Midwifery Messenger | UBC Faculty of Medicine: Family Practice | Q4 - 2025 | Dear Midwifery Faculty, Clinical Faculty, Students, Staff, and Partners, As 2025 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to recognize all that this community has accomplished. It has been a year of sustained effort amid ongoing complexity and change, and through it all, the Midwifery Program has continued to show care, professionalism, and commitment to learners, colleagues, and the communities we serve. This is work to be proud of. As we look ahead, we do so with both continuity and transition in mind. The process to confirm the program’s next director is well underway, and I remain committed, in my interim leadership role within Family Practice, to ensuring that midwifery’s priorities and perspectives continue to be clearly represented. Thank you for the care, thoughtfulness, and steady dedication you bring to this work. I look forward to continuing alongside you in the year ahead. With appreciation, I wish you a restorative close to the year and a strong start to the year ahead. Cecilia Jevitt
Interim Midwifery Program Director | Holiday Greetings from Dr. Sharmila Anandasabapathy The Faculty of Medicine’s new Dean, Dr. Anandasabapathy, shared a warm holiday video message that included recognition of midwives across the Faculty. The accompanying photo highlights also featured our own Dr. Saraswathi Vedam. A thoughtful acknowledgment as we close out the year. 🎥 Watch the video message | Holiday Office Closure ❄️ Please note that the Midwifery Program office will close at noon on December 24 and reopen on January 5. | Faculty of Medicine Revised Clinical Faculty Policy In May 2025, the Faculty of Medicine approved updates to the Clinical Faculty Appointment Policies. The revised policy will apply to new appointments and reappointments starting January 1, 2026, and to promotions starting July 1, 2026, with changes intended to clarify processes, expand promotion opportunities, and better recognize the contributions of clinical faculty. Learn more on the Faculty of Medicine website. 👉 Appointment Policy & Compensation | Reviving the IBPOC Mentorship Program 📣 The UBC Midwifery Program’s Racial Equity in Action Committee (REACT) is reviving a mentorship program for racialized midwifery students. We invite interested midwives and students to indicate their interest in this program, which will include a short survey for matching in early 2026. Mentorship is expected to be 3-5 hours per student, per academic term (max 2 students), with eligible MABC members able to apply for engagement funding. 👉 Learn more and submit your interest! | New Roles Midwifery Program - Welcome! Heidi Machnee – 350 IP | 2026 Intensives and OSCE Dates Dates for the 2026 Intensives and OSCEs are now available. Clinical instructors are encouraged to sign up via JaneApp and review the full schedule on the program calendar. | Program Website Updates Updates to the Midwifery Program websites' Clinical Placement Information section and the Policies and Guidelines include revised information on incident reporting, ELMS, and transportation policies, as well as clarified language in the Expectations of Student Participation and Preceptor Supervision policy. Please see the links below for details and your review. | We are pleased to celebrate Dr. Saraswathi Vedam on receiving the American College of Nurse-Midwives Lifetime Visionary Award. This well-deserved recognition honours her longstanding leadership and global impact on midwifery, maternal health, and respectful maternity care. If you haven’t yet, we invite you to read the feature post on the Department of Family Practice website. | Trauma-Informed Care for Midwives Jan 15, 22, 29, Feb 5 (Must attend all sessions) | 9-11 a.m. PT | Online Workshop
Follow-Up Coaching (Optional): Mar 5 (Thurs) 9-11 a.m. PT
Audience: Midwives
Overview: Join us for an immersive workshop designed to enhance your understanding and skills in trauma-informed care. This training will guide you through the complexities of trauma and its effects, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to effectively support trauma recovery. This workshop delves into identifying types and signs of trauma, understanding polyvagal theory, supporting a neuroception of safety, working with various survival physiologies, and addressing the challenges faced by midwives in trauma-informed care.
LEARN MORE & REGISTER | UBC Faculty of Medicine Multidisciplinary Research Program – Summer 2026 The UBC Faculty of Medicine is now accepting applications for the Multidisciplinary Research Program in Medicine (MRPM), a funded summer research program supporting interdisciplinary collaboration across UBC. The program offers paid research opportunities for undergraduate and MD students, with additional funding available for select projects and learners. 🗓 Deadline: February 4, 2026 (3:00 pm PDT)
🔗 Please visit the Multidisciplinary Research Program in Medicine webpage for updated instructions, application details, FAQs, and required forms. Questions can be directed to med.studentresearch@ubc.ca. | Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Over the past year, equity, diversity, and inclusion work has been shaped by extensive and thoughtful feedback from students, faculty, preceptors, and community partners. We are grateful for the time, care, and lived experience shared throughout this process, and remain committed to continuing this work with intention and accountability. In 2025, several updates were implemented, including revisions to supplemental application materials and interview questions to support greater equity in admissions, and the addition of STEAR grant-supported well-being resources to the program website. Work also continued to advance a diversity-focused mentorship framework, alongside efforts to revive the IBPOC Mentors Network in 2026, informed by meaningful community engagement. This work is ongoing. While not all initiatives are complete, the progress made this year reflects a sustained commitment to listening, collaboration, and building a more equitable and supportive program for learners, educators, and the communities we serve. | Share Your News and Photos! Have an award, publication, or nomination to celebrate? Or photos of students in clinical or precepting (appropriate for sharing)? Please send them to alicia.rebman@ubc.ca so we can celebrate and showcase your contributions across our channels. | | | | |
