Name: Tom Green
Degree & Year: BSc'96, MSc'03  (MD from Queen's 2006)
Current Profession/Employer: Emergency Physician 
Instagram: tomgreenskidoc

Why did you choose to study/play at UBC?
I grew up on the West Side of Vancouver so UBC was home, actually living on the endowment lands many years. As a male field hockey player, UBC was - and is - the place to be, with much of the UBC team also playing for Canada. During most of my time at UBC, in both my undergrad science degree and Master of science degree, I played on the national team.

Favourite T-Bird memory: 
Road trip to a tournament in Berkeley, Calif. This was my first experience with the UBC team and was a great introduction to the play hard and have fun philosophy of the team. Player-coach at the time was two-time Olympian, Ian Bird! The tournament was more social than serious so some of the memories are a little foggy. 

Favourite place on campus: 
The grassy hill (which doesn't exist anymore) outside the Student Union Building on a sunny day. It was just a good outdoor gathering place.

What was your first job after graduation? 
Immediately after graduation I went travelling, so probably a few weeks working for a Persian carpet wholesaler in Melbourne and a few weeks picking tomatoes in Queensland. After that, working as a research assistant before starting my Masters at St. Paul's Hospital.

What advice do you have for current student-athletes? 
Enjoy your time. The lessons you learn in sports and in university, and the memories, will stay with you forever. Something I realized only later, university is only a little bit about classes. Lessons in balance, prioritizing and hard work are the most important…and varsity sports was a great teacher.

What's the best advice you can give to a student or recent alumni to help plan a career? 
Take your time to gain some life experience. That will be more important to you in your career than any class you take.

Do you have a mentor?  How have they influenced you?
Like most people, I have had mentors at many stages in life. Looking back at sports, I think Rick Roberts would be a mentor of mine. Rick is a UBC alumnus and fellow national team athlete. Amazingly hard worker, but most importantly really supportive of younger athletes.

How and where do you find inspiration? 
Now…It's probably trying to keep up with my kids. I think I can still out-ski them, although not for long. I certainly can't beat them on a mountain bike!!! 

How have you used your varsity athletic experience in your current career/life? 
Varsity sports was an early attempt at finding a work-life balance, setting goals and focusing on the important tasks. As an emergency doctor, finding work life balance is super important. Most emergency doctors are work hard/play hard people.

Anything particular insights during this quarantine? 
Keep safe and make smart choices for your family and your community. 

What are your go-to songs and podcasts? 
I listen to CBC Ideas and Freakonomics most often. 

Can you share any new quarantine hobbies/goals? 
I built a backyard pizza oven!!!