Coming from a remote, rural background is often characterized as an academic disadvantage, but that’s certainly not how recent med school grad Lisa Flegel sees it.
“Coming from Bella Coola is definitely harder in some ways; it sets you apart,” she told CMNews during a recent visit home. “But I felt like school here was a safe place and because it was so small you really build those lasting relationships; students support each other and help each other. I don’t think you find that in bigger schools.”
Flegel said her unique experience as a student in the Bella Coola Valley left her with a strong sense of community that ultimately drew her to medicine.
“I attended kindergarten to grade 12 with same core group of students, and I still count many of them among my best friends,” she said. “Some of them are even attending my graduation this month!”
Flegel left home for the University of Victoria right after high school and said her first year was hard. Coming from Bella Coola, one of the biggest adjustments was city living, as well as the huge class sizes (250 students as opposed to four students in Chem 12!) compared to a rural high school.
“I found it difficult, I wanted to quit many times,” she said. “Luckily I had really supportive parents and some friends from home which got me through, and it did get easier!”
She continued to maintain her connection to her hometown, returning every summer of her undergrad year to work and save money for school.
“I worked for DFO, Bella Coola Valley Seafoods, Centennial Pool, and at the hospital,” she said. “It was a great advantage to return home and be able to find a job while living with my parents.”
Flegel completed her first degree in biology and statistics at UVic before moving to Prince George to live with her brother for a year while working for Canfor and completing the application process for medical school at the University of British Columbia.
Having heard great things about the University of Northern BC and the rural medicine program there, she decided to study here through UBC’s Northern Medical Program at UNBC.
“I really wanted a career where I could connect with people and make a difference, and medicine seemed to be a good fit,” she said. “It’s amazing the things you learn, even as a med student, about the impacts you can have on people’s lives.”
Flegel said med school was a lot of work and very long hours, but lots of fun too.
“It was great,” she said. “A lot of work but a lot of fun. What still stands out to me is that it was fun, so that’s a good thing!”
She completed her fourth-year electives in family medicine and dermatology before making her decision to continue her education and apply for a five-year residency in dermatology. She discovered the good news in March when she was awarded one of four coveted dermatology spots in the province: a residency with UBC’s Department of Dermatology and Skin Science in Vancouver.
“I just loved dermatology; I found it so fascinating,” Flegel shared. “It’s a specialty that allows you to work with people of all ages and to follow your patients really closely to develop that continuity of care, which was really important to me.
“A lot of my friends went into family medicine and I would have been very happy doing that as well. I have a huge amount of respect for family physicians, they are so inspiring, but I am really excited to be pursuing dermatology.”
Flegel made a quick trip home to pack up the remainder of her things before the big move to Vancouver, somewhere she’s pretty certain she won’t stay after completing her training.
“Coming from a small town I am still drawn to the rural lifestyle,” she said. “I’ll probably end up in a mid-size location but I would love to do some rural outreach one day.”
