Rylan Porter

BA in Health Sciences

By learning more about the Canada’s health care system policies, Rylan Porter hopes to use his Bachelor of Arts to provide informative and welcoming care.

Rylan Porter was pulled to the wide spectrum of health-related topics that the Bachelor of Arts (BA) program at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS). He wanted to learn about the multiple perspectives and disciplines used in understanding health, and how there is more to health than just research and work in hospital settings. Specifically, he points to learning about Indigenous perspectives on health in HSCI 220, viewing health from an ecosystem/planetary health perspective in HSCI 372, and from the perspective of cities/built environment in HSCI 403.

“I wanted to learn about Canadian current health care system from a non-medicine perspective, like policies, regulations, and what goes on behind the scenes; all of these courses help me understand how complex health is, and all the ways we can influence population health” he explains. “Understanding how the health system works from a policy perspective is something I’m excited to learn in FHS, especially with how friendly the environment is here, and how FHS staff, faculty, and representatives always provide opportunities to learn more.”

Finding opportunities to give back has been instrumental for Porter’s goal in helping others from behind the scenes. Working with the Health Sciences Undergraduate Student Union (HSUSU) as their Undergraduate Studies Committee Representative (UGSC) Arts Representative, he helps represent and advocate for students in the FHS BA program by fostering relationships with peers and organizing events throughout the Faculty and the FHS Student Commons.

“Acting as a bridge between students and faculty has been overwhelmingly fun. I’ve been able to communicate with our student body and understanding what a wide range of ways our student community wants to approach health,” he says. “In my first year in FHS, I met some of my closest friends by attending events held in our FHS Student Commons, and I’ve been able to feel so much more connected to my peers and the faculty as a whole.

Porter advises students to ask questions and get involved. Whether it be attending a HSUSU event, or building up peers within the FHS Student Commons or your classes, he ensures that FHS will provides many chances to find your place and people.

“There are so many amazing opportunities within FHS to get involved. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to your friends and professors, utilize existing resources like our FHS Student Advisors, and reach out to organizations that may help you along your education journey.”