On May 13, the Access Program Graduation Celebration honoured 13 Access students for graduating with their respective degrees including Juris Doctor- Law, Bachelor of Kinesiology, Medical Doctor, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts (Advanced), Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work, and Bachelor of Health Studies. The Access Program provides holistic supports to students on their academic journey. Here are some of their stories.
Dr. Glennis Bird knows when she is connecting with her patients. “When I come into the room, I can feel stress levels go down. They see me, and I see them. It truly is an honour and a privilege,” says the Access Program grad who earned her MD from the University of Manitoba last fall.
The Ojibway woman from Peguis First Nation hopes to work in Northern Indigenous communities. “There are so many chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease impacting our people. Our communities also carry generations of trauma and grief. I want to be part of healing in whatever capacity Creator sees for me.”
Bird’s approach is rooted in cultural reassurance, advocacy, education, and giving back to community. “Access helped me in so many ways. Just knowing they were there was a comfort. Being part of the Access community helped me feel seen, supported, and reminded me that I belonged in medicine — not just for myself, but for the communities I hope to serve.”
“I have always wanted to help people and be part of a team working to make health care safer for our Indigenous communities.”
Bird came to the University of Manitoba to complete her BSc before pursuing medicine. “Access was a huge support for me during my BSc degree. There are no words to express how much it normalized what I was going through. It helped me realize I was not alone and that I belonged here.”
Her journey included many challenges. She began her studies as a mature student and mother of two. Along the way, she experienced the heartbreak of losing a child, welcomed another baby into the world, broke both ankles at the same time, went through a divorce, and became a single mother — all while continuing to pursue her dream of becoming a physician.
Through it all, she kept going.
“Life tested me in ways I never could have imagined, but every challenge strengthened my understanding of resilience, compassion, and the importance of community. Those experiences shaped not only who I am as a person, but the kind of physician I hope to be for others,” she says.
“Access helped me in the areas where I struggled. I was always a math nerd — strong in math and science — but tutoring helped strengthen my reading and writing skills and prepared me for the MCAT. The personal counselling and therapy supports also helped me process my grief and continue moving forward,” she says.
“For a mature student like me, building a strong community of support can make all the difference in success. Access became that community for me. It lifts you up so you do not feel isolated or alone.”
Bird attended the Access graduation with her mom, son, and daughter. “My mom and dad sacrificed so much to help me through this journey. Graduating felt surreal for all of us.”
Kayla Thomas attended the Access Graduation with her boyfriend, grandma and dad. She celebrates her convocation in June.
“It’s very overwhelming. There was so much hard work. I wonder where the time went,” says the Cree and Ojibway grad with parents from Norway House Cree Nation and Peguis First Nation.
Thomas came to the Access Program as a U1 student, unsure where to focus her studies. They suggested Health Sciences and she went for it.
“I never understood how important health would be to me. The social determinants of health and how those factors influence others. That really opened my mind. It makes me emotional. I want to help others. I feel a passion for that, and to see others succeed.”
Thomas came to the Access Program as a U1 student, unsure where to focus her studies. They suggested Health Sciences and she went for it.
“I never understood how important health would be to me. The social determinants of health and how those factors influence others. That really opened my mind. It makes me emotional. I want to help others. I feel a passion for that, and to see others succeed.”
So now that she is the first in her family to earn a degree, Thomas plans to build on it and apply to Film Studies in the fall. “I would like to promote health in video and storytelling. It’s a good way to educate and inform. I want to pursue film studies to promote health.”
Until her grandmother heard about Access and suggested she check it out, Thomas says she found university overwhelming. “I had no idea how to navigate it. All my peers were non-Indigenous. Access was the best thing I could have, with resources and support throughout my studies. I don’t know where I would be without them.”
From Access’s smaller first-year classes, opportunities to build connections with others, and tutoring for statistics, she says, “When life and school were stressful, they guided me to a counsellor. They helped so much. I want to continue in their program and push myself to be more involved in my culture too.”
Cameron Dyck grew up as a big sister to three younger siblings. “I wanted to become a teacher because I’m passionate about positively shaping the education and growth of others. I love working with children and can’t imagine myself doing anything else,” says the Métis teacher from Elie, Manitoba.
Dyck celebrates her convocation in June. Her mom who is a teaching assistant working on her own Bachelor of Education degree joined her for the Access Graduation Celebration.
For the rest of this academic year, Dyck holds a term position teaching Grade 1 and providing literary support for grades 3 to 5 but then she is off on her next adventure. She learned about the opportunity at UM.
“One thing I love about teaching is the opportunities it provides. Last year, it gave me the chance to teach in the UK for four months, and next year, it has allowed me to accept a teaching position in Melbourne, Australia.”
Dyck first came to UM to earn her BA. She heard about Access from a family friend. As one of only 7 in her own high school graduating class, the idea of smaller classes appealed to her.
“In my time in the Access Program, I greatly appreciated the smaller class sizes, which allowed me to build stronger relationships with my teachers. What I appreciated most, however, were the resources and support services the program provided. The free tutoring was especially helpful whenever I needed extra support with my coursework.”
UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. Many of these new alumni will stay in Manitoba, supplying high-demand skills to the labour market and contributing to UM’s economic impact on our community.
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