Julia Soudat

Meet six of U of T's newest medical school grads

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 14:11:40 +0000

Meet six of U of T's newest medical school grads

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 06/05/2023 - 10:11

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Clockwise from top left: Temerty Faculty of Medicine graduates Rehona Zamani, Sachin Kumar, Laura Feldman, Elya Quesnel, Irene Harmsen and Calandra Li (photo by Julia Sudat)

Julia Soudat

Topic

Our Community

Convocation 2023

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Hospital for Sick Children

Graduates from the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine crossed the stage at Convocation Hall last week, taking another important step toward their future careers.

Writer Julia Soudat asked six of them to reflect on why they wanted to pursue medicine, what they’ve gained from medical school and what lies next in their journeys.

Below is an edited and condensed version of those conversations:

Laura Feldman

Valedictorian, Class of 2023
Up next: Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Toronto

I come from a medical family – and although this gave me a huge leg up, it didn’t necessarily make me want to be a doctor.

I saw how it could be a hugely satisfying job. However, I also saw how it could be a path to burn-out, and how it is by no means the only way to make a positive difference with one’s career.

After earning my master’s degree in epidemiology at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, I worked for several years at the Hospital for Sick Children as a research analyst in Dr. Teresa To’s lab.

Although I really loved research, I started to feel disconnected working with millions of anonymous data points. In order to be effective and impactful, I felt I had to gain a deeper understanding, through medical school, of health and what it meant to people.

I’m excited (and nervous) to be starting a residency in public health and preventive medicine at the University of Toronto. It’s kind of the perfect program from which to continue my journey of gaining proficiency in clinical medicine at the individual level while training to work to improve the health of populations.

Calandra Li

Up next: Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University of Toronto

I grew up in a very large and tight-knit family. So for me, it was important to pursue a career that centred around community and helping one another – and medicine checks those boxes. I also admire medicine as a profession that intrinsically demands of its members to be committed to lifelong learning, leadership development and intimate human connection.

I am humbled to have the opportunity to walk patients through some of the most complex and challenging moments of their lives and offer them and their loved ones even a tiny bit of compassion and understanding.

I will be starting residency in the division of plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery at the University of Toronto. I became interested in plastics because a close family member had surgical intervention for an auto-inflammatory dermatologic condition. That personal connection grew into a passion for this field, which necessitates creativity and discipline in order to restore form, function and confidence to patients’ lives.

Sachin Kumar

Up next: Pediatrics, Accelerated Research Pathway, Boston Children’s Hospital

I came across the MD/PhD program while I was completing my master's degree in molecular genetics. I had previously been very research-focused, but my curiosity grew around how to connect basic biological research advances to make an impact for patients at the bedside.

I learned about the role of a physician-scientist – someone who not only treats and cares for patients, but also uses their experiences to ask clinically informed questions. Within the MD/PhD Program I have been able to do exactly that. My research revolved around understanding the genetic underpinnings of two debilitating brain tumours, and I continue to work to develop novel targeted therapies to treat these cancers.

I am really excited to start residency and this next chapter. I have been at the University of Toronto for 15 years, and it has been such a formative experience for me. As I head out to Boston, I look forward to working with new faculty mentors and getting involved in research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Irene Harmsen

Up next: Neurosurgery, University of Alberta

It's been my dream to become a physician since high school when I started volunteering at my local hospital and got involved in medical research. I experienced first-hand how physicians can help patients and their families through these encounters.

For most, medical school is a four-year journey. However, I was fortunate enough to complete the combined MD/PhD program, which gave me double the amount of time to enjoy all aspects of medical school. Highlights include leading the Neurosurgery Interest Group, being an MD/PhD mentor and co-founding a precision neuroscience company called Cove.

I'm excited to start a new chapter in Edmonton as part of the neurosurgery residency program at the University of Alberta. My early interest in the brain stemmed from its complexity and dynamic nature and the mystery of this intricate organ. I look forward to honing my surgical skills and learning how to best treat patients both in and out of the operating room.

Elya Quesnel

Up next: Pediatrics, University of Montreal / Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire Sainte-Justine

In 1920, in a small town near Paris, a simple wooden box served as an improvised incubator to save my grandmother and her twin sister. Born prematurely and weighing only one kilogram, they spent months in that incubator. My grandmother lived to be 94 years old. Her story, which taught me that a child is much more than their illness, is why I wanted to become doctor and a pediatrician.

I’m excited to be there for children and to learn the tools to help families in difficult times. I look forward to working with colleagues and allied health teams to have an early impact on a child’s disease trajectory, and to being able to contribute to the field with translational and clinical research.

At U of T, I had the chance to learn from pediatric teams at SickKids, North York General Hospital and Michael Garron Hospital.

I am extremely grateful and excited to continue in pediatrics by joining the Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine, and practise in French – my first language.

Rehona Zamani

Up next: Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto

There are many factors behind my decision to become a physician and I am grateful that this list continues to grow. However, the most significant influence was my intimate understanding at an early age of the impact of the social determinants of health.

I was raised in a tight-knit community in Toronto that endured significant poverty, food insecurity and racialization. Witnessing the impact of these factors on individual and community health inspired me to pursue a field of advocacy and leadership in health care.

I am energized and inspired by my interactions with patients, and I look forward to having a positive impact on communities on a local and international scale. I hope to contribute to the advances in improving maternal health, especially in rural and remote areas.

As an obstetrics/gynecology resident, I look forward to gaining the medical knowledge and surgical skills to provide meaningful and patient centred-care. I am astounded by how much I have grown as a person through medical school and look forward to witnessing who I am after residency.

Read the grads’ full responses at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Medical school grads reflect on their time at U of T – and share tips for future students

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 14:40:09 +0000

Medical school grads reflect on their time at U of T – and share tips for future students

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 06/07/2022 - 10:40

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Left to right: Happy Inibhunu, Justin Lim, Alainna Jamal, Siraj Zahr and Jordi Klein (all photos by Julia Soudat)

Julia Soudat

Topic

Our Community

Convocation 2020

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Mount Sinai Hospital

University Health Network

Before trading their white coats for black gowns and receiving their degrees at Convocation Hall, several members of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine's Class of 2022 recently looked back on their time in med school and shared advice for future students.

Five of those students – MD graduates Happy Inibhunu, Justin Lim and Jordi Klein, as well as MD/PhD grads Alainna Jamal and Siraj Zahr – describe the rollercoaster of emotions they felt during their education at the University of Toronto, from delivering their first baby to losing their first patient.

Here is a snapshot of their reflections:

Happy Inibhunu

Graduating from: MD Program
Up next: Residency in neurosurgery, Western University

Time goes by really fast, as sometimes I often rewind back to orientation and am amazed of the incredible friends I have made these last four years. Some highlights of my medical school journey are my first-ever triathlon, receiving an honorable mention by the Canadian Society of Palliative Care for my written piece, "10:30,” providing care to patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic through virtual and in-person means, and, undoubtedly, achieving my dream of becoming a neurosurgery resident.

These last four years in Toronto helped define the physician I aspire to be by building interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary networks in a harmonious manner, creating positive, empathetic and trustworthy rapport with patients, and having the extraordinary opportunity of striving diligently to provide care to neurosurgical patients as a life-long vocation.

Being part of the Class of 2022, which did more than half of medical school during the pandemic, and navigating clerkship within the pandemic was certainly a hard obstacle to overcome. Striving to build rapport and guidance with patients through the distance created with the application of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while balancing the uncertainty of the pandemic placed another layer of complexity to our learning. However, a defining characteristic that resonated through the pandemic is the ability to recognize, acknowledge and strengthen virtues of humanity. For instance, sharing a laugh, providing extra time within visits, supporting one another and always remembering the person is separate from the disease. With this mindset, more unique aspects of clerkship and the pandemic shone through while building a harmonious community throughout my rotations among physicians, residents, allied health-care professionals, patients and caregivers.

I have been aspiring to this moment for a long time. To be one of the incoming PGY1 neurosurgery residents at Western University is a humbling honour. I am excited to continue on this path towards providing optimal care for patients, similar to my mentors, paving the way for me to soon become a well-rounded, skillfully trained neurosurgeon.

Advice for incoming students: It is often common to feel out-of-place in new situations, especially in medical school. You might hear of the phrase "imposter syndrome" in your first few weeks of orientation and throughout your career. Try not to be intimated by this phrase. Instead use it as a template to branch from. To get to where you are, it takes sacrifice, passion and excitement to dedicate your life to the betterment of others.

Justin Lim

Graduating from: MD Program
Up next: Residency in ObGyn, University of Toronto

I don't think I truly knew what I was getting myself into when I decided I wanted to become a physician. I just knew I wanted to contribute to my community in a meaningful way. Through the growing pains of medical school, I learned that there is something incredibly special about how our profession affords us the opportunity to be with people at some of their most vulnerable moments. The highs are high and the lows are low, but ultimately caring for others is central to what continues to draw me in to this profession.

Without a doubt, the most remarkable highlight of medical school has been watching my friends and classmates grow as people, as a community and as future physicians – and growing alongside them. It was so wonderful watching everyone comfortably settle into their future specialties this last stretch of medical school, and be truly excited about going into our respective clinical spaces.

Medical school has been filled with many “firsts,” which is what makes these four years so fulfilling and exciting, but so darn challenging at the same time. Navigating these firsts kept me on my toes as I quickly learned that we all have things we’re good at (and things we're not so good at). It's funny remembering how nervous I was to take my first patient history. Now, that list of new experiences has grown exponentially – all the way from delivering my first baby to experiencing my first patient death. Learning how to sit with these experiences will be something I will be working on for years to come.

I am extremely excited – and nervous – for the many upcoming milestones that come along with an ObGyn residency, and am really looking forward learning how to do things with my hands. I remember learning how to throw my first knot a few years ago, and it still hasn't hit me that soon enough I'll be learning how to operate.

Advice for incoming students: you will constantly feel like you don’t have enough hours in a day. I remember feeling like I just did not ever have enough time. But I promise you that you do have time, and you will finish medical school excellent and competent.

The truth is, your to-do list will never end and the demands of medical school will feel overwhelming at times, but give yourself permission to do the things you need to do for you.

Jordi Klein

Graduating from: MD Program
Up next: Residency in emergency medicine, University of Toronto

I became interested in medicine because of my own experiences as a patient, which led to an academic interest in co-design for health-care systems and institutions. I’ve had some opportunities to use a co-design approach in creating lectures and resources for the MD program, and am excited to continue this work in residency. My experiences as a patient also cemented the importance of medicine as advocacy, and I’m motivated to continue my advocacy work supporting the health-care needs of marginalized and under-represented communities.

It’s true what they say: the days are long but the years are short. Med school was a collection of so many highlights. From de-stressing in the med lounge after an anatomy bellringer to delivering a baby for the first time, it’s amazing how much you grow in such a short amount of time. Among my greatest highlights were getting to know so many bright, hardworking, passionate future colleagues, who inspire me to be a better doctor and a better person.

I struggled a lot with imposter syndrome in medical school. I felt like I wasn’t cut out to be a doctor, that I didn’t belong here. It got worse in clerkship, as I would agonize over every little mistake, fearing it was evidence that all my worst fears were true and I actually wasn’t good enough after all. Over the course of clerkship, my mentors helped me feel more grounded and learn to adopt a growth mindset. The imposter syndrome is still a work-in-progress but it’s become easier to see mistakes as opportunities to grow. Learn by failing!

I’ve been incredibly lucky to have so many supportive mentors and colleagues throughout my training, and I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to pay it forward by teaching, supporting and mentoring other learners here at U of T. My training would not have been the same without the residents who taught me procedures, got me coffee on night shifts, cried with me after patient deaths, coached me through tough days and so much more. I hope to be that resident for future medical students.

Advice for incoming students: Each of you has something special to bring to this work. Don’t be afraid to bring your full self into medical training. Let your strengths be your strengths, and find the people and places that help you feel like the best, most authentic version of yourself.

Alainna Jamal

Graduating from: MD/PhD Program
Up next: Residency in internal medicine, University of Toronto

I started my first research project as a bachelor of science student in 2010 under the skillful mentorship of Dr. S. Joseph Kim (an associate professor at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health) and Dr. Shahid Husain (a clinician investigator in the department of medicine in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine) in the multi-organ transplant program at Toronto General Hospital. They were the first to show me the physician-scientist career path, and I was fascinated. I saw research and clinical medicine as inextricably linked. I wanted to treat individual patients, while leading a research program that improves patient care and health-care systems. I am most interested in infectious diseases and epidemiology, particularly antibiotic resistance.

My research focuses on understanding transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria in hospitals and communities, using epidemiological and genomic methods. These data allow us to make policy recommendations for infection prevention and control programs in Ontario.

The greatest highlight of my experience in the MD/PhD program was the opportunity to be rigorously research-trained by my PhD supervisor, Dr. Allison McGeer [a professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Dalla Lana School of Public Health and clinician scientist at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Sinai Health) as our team worked on new and evolving public health challenges (antibiotic resistance, and toward the end of my PhD, COVID-19). She is an authority in her field who also takes mentorship seriously. She gave me independence, while always offering constructive criticism and generous support.

I'm looking forward to honing my clinical skills and gaining independence as a physician, serving as a teacher and mentor to my junior peers, and answering the next question on my research agenda.

Advice for incoming students: Open doors for junior peers. Approach everything with a diversity, equity and inclusivity mindset.

Siraj Zahr

Graduating from: MD/PhD Program
Up next: Residency in anesthesiology, University of Toronto

Looking ahead, anesthesiology offers many avenues for scientific investigation as it encompasses the entire spectrum of medicine and surgery. I’m interested in mechanisms of action of certain anesthetics on brain activity, as well as chronic pain mechanisms and treatment. The interplay between what we categorize as psychiatric/mental versus physical in chronic pain disorders – and therapeutic modalities that target both – is a particularly exciting area to me.

My main doctoral research under the supervision of Dr. Freda Miller [in the department of physiology] and Dr. David Kaplan [in the department of molecular genetics] revolved around how neurons are generated from neural stem cells to build the mammalian cortex. The cortex underlies our perception of sensory information, performance of motor activities and higher-order cognition, so you can imagine that aberrations in this process can lead to a whole host of disorders.

Honestly, my biggest highlight [of med school] would have to be meeting my wife, Tina Marvasti, who I couples matched with. Other highlights are the friendships I’ve made and inspiring mentors I have met who have made me feel at home in Toronto.

I have faced many challenges, both academically and personally. Not to bore you with the details, but some useful things I have learned are that challenges are inevitable and necessary for growth, and that it is OK to lean on others for advice and guidance when you’re stuck.

As I embark on the next phase of training, I look forward to developing focused clinical expertise and independence in managing patients of varying complexity and acuity. I’m also looking forward to learning from the fantastic clinical and scientific mentors in anesthesiology.

There is a proverb of unclear origin that goes: "The person who asks is a fool for five minutes, but the person who does not ask remains a fool forever.” In medicine and science, you are faced with many unknowns or unfamiliar territory that naturally evoke fear. I’ve noticed that there is sometimes a hidden pressure that even the most junior and inexperienced trainees need to always appear more certain and knowledgeable than is the case. So, in addition to the natural fears one has, there is an added pressure to behave with false certainty despite lack of experience. I think this really stunts learning and understanding, and is ultimately bad for patient care.

Advice for incoming students: Be humble, stay curious, maintain a growth mindset, and ask genuine questions if you don’t understand something. Essentially, be willing to be a fool for a bit.

'The kind of doctor I want to be': U of T Medicine grad Chika Oriuwa on becoming an advocate for diversity

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 26 May 2020 22:49:38 +0000

'The kind of doctor I want to be': U of T Medicine grad Chika Oriuwa on becoming an advocate for diversity

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 05/26/2020 - 18:49

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The only Black student in her class four years ago, Chika Oriuwa became an advocate for diversity in her field and is now the Faculty of Medicine's valedictorian (photo by Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Topic

Black Student Application Program

Diversity and Inclusion

When she started medical school at the University of Toronto in 2016, Chika Oriuwa didn’t anticipate becoming valedictorian of the Faculty of Medicine.

“There’s a certain weight that comes along with this title that didn’t really hit me until I fully came to realize and appreciate the gravity of this,” she says. “It’s a big honour and I’m so grateful.”

In her first year of medicine, Oriuwa was the only Black student in her class – a discovery that catapulted her into four years of advocacy, speaking engagements and media attention. “My medical school experience was definitely underscored by my experiences as a woman of colour,” says Oriuwa. “I never thought that when I started medical school, a huge part of my narrative would be wrapped around being an advocate and bringing attention to equity, inclusion and diversity within the curriculum and just within life in general.”

That narrative coincided with change – in 2017, the faculty introduced the Black Student Application Program and the number of Black students in the MD program began to increase, with 14 students in the 2018-2019 academic year and 15 students in 2019-2020. For Oriuwa, meanwhile, there were new opportunities. “It has opened so many doors,” Oriuwa says. “And it made me recognize my passion for advocacy. I've always loved advocacy, but for me, this has made it a lot more concrete and tangible and it showed me the kind of doctor I want to be.”

Yezarni Wynn, Oriuwa’s classmate and a class of 2020 co-president, was thrilled to hear Oriuwa was selected as valedictorian. “I believe our class chose Chika for her tenacious advocacy for inclusion and diversity in medicine – something visibly lacking in our class when it was identified she was the sole Black student in it,” says Wynn. “Chika represents a shift in the way we look at leadership in medicine and I think our class recognizes the overdue need for this change.”

It’s a bittersweet moment for Oriuwa since the COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible for graduating students to walk across the convocation stage together or for Oriuwa to deliver her valedictorian speech live to hundreds of familiar faces, friends and loved ones. She will, however, share a pre-recorded speech with the class during a virtual pre-convocation event on June 2.

“I’m excited and a little bit nervous, but very grateful to do it,” Oriuwa says. “ Unlike any other class, we’re faced with such a terrifying time to start residency. I want my speech to leave them feeling empowered, emboldened and ready to face what’s coming up. We are ready for this. We were made for this.”

Wynn, for one, has little doubt Oriuwa’s pre-recorded speech will leave the class of 2020 moved and inspired. “Chika is well known for her impactful spoken word poetry and I think our class can anticipate an incredibly powerful and thoughtful send-off from her speech,” Wynn says.

And speaking to big crowds is something Oriuwa loves. A writer and poet, Oriuwa says she rediscovered her passion for public speaking in medical school. For International Women’s Day in 2018, Oriuwa delivered a keynote speech at Women’s College Hospital. The organizer of the event told Oriuwa she’s never had such an overwhelming response to a speaker at the hospital. The audience was captivated – there were people sitting on the floor, standing in the aisles and at the back of the auditorium.

It was a pivotal moment for Oriuwa and one she will always remember. “At that moment, I recognized I have the potential to really effect change in this field and in society,” says Oriuwa. “And from that day on, it was a great responsibility that I knew I could never take for granted. I needed to be exceptional. And exceptionally careful and responsible and do my due diligence at every point, at every turn. It was the absolute best experience.”

Being an integral part of the faculty’s Black Student Application Program and Black Medical Student Association (BMSA) was an equally important experience. Oriuwa says her work on these initiatives has been the springboard for the advocacy she’s done over the past four years. “Everything circles back to the fact that I firmly believe we need to integrate and place value on diversity in our medical education and have that reflect in the student body,” she says.

BMSA Co-President Semir Bulle says Oriuwa was pivotal in helping pave the way for other Black medical students to follow in her footsteps at the foundation. “Chika is absolutely amazing,” he says. “From her constant support to her effortless leadership, she sets the bar so high in everything she does.

“I hope she understands how much she means to us being here, and we will make her proud as we take the BMSA to the next level and truly change the face of medicine.”

Mentorship is important to Oriuwa, who says it’s what got her through medical school. “I’ve had some amazing mentors at the Faculty of Medicine – among them, Drs. Onye Nnorom, Lisa Robinson and Pier Bryden,” she says. “They have been instrumental to my success within medicine and advocacy. They’ve taught me so many things about how to be a doctor that I wouldn’t have learned in the classroom and have shaped who I am today – especially when it comes to how I navigate medicine as a Black woman.”

When it comes to mentoring others, Oriuwa explains it’s one of her top priorities. “Everything I do, I do with the spirit of mentorship,” she says. “Whether it’s being a mentor for young Black Canadians or connecting them with mentorship opportunities that will help them excel at whatever it is they choose to do. I believe mentorship is the key that unlocks the doors of opportunity.”

Oriuwa credits Bryden as among the reasons she chose to pursue a residency in psychiatry. Although she was convinced she wanted to be an internist through most of medical school, Oriuwa says she fell in love with psychiatry when she realized it would allow her to combine her passions.

“I’ve never felt more myself than I felt when I was doing my psychiatry rotation,” Oriuwa says. “It was the perfect marriage of medicine and advocacy and who I am outside of medicine. Psychiatric patients are some of the most vulnerable and marginalized in medicine. I've always believed I was called to protect and safeguard society's most marginalized. So, for me, once it clicked, it was a no-brainer.”

Bryden, an associate professor of psychiatry, agrees that psychiatry is the perfect fit for Oriuwa. “Canadian psychiatry needs Chika,” she says. “With her exceptional intelligence and breadth of understanding, her commitment to learning and inquiryand to systems-level leadership, and advocacy for the underserved – she will be a force for greatly needed change in our profession.”

While starting residency in the middle of a pandemic is daunting, Oriuwa believes her classmates are up to the challenge. She describes them as innovators and people who think outside the box.

“That’s been emphasized throughout this pandemic, where I've seen people in my class step up in ingenious and creative ways to support our front-line workers,” says Oriuwa. “They're super creative and brilliant doctors, but they’re also innovators and I think they're game-changers. I'm excited to see what my class will do in the future because I know I’m in the company of people who will certainly change the face of medicine.”

Read about U of T medical students who supported front-line workers on the home front

Read about U of T medical students who collected protective gear for health-care workers

One of the biggest lessons Oriuwa learned in medical school is that physicians are just human beings helping other human beings. “I’m not better than anyone else for doing this work,” she says. “This is simply the work that I believe I should be doing. This is how I want to spend my life – it's an honour and a privilege.”

As for her mentors, they’re confident Oriuwa will continue to do an exemplary job. Patricia Houston, vice-dean of U of T’s MD program, says, “Chika is a gracious, generous and gifted student who has had a significant impact on her fellow students, the faculty, staff and our program. I know she will be a health systems leader as she progresses in her career and I look forward to calling her my colleague.”

Nnorom says she couldn’t be more proud of Oriuwa and all that she’s achieved. “Chika proved that despite the numerous barriers that must be overcome in order to speak truth to power, it is possible to succeed and thrive as a Black woman with full authenticity in the field of medicine,” she says. “This is inspiring to everyone who believes in equity — both young and old. It’s hope. It’s power. It’s beautiful.”

For Oriuwa, medical school is drawing to a close. But she says her passion for advocacy will remain.

“Most of my advocacy is about being able to build up a community of Black doctors and support traditionally underrepresented groups,” she says. “I see what newer generations of Black medical students have – Black classmates – and it’s something I never had. But that makes it worth the journey for me. My dream is that no student will ever be the only Black person in their class. And I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Note: This story was updated on June 3, 2020

Black History Month: Six members of U of T Medicine's community talk about their work, representation

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 15:39:46 +0000

Black History Month: Six members of U of T Medicine's community talk about their work, representation

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 02/21/2020 - 10:39

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Chantal Phillips is an MD student and co-president of the Black Medical Students’ Association at the University of Toronto (all photos by Julia Soudat)

Topic

Women's College Hospital

In honour of Black History Month, the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine is celebrating the many Black members of its community who are making extraordinary contributions to health care, science and their communities.

U of T Medicine writer Julia Soudat spoke to six community members about their work, representation and how they're striving to help others.

Kwasi Nkansah

MD student

Growing up, I was intrigued by stories of astronauts and their high achievements which allotted them space travel – in the same way doctors, through their skills and knowledge, are able to add time to people’s lives. However, I felt that I didn’t have enough role models or mentors in these fields to turn to for inspiration. Simple questions pertaining to the jobs themselves required some serious digging. As a result of making a mental note of this back when I was in Grade 12, and being in a position when I can create change today, I am involved in advocacy for high-school students who want to enter into STEM fields.

My interest in space and medicine hasn’t changed – I am now involved in aerospace medicine research. Specifically, researching the effects that spaceflight microgravity has on the cardiovascular system of astronauts in long duration flight. I have also been involved in non-invasive cardiovascular device development for spaceflight with the European Space Agency. My research has space applications, but also important spin-offs for individuals who are bed-ridden on Earth or may require specialized non-invasive cardiovascular monitoring.

I mentor students to have the confidence to develop the skillset to enter these fields. As a member of the Black Medical Students’ Association (BMSA) at U of T, I am also involved in our Med101 event where we answer questions about medical school that undergraduate students may have, and I play a role in other initiatives addressing the pertinent topic of mental health in the Black community. We advocate for more Black student representation in health care to better represent the population it serves. Many individuals do not enter health-care professions because of a lack of role-models to turn to, and this is something I am passionate about addressing.

Stephanie Lurch

Curriculum Design and Innovation Leader, Department of Physical Therapy, U of T
Physiotherapist and Centre Co-ordinator of Clinical Education, York Region Catholic School Board

I live to shake things up. I’m a change agent and a contemporary educator who resists the traditional and in doing so stimulates critical thinking. I am a storyteller, physiotherapist and academic – in that order. Aiming to bridge the gap between academia and the street, I work across multiple settings in the health care and education sectors. I collaboratively lead and develop curriculum and pedagogical innovations with the Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapy Bridging Program at the University of Toronto, leveraging my M.Ed and BSc PT degrees. I also work as a pediatric physiotherapist with the York Catholic District School Board, am a consultant with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario and am a co-author of the Canadian Physiotherapy Competency Profile 2017.

I’m recognized as a prominent voice in advocating for integrating the arts and social justice into physiotherapy education. I am particularly passionate about diversity and equity issues faced by visible minorities in education and in health care. As the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, I am most proud of my work building bridges with Black and Indigenous high school students in the community through the Summer Mentorship Program, my activism to elevate visible and invisible minorities in the workplace, and my new role as a member of the Diversity Advisory Council for the Faculty of Medicine.

I am currently working on a public speaking series called "Stories in Black, Brown and Red" with Filipino and Indigenous colleagues that will be part of Black History Month at RSI-U of T, and a children's book that will be both an educational tool for adults and a call to action.

Petra Famiyeh

MD student

During my undergraduate education, I always yearned for a community. When I started medical school, I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of community, but I think it’s safe to say that my experience so far has surpassed anything I could have imagined. When I go to BMSA meetings, I don’t shy from sharing my opinions and I feel that my voice is heard. Whenever I have a question or an issue, I know that I have a group of people who understand my experience and who will support me. I would tell others that being a member of groups such as the BMSA is an opportunity to bond with people who may have similar lived experiences, from whom you can draw strength and to whom you can provide support.

I consider myself an advocate for equitable access to recreational sport. For many years, financial barriers stood in the way of my involvement in a sport that I was very passionate about, all-star cheerleading. This experience motivated me to start an active living program at my old elementary school when I was in high school. The goal was to use cheerleading to help the students become physically active, learn teamwork, leadership and self-discipline skills. The program ran for four years and each year I witnessed the students grow in their confidence and take on more leadership roles in their school community. In 2016, the students had an opportunity to showcase their skills by competing with other teams in the province at Canada’s Wonderland. Witnessing the impact of the program reaffirmed to me the importance of access to recreational sports. I am presently trying to find the means through which I can expand this program to the broader community.

Another thing that I’m working on is a research project that focuses on lymphedema, a side effect of cancer treatment. When we think about cancer, we often think of the patient’s fight and rightly so. However, the side effects of cancer treatments, I find, are less talked about. These side effects affect not only the patient’s physical health, but their mental health and quality of life as well. We are investigating the different risk factors for lymphedema because the sooner we can identify who is at risk, the better we can manage the illness. The opportunity to help patients improve their quality of life drives my passion for this research, and I hope that it will lead to better treatments and patient outcomes.

Semir Bulle

MD student
Co-president, Black Medical Students' Association at U of T

I am currently the co-president of the Black Medical Students’ Association, but I don’t think my title is relevant at all to the work we do as a group. The BMSA is a place for anyone who sees the injustices in our society as unacceptable, and part of our duty as future physicians is to get involved to the best of our capabilities.

In the last couple of years, we’ve had a complete transformation of the make-up of our medical school class, going from having only one Black student in the incoming class of 2016 to having 30-plus currently within the first two years of pre-clerkship. This has dramatically changed our ability as the Black Medical Students’ Association to not only impact our peers within the medical field, but has really changed our relationship with the community at large. Additionally, this relationship is what is driving our current mandate.

In my one-and-a-half years of being in medical school we have done more than I can even imagine. We’ve held three Black mental health speaker series events, where we try to break down the barrier between the medical field and the communities they serve by truly discussing the stigmatization and discussing the gaps in our system (with our fourth event next week on Feb. 4). We’ve held two “med school 101” events where we try to expose kids from underprivileged backgrounds, without connections to medicine, to doctors and medical students in an environment that supports long-term growth. We’ve spearheaded the activism on gun violence through the Canadian Doctors for Protection Against Guns and organized national protests against the lack of resources to address the issue within our communities. Finally, we’ve just gotten approval from most of the deans of Canadian medical schools to create the first National Black Medical Students’ Association, which will actively work to create a network of Black medical trainees to fight the isolation they can potentially feel and collaborate in order to build a medical community better suited to the needs of the marginalized. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as we have fully committed ourselves to our community, and this is only a small part of what will be done in the future.

There is a real pressure in medicine to just do any type of advocacy – to put it on your resume, because that’s what we’re told will make our application look better. But I want to tell anyone reading this that the true enjoyment from advocacy comes from really knowing the “why” behind your actions. Everyone’s answer to “why” can be different, but the intrinsic motivation makes everything so much easier. This has allowed me to participate in activities such as: creating a Black Votes Matter event, investing in my Ethiopian community via the Bikila Foundation and creating countless interactions with students who might need mentorship. Advocacy is something that I hope all of us will participate in one way or another, but doing it in a way that is sustainable and truly brings internal happiness is essential to being able to see the long-term change we all hope to see down the line.

Renée Beach

Dermatologist
MD, FRCPC, Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine

I work as a dermatologist in private office and at Women's College Hospital. The greatest thing about dermatology, really, is its visual aspect – if it's on the skin, I have the ability to either diagnose it visually or investigate it further to confirm a diagnosis. In dermatology, things are generally not a matter of "life or death,” but conditions can cause significant physical discomfort and severe emotional stress. To be able to help reverse this for patients and restore their confidence is definitely rewarding. I strive to help patients across skin tones and ethnicities obtain the best possible dermatologic care. There may not always be a fast-working therapy or cure, but I aim to provide patients with information and evidence so that they're empowered to choose their best therapeutic course.

I am involved in advocacy work within the academic realm and the greater community. As part of the Black Physicians' Association of Ontario (BPAO), partnered with the Community of Support (COS), I was the BPAO Outreach Lead the past four years. This position involved organizing and facilitating events for students from Black, Afro-Caribbean and other traditionally under-represented groups to gain an understanding of the academic and extra-curricular preparation required to become a physician. I continue to be involved in its events. It's rewarding to provide some guidance (and maybe even inspiration) to aspiring physicians. In a way, it's like "holding up a mirror” since I was one of those students not that long ago.

Within the greater community, I am part of an initiative through the Canadian Dermatology Association and industry partners that involves visiting shelters in Toronto to provide clients with presentations about common dermatologic conditions, including question and answer sessions. I think it's important that we, as physicians, use our voices when we can – to both inspire and inform others around us. It allows us to communicate skin health to groups of people that can otherwise be overlooked, to empower them and share the message that they have value. That feels good.

Chantal Phillips

MD Student
Co-president, Black Medical Students’ Association at U of T

Currently, I am a youth representative on the Partnership & Accountability Circle (PAC) for the Confronting Anti-Black Racism (CABR) unit. This unit is responsible for creating and implementing the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism for the City of Toronto. As a member of the PAC, I have the privilege of collaborating with the CABR unit, but also the responsibility of ensuring the action-plan objectives are met. As one of my first experiences within politics, I have gained a better understanding of the various ways that change can be made and how important it is to engage community in those conversations. From addressing gentrification to funding for community programs, no problem should be addressed in isolation.

I am the current co-president of the BMSA, alongside Semir Bulle. There is a 20-year legacy of BMSA presidents who have directly and indirectly inspired me, starting in 1999 with Dr. Sean Wharton, and more recently, predecessors such as Chika Oriuwa, Cheyanne Reed and Sofia Quick. As simple as it is, I cannot imagine myself not doing this. I would not trade the joy that I receive from being in community with other Black medical students and allies, and the impactful work that we are blessed to do for pre-medical students in the community. Being able to provide that perspective and foster inclusive spaces within medicine for students here and for those to come is an honour.

I'm also working with MD students Nikisha Khare, Alex Florescu, and Helena Kita in an anti-oppression-in the-curriculum working group. Our goal is to drive tangible change in the curriculum for the safety and care of the patients that we, as students, will be serving in the future. Some of the ways we have proposed to do this is via patient panel representation and compensation, adjustments to class modules and work with OHIP for All.

In addition, my health sciences research project is investigating if and how mistreatment is being experienced by medical students with spiritual and religious affiliations. Hopefully, this work with Dr. Joyce Nyhof-Young from the Office of Assessment and Evaluation will translate into improvements within academic, social and clinical learning environments to increase support for these students and eliminate structures that enable such occurrences.

Why I want to be a doctor: Meet three women in Medicine's Class of '23

noreen.rasbach — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Why I want to be a doctor: Meet three women in Medicine's Class of '23

noreen.rasbach Fri, 08/23/2019 - 00:00

Cutline

"As a future physician, I hope to have an impact on my patients and their communities in multiple ways – from direct medical care to supporting their educational aspirations," says Lina Elfaki, a first-year medical student (all photos by Julia Soudat)

Topic

As a new school year approaches, incoming students from the Faculty of Medicine's Class of 2T3 at the University of Toronto share what inspired them to pursue medicine and how they hope to weave their passions for advocacy into their careers as physicians.

Hifza Buhari

When I was 12 years old, I was living in Sri Lanka. I witnessed first-hand the destruction of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, to which I almost lost my life. I remember seeing a physician jump into action, using his profession and skill to help those who were injured and in life-threatening situations. His medical knowledge, altruism and compassion was the initial spark for me to pursue medicine.

Over the years, I spent many hours volunteering and working in hospitals. Whether it was simply labelling blood collection tubes to help understand how we can prevent Type I diabetes or working alongside surgeons and fellows to learn how we can reduce rejection after transplantation, I found that I was happy being involved in improving health care. Therefore I knew medicine was the right career for me.

I am so excited to spend the next four years discovering different areas of medicine and figuring out what I’m most passionate about. But I know whatever I end up doing, it will be fuelled by my interests in advocacy, health policy and social justice. There are many causes I deeply care about. Volunteering in Sri Lanka during the dengue epidemic made me interested in disease prevention. In Canada, as part of Toronto General Hospital's Multi-Organ Transplant Student Research Training Program, I handed out care packages to vulnerable homeless populations out in the cold. These experiences helped me realize the importance of the social determinants of health. As a physician, I look forward to having a larger platform to implement social change and influence national policies.

Lina Elfaki

I explored the medical field as a trainee at a teaching hospital in my hometown in Sudan during my undergraduate degree. When training in a hospital run under years of U.S. sanctions and political unrest where skilled health care providers were scarce, you end up filling whatever roles are needed. For me, that mostly involved emergency cases. I will never forget the dread I felt when we couldn’t help a 15-year-old boy who was electrocuted because our defibrillator was rusted and broken. I held his grief-stricken mom who went into a panic and fainted. I then went home in utter disbelief that this was their family’s reality.

During my second year of undergrad studies at U of T, I recognized the lack of Black physicians and the health disparities Black individuals experience in Canada. I became determined to get involved in the direct medical treatment and advocacy for vulnerable populations, especially Black Canadians.

As the eldest of four girls, mentorship has become second nature to me, so I initially started advocating for minority youth who are under-represented in STEM fields. During my master’s degree, I started an initiative called Step into STEM to promote access to STEM careers. I am passionate about elevating health-care standards for these populations.

In Toronto and Sudan, I witnessed how structural violence impedes the health-care standards of marginalized communities. As a future physician, I hope to have an impact on my patients and their communities in multiple ways – from direct medical care to supporting their educational aspirations. I am excited to work with colleagues at the Faculty of Medicine and community partners to unravel the various ways we can promote equitable and accessible health care.

Andrea Liu

At a very young age, I became a caregiver for my grandfather, who was battling liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. I accompanied him to many of his visits to the doctor. With each visit, I was able to witness my grandfather's physicians work hard to help him with his battle, helping to extend his life and increase his quality of life.

I was deeply inspired by their ability to help my grandfather and the impact they had on his life and my family, and wanted to be able to replicate this experience for others. Because of this, I became interested in medicine very early on and was fascinated with learning about how the human body works and what goes wrong during disease. I also took every opportunity I could to try to understand my grandfather's illness in the hopes that I could one day help other people going through similar experiences.

I am really into advocating for better accessibility to health care, preventative health and empowering the public with accurate and reliable medical information. I experienced first-hand how important health awareness and timely access to health care are. My grandfather’s liver disease could likely have been prevented if he had the opportunity to receive better health education and access to much-needed care. This not only inspired me to pursue a medical career, but also to join the Canadian Liver Foundation as a volunteer.

I want to make a difference for people by offering them the help and information they need, when they need it.

Meet the woman behind @TheGirlyMD, a U of T med student who shares her experiences on social media

noreen.rasbach — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 20:47:13 +0000

Meet the woman behind @TheGirlyMD, a U of T med student who shares her experiences on social media

noreen.rasbach Thu, 03/07/2019 - 15:47

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"I want to be that source of support for pre-med students who, like me, may not have someone in medicine they can use as a resource," says Courtney Francis (photo by Julia Soudat)

Julia Soudat

Topic

City & Culture

Faculty of Medicine

Undergraduate Students

Second-year medical student Courtney Francis is known to many on social media as @TheGirlyMD. She’s using her rapidly growing platform as an opportunity to connect with others in the medical community, share what it’s like to be a medical student and empower young women to pursue their dreams.

Francis spoke to Faculty of Medicine writer Julia Soudat about what inspired her to publicly share her journey and what she’s learned from her experience.

What made you want to become a doctor?

Ever since I was a little girl, I always said that I wanted to become a doctor. However, it wasn’t until I began volunteering at a local hospital and shadowing physicians that I truly knew that this was the career for me. Of course, I loved to learn and wanted to help people, but it was witnessing the patient-physician relationship that really drew me in. The relationship a physician gets to have with their patients is something so special that you cannot get with any other career. Patients share things with their physicians that no one else may ever know. That kind of encounter is so intimate and unique, and it is a privilege to be a part of.

As much as medicine is a science and requires medical expertise, it is also an art that requires strong interpersonal skills and empathy. I wanted to use my social and emotional intelligence to help comfort and listen to my future patients in order to provide them with the patient-centred medical care they all deserve.

You run an Instagram page called The Girly MD. Can you talk a bit about that? What made you want to run a personal blog on social media?

Yes, I run an Instagram page called The Girly MD (to be), as well as a website and a YouTube channel. The Girly MD (to be) is a platform where I document my journey through medical school, as well as provide guidance and support to pre-med students. I started this account in my first year of medical school after noticing that there was a lack of Canadian presence in the medical blogging world. When I was a pre-med student, I loved learning more about the life of physicians and the pathway to medicine by following various medical bloggers, but they were mainly Americans. When I got into medical school, I wanted to provide that same knowledge, experience and inspiration to pre-med students by sharing my story as a Canadian in medicine.

I am also a first-generation student and my pathway to medicine required a lot of planning ahead and research. I did not know anyone in the medical field whom I could rely on for support, and it took a lot of time and Googling to ensure that I met all the requirements for medical school. I want to be that source of support for pre-med students who, like me, may not have someone in medicine they can use as a resource. I also create informative blog posts and YouTube videos for pre-med students, so they can be successful in their own journey to medical school.

My hope for The Girly MD (to be) is to inspire young women to pursue their goals without being afraid of showing the world who they are. About 80 per cent of my followers are young women, so I share my journey so openly to show these young women that despite being a "pink-loving girly girl," I am still intelligent, determined, and hard-working. Those two worlds can co-exist and are not mutually exclusive. Being “feminine” should not deter women from pursuing male-dominated careers. I want to inspire young women to be proud of who they are and help motivate them to achieve their goals.

In general, I also think it is so important for young people to know that being a doctor does not require you to fit into a certain mould. You can be who you are, you can do the things you love, and you can still be a successful physician. That is the message I am trying to send.

What has been the most valuable aspect of running your social media platforms?

One of the most valuable aspects of running my social media platforms is connecting with other women in medicine. Although I run my account to encourage young women to pursue their goals and to help provide guidance to pre-med students, I also follow the journeys of various other women in the field, including medical students, residents, physicians, PAs, and nurses. I’ve watched these women provide insight on how they maintain their relationship/marriage, how they balance work and motherhood, and how they dealt with stigma associated with being a woman in medicine.

Together, we all have formed this supportive family on social media where we all uplift one another. In fact, I have actually connected with a few of these women in person and now consider them my friends.

Do you plan to continue growing your channels when you’re done your studies and move on to being a practicing physician?

Yes. That is exactly what I plan on doing. I want this platform to document my entire journey through medical school, residency and as a practicing physician. I want to show people what life as a medical professional is like and how I manage the other aspects of my life with a busy career. I also would like to use my social media accounts as a platform to educate patients on their own health. That way, it is easily accessible and they know the information is coming from a credible source.

What advice would you give to other medical students who may be thinking about venturing into the medical/science blogging world?

Go for it. It is an amazing way to connect with others in the field, document your journey, and show others what life as a medical student is like. It is also a great creative outlet and an amazing way to express yourself.

My main piece of advice is to only start something like this because it is something that you are passionate about and will enjoy doing. It takes up a lot of your time, especially if you are posting daily. Additionally, creating genuine content that your followers want to engage with takes a lot of thought, planning, and creativity.

How has your experience of being a medical student been so far?

My experience has been amazing so far. I absolutely love the MD program and could not be happier with my choice to attend the University of Toronto. The Foundations Curriculum and class schedule involve a lot of independent and small group learning, which allows students to have more free time for extracurriculars and self-care. I also love how everything we learn in a given week is related to the block we are in. For example, when we were in our cardiology block, our lectures, anatomy lab, CBL, and clinical skills sessions all involved the cardiac system. It is very helpful and makes learning easier. Aside from academics, I also really love living in Toronto. The city is incredibly diverse and full of excitement, so there is always something to see or somewhere new to explore.

Do you know what specialty you’d like to get into?

I do not know exactly what specialty I want to pursue as of now, but I am really interested in women's health and sexual medicine. Right now, I am exploring the different ways I can pursue those interests and trying to discover which path best aligns with my values and goals.

Any words of wisdom for incoming students?

First of all, you should be incredibly proud of yourself because making it here is a huge accomplishment. Please enjoy the journey and savour your preclerkship years – they go by fast. Take time to travel, explore the city, spend time with your friends and family and do the things you love. You will not regret it. Always remember that perfection does not exist and that making mistakes is a part of the process. Finally, if you are ever feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, take a moment to remember why you started this journey and don’t ever feel ashamed to seek help if you need it.

Black History Month: What's your advice for the next generation in the Faculty of Medicine?

davidlee1 — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 17:36:52 +0000

Black History Month: What's your advice for the next generation in the Faculty of Medicine?

davidlee1 Wed, 02/13/2019 - 12:36

Cutline

Don't be afraid to reach out, advises Ikran Ali, a master's of science candidate in the Institute of Medical Science at U of T (all photos by Julia Soudat)

Topic

Institute of Medical Science

Speech Language Pathology

For Black History Month, the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine asked members of its community to share their advice for the next generation of Black students who are interested in clinical or research careers.

Here's what they said.

Josiah Osagie

Josiah Osagie is a fourth-year student in the MD Program.

The first and most important thing is to recognize the validity of your desire to become something in this world. You must have noticed by now that not many people in your classes – students and professors – look like you. Do not let this dissuade you. Connect with students who are like-minded and as driven as you are. It is vital to surround yourself with people that push you to be better. Take advantage of the resources available to you, for they are abundant.

It is essential to engage authentically with the community around you: join a student association, volunteer at a library, advocate for something you care about. Don't do so simply for your CV or medical school application – although these are important – but because connecting with community enriches you. It gives value to your life and purpose to your work.

Finally, be bold. You are capable, intelligent and industrious. Go forth and show it to the world.

Diandra Benjamin

Diandra Benjamin is a Master of Health Science candidate in the department of speech-language pathology.

Growing up in the Caribbean, I observed that a career in health care typically translated to the traditional careers of “nurse” or “doctor” – rewarding professions in and of themselves. As I began to consider a career in health care, I ran the risk of being pigeon-holed. Through the years, I have come to know the incredible range of health-care careers that tap into various personalities, interests, and client populations. I encourage those considering health care as a career option to venture into the unknown!

How? The value of networking cannot be understated. Networking is an opportunity to build connections with professionals in your field and tap into opportunities that are simply amiss in the classroom. One of the additional benefits of networking is finding a mentor: someone that has stood in your shoes and can offer support to help you scale the ladder to success.

In my experience, I have also observed that Black students in health fields are sorely underrepresented. Truth be told, you may find yourself to be the only one that looks like you. At its surface, this can be an unsettling reality. However, be assured that your presence is of value; your voice is of value. Diversity fosters open dialogue between people of many different backgrounds to yield enriching educational experiences.

I will always remember the moment a little girl at my clinical placement beamed and said, “you have the same skin as me!” To this day, I cannot fully appreciate what the simple observation meant to her, but I can appreciate that my presence was meaningful – and that I will always treasure.

Ikran Ali

Ikran Ali is a master's of science candidate in the Institute of Medical Science.

Seek out research opportunities (research positions, scholarships, grants, funding) as soon as you can. Don’t be afraid to reach out to professors, mentors and other students for advice or guidance. People are usually willing to help – a simple email can take you a long way. Also, don’t be too shy to follow up. Sometimes people are busy and forget to get back to you or they missed your email.

Make sure you volunteer and join committees to meet other people and learn about events or programs that can help you excel in your career.

Tarimobo Otobo

Tarimobo Otobo is a master's of science candidate in the Institue of Medical Science.

Fundamentally, you will have to love your choice. Challenges are unavoidable in any chosen career and at difficult times, your passion will be the source of resilience. Your personal interest and desire expertise because of your interest and passion for inquiry and ingenuity to add to the body of knowledge.

All facets of medical sciences are important and complementary. A successful career will be dependent on how successful you become in your chosen area of expertise because of your interest and passion for inquiry and ingenuity to add to the body of knowledge.

Most important – and perhaps often neglected – is the leadership and mentorship you receive. In my career experience, I have seen promising dreams being threatened by challenging mentorship and leadership, and unpropitious personalities excelling in their career because of good mentorship and leadership. Therefore, I can’t emphasize enough the need to identify a mentor early on as a role model and explore possibilities of mutual benefits and compatibility.

Finally, hard work makes geniuses. A guided effort with diligence will result in a successful career.

Telisha Smith-Gorvie

Telisha Smith-Gorview is an emergency medicine physician in the University Health Network and an assistant professor in the department of medicine.

Believe in yourself.

There is a false perception in some parts of society that Black students are less able or less capable, so believe that you also have the ability to succeed. Ask lots of questions, reach out to groups like Community of Support.

It'll take hard work – and then some harder work – but if pursuing a career in medicine and/or research interests you, go for it and see where it takes you!

Lina Elfaki

Lina Elfaki is a master's of science candidate in the Institute of Medical Science.

One piece of advice I wish I knew earlier in my studies is to be wary of other people’s advice! Yes, seriously! Often, you may be one of a few Black/minority students in your course, lab or even program, so others may not sufficiently appreciate your experiences or struggles. Thus, their advice may be irrelevant to you and you need to take it with a grain of salt.

Instead, find supportive mentors and allies who you trust in your field(s) of interest who can offer constructive criticism. Personally, I have often been deterred by friends or supervisors who underestimated my perseverance. However, through my undergraduate studies, I learned to appreciate my unique strengths and how my privilege to attend an elite institution like U of T requires me to create inclusive spaces for other minority students.

Therefore, when looking for a research supervisor for my graduate studies at the Institute of Medical Science, I made sure to choose a supervisor that not only cultivates my research advancements, but also encourages my personal career progress. Thankfully, Dr. Howard Leong-Poi has incredibly supported me, both academically and personally.

Aisha Lofters

Aisha Lofters is an assistant professor and clinician scientist, in the department of family and community medicine. She is also a provincial primary care lead for the cancer screening portfolio at Cancer Care Ontario.

Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn. A lot of research is about convincing others how good you are. Convincing them that your idea should be funded, that your salary should be funded, that you should be hired for this position. Often, we are taught that we must be humble, or we don’t have the same supports as others do reinforcing how successful we have been.

But this is the time to celebrate your accomplishments. Be confident, tell them why YOU are the best one for the role, why YOUR idea is the best one for the funding opportunity. Don’t sell yourself short; others might so you can’t afford to!

Why I chose this career path: Meet three women graduating from the Faculty of Medicine this fall

lanthierj — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 19:51:55 +0000

Why I chose this career path: Meet three women graduating from the Faculty of Medicine this fall

lanthierj Fri, 11/02/2018 - 15:51

Cutline

"I decided to pursue occupational therapy because compassion was evident in the client-centred practice of the profession," says Tsering Wangmo, who is graduating this fall (all photos by Julia Soudat)

Topic

A woman whose chronic pain led her to study occupational therapy. A speech pathologist whose quest for answers prompted her to pursue a PhD in rehabilitation sciences. And a woman drawn to occupational therapy because of its compassion.

Meet three women who are members of the Faculty of Medicine's Class of 2018, graduating this fall. They explain why they chose to enter their fields.

Lauren Stacey: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

"I became interested in occupational therapy because of my personal experience living with chronic pain. In my second year of undergraduate studies, I was not able to function properly due to pain. I saw a lot of health-care professionals, but no one was able to help me as well as an occupational therapist, who made it possible for me to attend classes, engage in extra-curriculars and advocate for myself at school.

"After this experience, I did some research and learned that occupational therapists can work in such a multitude of areas and capacities that this profession would open many doors for my career. Because of my undergraduate degree in global development, I was also looking for a profession that could blend well with my undergraduate training. As an occupational therapist, I’d be well-suited to engage in advocacy and make meaningful changes in health care, and that attracted me to the field."

Teresa Valenzano: PhD from Rehabilitation Sciences Institute

“As a practising speech-language pathologist, I found myself frequently asking, 'Why?' – looking for answers to clinically relevant questions and often finding the evidence was lacking. As I strived to inform and improve my own clinical practice, I became more and more interested in trying to answer those questions. A doctorate in the rehabilitation sciences provided me with that opportunity, allowing for collaboration between different researchers and health disciplines to tackle a current gap in knowledge.

“I am specifically interested in swallowing physiology in individuals with various neurological disorders, with a focus on understanding how function is impaired as a result of a neurological disorder and how this may relate to perceived quality of life.

“For most individuals, food lies centrally at everything we do – grabbing a coffee with a friend to catch up, hosting a holiday dinner and having cake to celebrate your birthday. It’s not something we think a lot about when we do it, but when the ability to eat safely becomes compromised, it could rock the foundation of most of our social interactions.

“Changes in neurological function can often lead to changes in swallowing safety, but how this changes depends on the type of disorder and the interaction of various different physiological systems and the effect on quality of life is specific to each individual.”

Read more about Teresa Valenzano

Tsering Wangmo: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

“As a Tibetan Canadian, I was raised to strive for compassion by developing genuine sympathy for the suffering of others and the will to help remove their pain. I decided to pursue occupational therapy because compassion was evident in the client-centred practice of the profession. Occupational therapists engage with clients with the intention of understanding and addressing their individual needs, and it all comes from a place of empathy and the desire to help. I strongly believe that occupational therapists embody the true essence of compassion.”

Read more about Tsering Wangmo

Why I want to be a doctor: Meet five women in Medicine's Class of 22

noreen.rasbach — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 12:21:14 +0000

Why I want to be a doctor: Meet five women in Medicine's Class of 22

noreen.rasbach Tue, 08/28/2018 - 08:21

Cutline

First-year students in the Faculty of Medicine take part in orientation activities (all photos by Julia Soudat)

Topic

Some were influenced by their experiences with ill family members. Others were inspired while working in health care.

Meet five women who chose to pursue a medical degree at the University of Toronto – and are now members of the Class of 22.

Mahsa Rahmany Rad

When I was 10 years old, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I would spend my nights reading medical articles, trying to understand every word written about the disease.

Being so young, no matter how much I read, I still could not wrap my mind around my mother’s disease. I had no understanding of or appreciation for medical research until I realized it could save my mother's life. My commitment to learning the human body and treatments for breast cancer was what I thought could help save my mother's life. Soon, I realized I enjoyed drowning in the never-ending medical articles and research even after my mother was cured.

Muskaan Sachdeva

There wasn’t a single defining event in my life that made me decide to pursue a career in medicine. It was a gradual progression from living in rural India to exploring my interest in science throughout university.

I grew up in an underserved community in India, where I witnessed the limitations of not having an established health-care system in my community, waiting for months to see a doctor and travelling long distances with family to visit urban hospitals for basic health-care needs. I remember my grandparents often discussing if their health condition was “serious enough” to travel that far.

I moved to Kuwait, then Canada – first to Hamilton and then to Thunder Bay. The advanced and easily accessible health-care systems in Kuwait and Hamilton were a complete contrast to that of rural India and Thunder Bay. Recognizing these disparities, I aspire to work in small communities.

Hira Raheel

Having a sister with special needs, visits to the doctors were all too common. Those visits exposed me to both good and bad experiences with physicians.

I realized early on that a good health-care provider can make the most difficult situation easier to manage for the patient and their family. To this day, my family remembers all the exceptional doctors who treated my sister. I knew I wanted be a doctor who could make a lasting impact on the lives of my patients.

Cindy Kang

I don’t think it was an “aha!" moment for me, but rather a combination of didactic, hands-on, and observational experiences in the sciences, patient care and clinical settings. Since undergrad, I’ve always been interested in human physiology, cell biology and psychology. These disciplines led me to develop an appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the human body and mind. What was even more interesting to me was how we can apply these subjects from the bench to bedside, so I volunteered at various hospitals to experience patient care first-hand, and I loved it.

I pursued medical research and shadowing opportunities – I really wanted exposure to all aspects of medicine. I became a research assistant at various hospitals throughout Toronto and shadowed a cardiovascular surgeon at Toronto General Hospital who showed me what it's really like being a doctor and how rewarding the profession is. That's when I finally knew that it was right for me.

Sahar Zarabi

It was during undergrad that I realized how truly rewarding medicine is. As part of our undergrad curriculum, we enrolled in project courses and mine was in emergency medicine. I started my course with very little knowledge of medicine, but this changed quickly. I regularly went to the ward to talk to patients, their families and the health-care team. Many patients were acutely ill, and having the privilege of talking to them and helping them in their most vulnerable state was truly rewarding.

One memorable experience was when a doctor was trying to put braces on the hand of an older woman with a broken wrist. She was in a great deal of pain and I watched how kind, gentle and thoughtful the doctor was in easing the patient’s emotional and physical distress. Moments like these inspired me to pursue medicine.

Behind the scenes at Rio: meet the U of T physiotherapist helping Team Canada at the Olympics

lanthierj — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 12:53:11 +0000

Behind the scenes at Rio: meet the U of T physiotherapist helping Team Canada at the Olympics

lanthierj Thu, 08/04/2016 - 08:53

Julia Soudat

Author legacy

Julia Soudat

Topic

As the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, Brazil kicks off this week, U of T's Dinah Hampson will be there with Team Canada as part of their Health Sciences Team.

Faculty of Medicine writer Julia Soudat spoke with her about sport physio, potential challenges in Rio and the excitement inside the Athletes' Village. And about how someone who “detested biomechanics” as a student, found her calling as a department of physical therapy lecturer and sport physiotherapist

What will you be doing in your role on the Health Sciences Team for Team Canada?

I will be providing physiotherapy services to athletes and Canadian team members in Tae Kwon Do, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and fencing. Along with this, my role is to do what needs doing — sometimes this means unloading buses, moving furniture or even folding socks. A Canadian Olympic clinic will be set up, where I will be spending my time when I’m not at specific sport venues.

What is your area of research and work in physical therapy?

My clinical practice is based out of a multidisciplinary clinic in Toronto and is orthopaedic in nature. I see a lot of youth athletes, dancers and artistic performers. I’m most interested in foot and ankle mechanics. This is always entertaining to me because I detested biomechanics at U of T. However, I loved anatomy and with professional maturity and education, I realized that it’s the specific joint mechanics that I really love to examine. The anatomical relationship of the bones and soft tissues become exciting when you look at what they have to do to create functional movement resulting in a performance skill. Watching sports with me can be a little annoying because I tend to comment on alignment and movement pattern as well as cheering on the athletes.

What got you interested in sports/sports physio? Are you an athlete yourself?

Truth be told, I stunk at all sports growing up. I loved ballet and thought I would be a ballerina so all my time was spent with my legs in external rotation. This made running sports difficult and being five feet three inches tall knocked me out of most vertically challenging sports. I did have a short interlude in springboard diving which fit well with my physical facility — I just had to learn how to land on my head! At some point I decided that science won over sports and I went to university, where physio seemed to be a good fit.

I remember vividly walking into a Sport Physio class at U of T and listening to a young, energetic professor talk about the role of physio in sport, her stories and personal experience. I was so inspired that I began telling people I’d decided to go to the Olympics. I’m pretty sure they all thought I was crazy but I still get goosebumps when I tell this story and I will probably shake my head a few times in Rio when I realize I’ve actually made my dream a reality.

How did you get involved in the Olympics?

My first significant involvement with the Canadian Olympic team happened in 2010 when I interviewed for a position for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010. I was offered a spot on the Health and Science team. By this time, I had been involved in sport physio for 15 years, done endless local, provincial, national events, international single sport events and the 2008 Paralympic games in Beijing. Although I was part of a medical team of three for 62 athletes and 30 staff, we managed everything and what we experienced was truly special.

What are you looking most forward to when it comes to the Olympics?

It’s an indescribable moment when an athlete has a successful event, the Canadian flag is raised and the Canadian national anthem is played. So that is a given. However, in between those successes, I really look forward to eating in the Athlete’s Village dining hall. The dining hall is in the inner workings of Olympic life, away from media and competition. It is 10,000 athletes from around the world, sitting and enjoying a meal at the same time in the same place. You can look around and see uniforms from all over the world — people of every race, religion, and culture come together to share in the joy of sport. I can’t think of many things that match this on the “cool” factor list.

What’s your favourite Olympic sport?

I’m not sure I have a favourite Olympic sport. It may sound trite but all the sports are exciting and the passion of the athletes is intoxicating. If I could go see anything, I’d love to watch tennis. There’s something about one-on-one competition at the bottom of a sweltering bowl filled with hushed excitement that I find exhilarating. Being a sport physiotherapist means there’s a lot of volunteer time spent on the side of a field, gym, court or rink — which often means having the best seat in the house!