Record number of Indigenous students begin medical school at University of Manitoba Social Sharing

Métis scholars Caitlin Wachal, left, and Kirsten Fleury, who are starting their first year of medical school at the University of Manitoba, aspire to be physicians working to improve health care for Indigenous people in the province. (Submitted by Caitlin Wachal and Kirsten Fleury)

As they begin their first year of medical school, two Métis women have aspirations of helping Indigenous people access better and more equitable health care in Manitoba.

Kirsten Fleury, 24, and Caitlin Wachal, 32, took part in the White Coat Ceremony on Wednesday, as the University of Manitoba's Max Rady College of Medicine in Winnipeg welcomed its largest cohort of Indigenous students ever — with 17 out of 110 self-identifying as Indigenous.

"I am still feeling like everything is very surreal," Fleury said after reciting the physician's pledge and receiving her white coat — a milestone she's looked forward to for several years.

"It felt exciting and also terrifying that today was finally the day. This is real. I did get in."

Fleury's medical aspirations began in high school, but she said her first few years of university were difficult and shook her confidence.

By Erin Brohman