Volunteer Profile: Lilyan Jia
Tell Us About Yourself:
Hi there! My name is Lilyan (She/Her/Hers) and I am currently a third year medical student at UBC. I was born in Saskatoon and raised in Canberra, Melbourne, and Burnaby. In 2023, I graduated frmo the UBC PharmD program and subsequently continued my journey of life-long learning by studying medicine. As an introvert at heart, I recharge by reading, sewing, and listening to nerdy podcasts.
How did you become involved in the Reading Bear Society?
During Clubs Day, I learned about all the amazing student groups and initiatives that the Medical Undergraduate Society had to offer, but the Reading Bear really resonated with me. I owe my love of reading to my grade-school teachers, who played a formative role in shaping my passion for books. I joined RBS because I wanted to help foster that same positive experience for other children. Working with kids is especially rewarding to me, as I am continually inspired by their curiosity, enthusiasm for learning, and endless imagination!
What is your role in the RBS?
I am currently part of the Communications and Social Media team, where you can find me posting about our Community Visits, FLEX projects, book drives and more. Last year, I was one of the co-chairs of the RBS Vancouver Chapter and Canuck Place coordinator, where my main responsibility was organizing and leading Dr. Bear and Canuck Place visits.
What is your best memory of RBS?
That would be my very first Dr. Bear visit at UHill Preschool! I led an activity that simulated what it would be like to be treated for an injured arm using teddy bears. The kids loved placing their pandas into the “X-ray machine” and turning it on together to reveal the scan. Their smiles were contagious, and I felt like a child again myself! It was incredibly rewarding to share such a fun and special moment with them. Because of this, I was inspired to re-vamp our X-Ray box to include tactile “on” buttons and battery powered lights, making the experience more interactive and engaging for the kids.
Why do you support RBS?
I love how Dr. Bear visits encourage children to explore how to take care of their bodies through play, curiosity, and storytelling. I have seen firsthand how using teddy bears to teach reading, healthy habits, and emotional regulation creates a sense of comfort that allows kids to engage without fear or pressure.
