The Student Practice Education team is proud to celebrate Courtenay Hopson, one of Northern Health’s newest recipients of the Preceptor Award. The award, launched in 2025, recognizes exceptional clinicians across the organization who take on the dual responsibility of providing high-quality patient care while mentoring the next generation of health professionals.
Each year, students from programs at Stenberg College, College of New Caledonia, University of Northern British Columbia, University of British Columbia, and other institutions nominate preceptors who made a meaningful difference in their clinical education. This year, more than 55 students shared heartfelt nominations for 86 nominees, demonstrating the deep impact Northern Health preceptors have across the province.
A career rooted in learning
Courtenay completed her dietetics education through the UBC Dietetics program, which at the time included four years of coursework and a ten-month internship with a BC health authority. She completed her internship with Northern Health in 2009, with rotations in Prince George, Fort St. John, Quesnel, and Prince Rupert - experiences that shaped her early understanding of Northern practice.
Only one week after finishing her internship, Courtenay began her career with Northern Health. After three years as a frontline dietitian at the University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC), she stepped into the Lead Clinical Dietitian role, which later became permanent. Today, she continues to provide acute care coverage, while also overseeing a team of talented dietitians at UHNBC, its clinics, and several long-term care sites.
Mauricio Plata, Manager, Complex Chronic Disease, praises Courtenay’s leadership and impact she’s had on the team:
“Her mentorship goes far beyond clinical guidance, it has shaped not only our professional growth, but also our belonging and sense of purpose as a team. Courtenay gives her time, her compassion, and her heart, even helping new team members feel at home in our community by taking them around town on weekends and making sure they never feel alone. Her kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to others exemplify the very best of who we are and who we aspire to be.”
Why precepting matters
Courtenay’s passion for teaching stems from her own positive internship experience. She remembers entering her internship nervous and unsure, but says her preceptors gave her confidence and set her up for success.
“I always hoped I could have that kind of positive impact on a student,” she shared. “It can be life-changing to have a preceptor believe in you during such a stressful time.”
As a preceptor, she’s also seen the power of representation. A student once told her it was inspiring to see someone who identified as introverted succeed in a leadership role, proof that there’s space in health care for every personality and learning style.
The student that nominated Courtenay shared the following:
“Courtenay did an amazing job precepting me and my placement partner. She always patiently answered all our questions and arranged meetings with leaders and different departments so we could really understand the role of dietitians in leadership and how different teams collaborate. Outside work, she helped us connect with others and explore Northern BC by organizing hiking trips, pilates classes, and the memorable Centennial Loop walk, which made us feel like part of the team. Her support in both our learning and well-being was exceptional and made our placement truly enriching.”
The impact of preceptors in the North
Courtenay strongly believes that Northern placements offer unique and meaningful learning opportunities. She credits NH with giving her a rich internship experience and continues encouraging post-secondary institutions to send their students North.
“NH offers such incredible learning opportunities,” she said. “Students often leave surprised by how valuable and enjoyable their time here is.”
Preceptors like Courtenay support the health care system not only by training future clinicians but by inspiring them to consider a Northern practice and helping them feel confident as they begin their careers.
A second student who nominated Courtenay said:
“Courtenay has been very supportive since day one of my placement. She created a welcoming space and provided a lot of opportunities for me to learn. For example, connected me with multiple colleagues who work in different areas to facilitate my understanding of how leadership can play roles in various positions, and provided a lot of resources to support my project during the placement.”
Inspired by people
For Courtenay, the most rewarding part of her work is the people she collaborates with every day. Her team, colleagues, and peers, keep her energized. She finds purpose in supporting patients in vulnerable moments, especially in critical care areas like the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where nutritional support can literally save lives.
Outside of work, she maintains balance through knitting, reading, running, baking, skiing, skating, and spending time with her niece and nephew.
Advice for new preceptors
Courtenay encourages new or prospective preceptors to reflect on the best mentors they had in their own training. “Think about what you appreciated from your best preceptors and try some of those strategies. Be open to feedback. And don’t be too hard on yourself,” she encouraged. Both students and preceptors, she notes, often feel self-conscious at first. Confidence grows on both sides.
The most rewarding moments for her? Hearing that a student felt safe, welcomed, and supported. “It can be a lot of work,” she said, “but it’s incredibly inspiring to watch students learn and grow into full members of the profession. It’s worth it."
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