THUNDER BAY -- As Evan Wilson waits to hear if he’s been accepted to medical school, he’s looking for employment opportunities to keep him busy.
The 23-year-old recently graduated from Queen’s University with a masters in anatomical science and moved back home to Thunder Bay.
The 14th annual Home of the Holidays health-care student reception seemed like a good place to see what opportunities existed in the community.
“Trying to do Google searches, it gets overwhelming seeing all the different results you get. Here you have actual people you can talk to,” Wilson said.
“You have organized booths you can walk up, get all the resources, talk to all the people who know where your contacts need to be.”
Wilson was one of dozens of health-care students at the reception Monday afternoon at the West Thunder Community Centre, where health-care organizations set up booths and talk to students about employment opportunities.
Community relations coordinator for the city Brady Lucas said the event isn’t just for future physicians but for any type of health-care worker from nurses and physiotherapists to social workers.
And the event isn’t just about giving the students a chance to network, but also about encouraging them to come back to their hometown when they’ve completed their education.
“Thunder Bay is trying to stay in line with that highly competitive market,” Lucas said.
Anishnawbe Mushkiki Aboriginal Health Centre is always growing and expanding so the Home for the Holidays receptions is a great place to recruit new team members.
Clinic manager Miranda Henry said the organization has a multi-disciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, dietitians, diabetes educators and foot care nurses.
“We work collaboratively,” said Henry.
“It’s supportive. It’s a great learning environment. I think it’s a good environment for newer physicians or medical student and learners coming into Thunder Bay,” she said, adding it’s also a good opportunity to learn about Aboriginal culture and Aboriginal health needs.
