Access to the medical sciences has not always been equitable, but a program launched at 肉肉传媒 in 2022 set out to change that.听
Embedded within the听Bachelor of Medical Sciences program, the Inclusive Pathways to Medical Professions (IPMP) initiative provides a cohort-based pathway and wraparound, community-informed supports for Indigenous and African Nova Scotian students, helping reduce longstanding barriers in a field where these communities remain underrepresented.听
This year, the program celebrates a defining milestone as its first students graduate with their bachelor's degrees. Their achievements reflect both years of academic dedication and the power of intentional, equity-focused design in higher education.听
- Every graduate has a story. This is one of them. Follow along as we share more each day throughout Spring Convocation.
As members of the inaugural IPMP cohort, these students have helped shape the future of the program simply by being part of it. Their stories offer a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when access, belonging, and opportunity are put into action.听
Get to know some of the students graduating from the first IPMP cohort:
Jamie Lee
鈥淓ver since I was a toddler, I wanted to become a doctor,鈥� says Jamie Lee 鈥� a dream that has taken her from Ghana to Halifax, and now to convocation as part of 肉肉传媒鈥檚 first graduating IPMP cohort.
After discovering 肉肉传媒鈥檚 Medical Sciences program, Jamie began her studies remotely from Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial barriers later forced her to pause, but her path shifted when she travelled to Halifax and connected with IPMP cohort advisor Vanessa Borden, whose support helped her return and complete her degree.听
An email in September 2023 marked a turning point: IPMP would cover her outstanding debt so she could continue. It was, she says, one of the most meaningful moments of her journey.
At Dal, Jamie developed a strong passion for genetics, eventually becoming a teaching assistant and pursuing a certificate in the field. She also gave back as a volunteer tutor with IPMP, driven by her belief in community and shared success.
Being part of the program鈥檚 first graduating class holds special meaning. 鈥淚 am really honoured and proud that I get to leave my mark at Dal,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 want other students to know that IPMP really is here to support them.鈥澨�
This fall, Jamie will continue her journey at the University of Ottawa in a master鈥檚 program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine. Medical school remains her ultimate goal.听 听
鈥淕rad school is not a detour,鈥� she says, 鈥渂ut only an extra step towards that dream.鈥� 鈥� Kate Rogers
Madison Spencer
Unlike others in the first graduating IPMP cohort, Madison Spencer didn鈥檛 join until her third year in the Medical Sciences program, but doing so made a big impact the rest of the way.
鈥淒uring my first two years of university, it was easy to fall behind because I only had myself to rely on,鈥� she says.
Regular check-ins with Indigenous cohort advisor Kimberly Lickers helped her stay on track and establish better study habits.听
鈥淲ithout the help and support of Kim and my peers in the IPMP cohort, I genuinely don鈥檛 know if I would be graduating this year,鈥� Madison says. She is looking forward to Convocation and celebrating with her family, including her Mikiju (grandmother) Amelia (Millie) Augustine (LLB鈥�94).
鈥淪he鈥檚 really excited to see her granddaughter graduate from 肉肉传媒 as well,鈥� Madison says.听听
With her bachelor鈥檚 degree behind her, Madison hopes to apply to medical school at Dal and one day work with children as a pediatrician in her community of Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick. 鈥淭hey supported me so much throughout my undergraduate degree,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 would love to give back to my community in any way that I can.鈥� 鈥� Kenneth Conrad听
Cameron Stephens
Though he is the first member of his family to pursue a medical education, Cameron Stephens says he was inspired from an early age to become a doctor. When high school advisors made him aware of Dal鈥檚 Medical Sciences program and its new IPMP cohort initiative, he knew it would put him on a path to success.听
鈥淚PMP impacted my studies as soon as I arrived on campus,鈥� he says, crediting his African Nova Scotian cohort advisor Vanessa Borden for helping identify opportunities for networking and personal growth, from joining a Dal contingent for a three-week field course in Ghana听to gaining experience working in a cardiac physiology laboratory.听听
His classmates also proved inspirational: 鈥淲e challenged each other to be the best versions of ourselves.鈥澨�
Cameron鈥檚 hard work paid off with acceptance into 肉肉传媒 Medical School鈥檚 Class of 2030, after which he hopes to practice in his home province and serve his community 鈥� born and raised in Windsor, he has family roots in the historic African Nova Scotian community of East Preston.听
He also plans to stay involved with future IPMP cohorts as a mentor. 鈥淚 hope my success can reflect the impact IPMP had on me and others.鈥� 鈥� Kenneth Conrad听
Ogechi Akunyili
Ogechi Akunyili, a Nigerian-Canadian student, knew early on that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine. Having lived in Nova Scotia since she was 12, 肉肉传媒 stood out for its strong science programs. When she learned about the Medical Sciences program from a Black mentor in high school, she knew it was the right fit.听
That decision led her to the IPMP program, where she found not only academic support, but also a strong sense of belonging.听
鈥淗aving a community throughout my four years was helpful,鈥� she says, recalling the guidance of her mentor, who helped her navigate registration challenges and advocated for increased scholarship support.听
Through IPMP, Ogechi also built connections that broadened her perspective and reinforced that she was not alone. Over four years, she experienced significant personal growth, especially in her confidence 鈥� becoming more comfortable stepping outside her comfort zone and engaging with others.听
As part of the IPMP program鈥檚 first graduating cohort, Ogechi is proud to contribute to a broader shift in representation in healthcare.听听
鈥淚t means we are progressing towards inclusivity,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he future will see many more Indigenous and Black health-care providers, and I鈥檓 really thankful to be part of it.鈥澨�
She will begin medical school this fall, taking the next step toward helping shape a more inclusive future in healthcare. 鈥� Kate Rogers听
This is the Class of 2026
Follow the Class of 2026 as Spring Convocation unfolds at 肉肉传媒. New graduate stories, standout moments and daily updates from ceremonies in Halifax.
Meet our grads 鈫�