Welcome Bilbies!

What they wrote on the chalkboard my first day in 1977:

Above all do no harm 
Cure some, comfort all
Never say never

My additional advice is to avoid unnecessary stress. Also, talk to every patient as someone who will later have lunch with your mother

Enjoy the journey!

Rick Z, 1980 

Congratulations! Did you know that it is the Easter Bilby in Australia instead of the Easter Bunny?? True fact! Have a wonderful time learning during these difficult times. Never lose your wonder or compassion!
-Marina S, 1978

Greetings to the Bilbies from a Poodle!  If things get hard, remember that everyone here truly wants you to succeed.  And don't put aside the things you love for the sake of medical school - those are the things that will make you a great doctor.  I look forward to having you all as my colleagues!  
- Elisabeth (Betsy) W, 1988

Welcome to the menagerie Bilbies! We're excited you're here. 
- James H, 2006

Welcome to the (animal) family! Over twenty years later I look back fondly as my time as a Bonobo and hope you all will have fond memories as well of this exciting time. 

- Morgan P, 2000

Welcome to the Animal Family!

No matter what, know that if you're allowed to progress to the next course, the next year, the next rotation--you are good enough and you will succeed. And if you hit some bumps, you have many people available to provide the support you need and you should never feel alone. Good luck and all the best.
- Krystyna B, 2014

Congratulations for your well-earned honour of being admitted to the U. of Calgary School of Medicine.  Medicine is truly a wonderful profession, which I had the pleasure of enjoying for 40+ years.  It is a challenge and a joy to develop the competence to understand the biological basis of a patient's symptoms and to know the best approach to treatment.

Robert B, 1973

Congratulations. This is the start. Get good before you get fast!

Vance M, 1979

Congratulations, enjoy the ride, and don't forget to have some fun along the way!
- Andrew B, 2021

Congratulations class of 2024! The next 3 years of your life will be extraordinary and more memorable than you can imagine. You will not only learn world-class medicine, but will also forge everlasting bonds. Enjoy the journey!!
- Alp S, 2002

Congratulations and welcome to the profession!

- Arjun G, 2015

Welcome to the menagerie, Bilbies! I'm from the Goat Class of 2018 :) One thing I would recommend is to intentionally get to know each of your classmates as best you can- there are some pretty cool people in your class! They are a phenomenal resource during school and also in practice! If you're doing lectures in person, one thing I did was that I made sure to sit with a new person in class each day until I met everyone that I could! Wishing you all the best as you enter this exciting journey! 

- Samantha C, 2018
 

Congratulations and welcome!  I'll always look back on my time in the MD program as some of the best years of my life, and maintain friendships with some of the amazing people I met there to this day.  You're entering the profession at a time with some obvious challenges, and I wish you success in applying your skills and talents in overcoming them.  Most of all, know that there are many people rooting for you, and lots of support available whenever you may need it.

- Todd L, 2009

Welcome, Bilbies! I wish you all much success.
- Rich H, 2003

Welcome to the U of C Medicine Menagerie! So far, all the Bilbies that I have had the opportunity to meet have been AWESOME! It's been much fun to teach you guys!
- Melanie M, 1998 ("Bandi(coot)-Skink")

What an accomplishment!  You have been accepted and are now embarking on your long career in medicine.  I fondly recall my time in U of C med school.  I was part of the class of '92.  Met my spouse there and enjoy my career in family medicine.  Enjoy every aspect of your learning.  Be a 'sponge' and take it all in.  Enjoy the interactions with your classmates and the fun of putting together the med show.  Ah, those were the days.......

- Judith T, 1992

Welcome to an exclusive group, Bilbies!
- Sumi R, 2002

Yahooooo! Ya got in!!!!!

You're all going to have quite a ride. Super fun, hard work but fulfilling, & most of all great lifelong friends.

Open your minds & hearts & hang on.

Congratulations!



Paul M, 1990

Welcome Bilbies, many congratulations!

If you find yourselves in a Vancouver ED, please say hello.

 
- Alaina A, 2010

Greetings Bilbies; greater and lesser, from this old Peccary! Welcome to the world of medicine in Canada. May your large ears have you listening, listening deeply to patients, to colleagues and all those who work to change and improve our health care system.  May your adaptive skills (able to live in hot, dry climates, in the ground...) allow you to seek challenge and reward in contributing and leading change in this time of much turbulence.  May you be reflective, and compassionate with yourself and others as you navigate and contribute to Truth and Reconciliation.  Hang together, sleep when you can.  Thank you for taking on this profession. 

- Theresa vd G, 1994

Welcome into medicine. 31 years later- I can remember our first few months, class of 89, Flamingos, like it was yesterday. I wish COVID wasn't around, to interfere with all the fun times. Wishing you all the best. Enjoy it all. Good luck, and stay safe and healthy. 
- Kerryn R, 1989

At the end of a career that has taken me from flight medicine to the mid Atlantic, and rural Canada, it's good to see that the profession of medicine continues to attract interest. Welcome, and enjoy the ride :)
- Jon S, 1981