their education.
Caron often brings with her a pathology lab to dissect a cow’s heart. Later,
the former basketball star might give the same kids a clinic on the finer points
of the game.
“I can reach kids in different ways than teachers can,” she says. “I try to
focus on smaller native communities where there is less opportunity to meet
people from outside and where people can benefit most from an infusion of fresh
ideas.”
“The reception I get is great. I meet so many kids with so much potential.”
Caron, who graduates from UBC at the top of her class, says her message to
kids isn’t just “study hard.” She knows from experience that there is much more
to school than that.
“I stress the importance of school, but more than that, I try to get across
how exciting it can be and how much fun I’ve had along the way.
“In high school, I loved basketball more than I liked studying, and that’s
okay. But I tell the kids to keep doors open for themselves, that education
is a stepping stone to what you want to do.”
Caron visits classrooms as part of the Scientists in the School program. She
also was involved in the B.C. Medical Association Committee on Aboriginal Health
and is a member of the Native Physicians Association of Canada.
While studying at Simon Fraser University, Caron was a player and captain
on the top-ranked women’s basketball team. She also played with the B.C. women’s
basketball team at five national championship tournaments, winning a gold medal
at the Canada Games in 1989.
Caron has received several scholarships and awards, including a $10,000 C.K.
Choi scholarship.
“That financial support was of vital importance in helping me along the way,”
says Caron, who is now doing her residency in general surgery.
