Angela Bokenfohr’s had schizophrenia, asthma, numerous ankle injuries, broken bones and bruises covering her entire body. But Bokenfohr isn’t short on luck– she works at the University of Alberta’s Standardized Patient Program (SPP) where portraying varying medical conditions is the name of the game.

“HELP! Please - I need HELP!” An urgent plea for help sounds from the student commons lobby in the University of Alberta’s Edmonton Clinic Health Academy. Four health science students chatting in a nearby hallway look at one another, drop what they’re doing and run. “I’m so glad you’re here.” A man in a baseball cap paces around a coffee table, wringing his hands, looking anxiously at the ground a few feet away from him.