Dr. Lucas Streith is a PGY3 in the UBC General Surgery Residency program. Hailing from Ontario, he then moved to Edmonton at age 13 and received his bachelor’s degree and medical degree from the University of Calgary. Now, his medical journey has taken him to BC for his General Surgery training and is concurrently pursuing his Masters in Health Professions Education at UBC. He is also the recent recipient of the Junior Resident Surgical Leadership Award.
Choosing the UBC General Surgery Residency Program
For Lucas, he knew the UBC General Surgery Residency program was the right fit at the CaRMS social. He identified with the program’s goals and message, and he loved the family-like closeness of the residents and faculty that he met there. He stressed the importance of a supportive and positive environment during residency. Another important factor for him was the variety in the program, and the opportunity to practice in both academic and rural settings.
Favourite Rotations So Far
Lucas’ favourite rotations so far have been hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery and acute care surgery (ACS) at VGH and SPH. He enjoys the complex anatomy, diseases, and procedures in HPB, and the diversity and breadth of ACS cases. He also enjoyed spending time with patients during his pediatric surgery rotation.
Mentorship & Guidance
One of the strengths of the UBC General Surgery Residency program is the incredible support and guidance from the faculty. He adds that everyone is eager to guide and mentor any resident who shows interest in their specialty or research interests. Because of the variety of interests among the faculty, he says residents have no problem finding someone in their field of interest. He is also grateful for their residency program directors, Dr. Tracy Scott and Dr. Ahmer Karimuddin, for their continued guidance as he develops his career path and for their support as he navigates his residency while pursuing a Master’s degree.
His Advice for Pursuing a Master’s During Residency
- Go for it! – He was initially worried about how pursuing a Master’s degree might affect his residency, but he was overwhelmed by the support of the faculty and the program directors, who helped him navigate the process and plan for everything. He also says he was inspired by his fellow residents who are pursuing research paths during their residencies.
- Find mentors that support YOUR idea/project
- Find experts who you can consult for key concepts in your study – Your topic/project is probably more complicated and multi-disciplinary than you anticipated.
- Be passionate about it – Make sure it’s something you’re really interested in. This is a big commitment and undertaking that needs to be fueled by passion and dedication. Don’t force it.
What’s next for Lucas
In the future, Lucas hopes to focus on medical education and program design, particularly promoting research and leadership. He is also considering sub-specializing in HPB. In the meantime, he is currently working on his 2-year Master’s degree in health professions education. Afterwards, he plans on pursuing a PhD in education and finishing his General Surgery Residency.