Q & A with Dr. Nancy Kent

Q. Describe your proudest moment as a teacher, who was the student(s), and why was it such a special moment.
My proudest moments did not occur when I taught. My proudest moments came from being a Program Director who was able to facilitate a trainee fulfilling their dream of higher academic achievement in the context of their clinical training program. Residents like Sheona Mitchell, Assistant Professor in the UBC Northern Medical Program. Sheona fulfilled her dream of embarking on a career inclusive of Public Health research by working towards a Masters of Public Health at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health while undertaking her residency research project in Uganda investigating self-collection of HPV swabs to screen for cervical cancer amongst the poorest women of Kampala. By planning ahead together from early in her residency, she was able to conduct her research in the field. Or Genevieve Eastabrook, Assistant Professor and Associate Scientist in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Western Ontario. Genevieve began her bench research into the pathophysiology of preeclampsia as a junior resident. This morphed into a Masters and then a PhD while completing both her Obstetrics and Gynaecology Residency and her Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship at UBC. What made these accomplishments special was that by simply allowing them to believe in themselves and their academic dreams, we worked together to find ways to make research a focus of their training.

Q. Why do you love to teach?
I love to teach because of the people I teach. The energy and passion that our students and clinical trainees bring to their learning inspires and invigorates me. The future of our specialty is strong due to our newest colleagues.

Q. Was there someone inspirational to you, and whom you emulate as a teacher/mentor?
The person who made me believe in myself was Rob Liston. He brought out the best in people by making us believe in our strengths and our talents even when we could not see what we had to contribute. He is my role model of a mentor who cares for and is inspired by the most junior learner amongst us. He sees not their flaws but their potential, not their fears but their strengths. Trainees blossom in a welcoming learning environment. That is what inspires me.

Q. Are there words of wisdom you would like to say to those aspiring to be teachers?
Believe in your learners and support them in their chosen paths. Nurture and inspire them. Know who they are and what ignites their passion. Believe in them and never doubt their ability to succeed and they will always live up to your expectations. We lead by example. Show you care.

Q. How would your students describe you as a teacher?
An advocate for learning. Nurturing and caring. Fair