Bannatyne campus was abuzz recently as we welcomed over 230 high school students and teachers from across the province (including 25 per cent from 350 km or further away from Winnipeg) for the 14th annual TD Discovery Days.

Hosted by the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, Discovery Days gives Grade 11 and 12 students the opportunity to engage with our faculty and take part in interactive workshops so they can learn more about possible careers in the health field.

Modern health care teams demand trained health-care professionals with a wide range of diverse skills.

It is always my hope that students will be exposed to health sciences professions they may never have previously considered. Discovery Days is not only important to help young people learn more about possible careers in the health sciences, it is vital for building our future health care workforce in Manitoba.

This year, Discovery Days workshops included a presentation on nursing in northern Manitoba; an introduction to physical therapy; and an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a simulated medical environment that recreates situations doctors face every day.

Students also heard from Heidi Wood [PhD/04], a disease specialist at the National Microbiology Lab and lecturer in Medical Microbiology, speak about her experiences treating Ebola patients in Sierra Leone. Dr. Wood’s presentation gave a fascinating insight into how U of M medical professionals are making a positive difference around the world.

Med III student Gail Pollard shared her journey into medical school and gave advice to students who are thinking of applying to professional programs in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

I am always inspired by the enthusiasm of these students and with their desire to learn. I can’t help but think that some of these young people may in turn be inspired to follow a path in a health care profession or medical sciences.

We are very excited to be co-hosting the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame 2015 Induction in Winnipeg next spring with myself and Dr. Arnold Naimark as co-chairs and Gary Doer, Ambassador to the US, as honorary co-chair along with a stellar planning committee. The inductees for 2015 include luminaries such as Dr. Alan Bernstein, Dr. Judith G. Hall, Dr. Bernard Langer, the late Dr. John McCrae, Dr. Julio Montaner and Dr. Duncan G. Sinclair.

We sincerely hope that you will join us to celebrate their careers and accomplishments on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at the CMHF Induction Dinner at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre in Winnipeg.

These inductees represent our country’s medical heroes. It is my hope that Discovery Days may be the first step for today’s students to become tomorrow’s medical heroes – the future leaders who will make their contributions felt here in Manitoba and around the world.

Who’s your medical hero?