A career in medicine was the intention for fourth-generation Powell Riverite Danielle Lessor from an early age.
This year she will achieve her goal and receive a medical degree from University of British Columbia, then begin a five-year residency in anesthesiology.
According to Lessor, the road to becoming a doctor was neither straightforward nor simple.
“I took a non-traditional path to medicine,” said Lessor. “I’d had a career and came into medicine at an older age, and it took me a couple of years to get into the program.”
After graduating from Brooks Secondary School in 2004, Lessor attended Vancouver Island University locally and at island campus, where she completed her nursing degree and enjoyed a career as a registered nurse for several years, all while working on her larger goals in medicine.
“It made the journey longer; it didn’t make it easier,” said Lessor. “In my practice now I definitely feel that nursing foundation is so supportive and enriching to what I can offer people as a doctor.”
Lessor said she was the only student accepted into the medical program at UBC from the West Vancouver/Sunshine Coast/Howe Sound region for the 2018 graduating class and that no students from the region were accepted the two years prior.
“I would love to share my story as a voice of inspiration to youth to stay committed to their dreams, especially and even in the face of adversity,” she said.
Lessor participated in the Northern Medical Program, a partnership between UBC, University of Victoria and University of Northern BC in Prince George. Students spend the first four months of their medical education at UBC in Vancouver; Lessor then transferred to Prince George for her training.
“I chose Prince George because there’s a real sense of community among the medical team there,” she said. “Being from a rural community, that really spoke to me. It has been an education focused on rural medicine.”
Lessor’s interest and experience in helping professions began with her early involvement as a candy striper at Powell River General Hospital. She began volunteering at age 12 and continued with the program until high school graduation.
“The leaders of that program were such inspirational women,” she said. “They exemplified leadership, patient connection and compassion, and I wanted to emulate that.”
After graduation Lessor will begin her residency on the east coast where her partner has family. She said she feels grateful to the community of Powell River, where she got her start.
“I had the opportunity to work with incredible nurses and physicians in Powell River and I have such a supportive family there,” she said.
Lessor said she hopes to convey to others that so much is possible to achieve, despite barriers.
“There is a lot of opportunity if you’re committed and disciplined to do the work,” she said. “If you have mistakes or failures, don’t allow them to identify you. You can reinvent yourself so many times.”
