Britton, Joshua

Preet Gandhi (BKin ‘18) is a Project Coordinator with the Ethics Quality Improvement Team at the William Osler Health System in Ontario, where he works on two gerontology projects funded by the World Health Organization and Health Canada. “After my degree, I transitioned to global health innovation, starting a position with Grand Challenges Canada in Toronto, and then working with an organization providing innovative health coverage in Kenya.” After completing his KIN degree, Preet went on to complete his Master’s (MSc) of Global Health at McMaster University in 2020.

While he was at UBC, Preet spent 3 years as a board member for the Ustawi Health Research Association, an organization that focused on providing resources and support for students looking to work in and learn about global health. “I also launched a global health club, and got involved in gerontology research through the UBC School of Nursing at that time.”

“As an undergrad, I enrolled in a graduate course on ‘Global Health and Human Security’, which allowed me to work with graduate students and professionals who were more experienced (and wiser!) than I. It was an incredible learning opportunity that opened my eyes to a host of potential careers.”

“I gained skills and knowledge from KIN that helped me transition into the field of global health innovation. I had fantastic sports sociology instructors including Dr. Brian Wilson and Shawn Forde. Their courses opened my eyes to the primary role of sport in improving community health and how programs can be developed in different parts of the world. I didn’t realize how much I had learned in those courses ‘til I’d been working in the field for a few months!” He says, “Dr. Carolyn McEwen was also a fantastic professor for my research methods course – I have been able to transfer these skills to many different areas of research now, from epidemiology to qualitative studies.”

“A benefit of the KIN program was getting to meet some great people!” Together with former KIN peer Josh Britton (BKin 2015), they started a podcast that makes health news entertaining and accessible for people outside healthcare. “Our show, Sicker than your Average Health Show, combines our different backgrounds in medicine and global health to bring a new spin to health headlines that our communities might not be aware of.”

Joey came to UBC KIN as a transfer student from Langara College. “My background in sport led me naturally into this field. I played soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball and rugby as a kid, so when I found out that I could study the body, activity and sports, I was eager to pursue it all!”

After he graduated from UBC, went to Sydney University in Australia for 6 months to play rugby in the club league. He went on to travel across more than 24 countries for 6 months. “It was one of the best experiences of my life. I bought a Eurorail pass, went to the train station and decided where I wanted to go at the moment. My travels took me from the South Pacific, to Western and Eastern Europe and throughout Asia.” Joey says, “I implore everyone, young or old, to explore the world. See what is out there. Try new foods. Go to a café and have a conversation with someone you don’t know.”
Once Joey returned home, he enrolled at BCIT to study International Trade and Transportation. Halfway through the program, Joey decided that after completing his diploma, he would obtain the certifications to become a firefighter. He has now been a firefighter with the City of Surrey since 2013!

Joey reflects on his time as a student at UBC, “my time at UBC taught me resilience, the importance of a lifetime of fitness, and how to critically think and understand the human body as much as I could. My degree gave me the knowledge to be as prepared as possible in pursuing my career as a firefighter.” Joey’s most memorable moments at UBC occurred during his Annual trips to CAL Berkeley with the Varsity rugby team. “We played in a home and away match called The World Cup every year and it was an aggregate of both scores. In 2005, my last year, we finally hoisted the Trophy at home!” Joey was most inspired by his rugby coach, Spence McTavish. “He played a huge role in not only my success on the rugby field, but also in life. He taught me to never give up, to always keep fighting.”

Joey is also a valued member of the KIN Mentorship program. He states, “I love being able to give back to the program that gave me the tools of learning for life. I look forward to doing it for many years to come, and sharing my passion for life, travel and happiness to students!”