Dear MD to Be

Tune into today's podcast with Dr. Danyaal Raza, a Family Physician at the St. Michael's Hospital Unity Health Network. Dr. Raza's commitment to health equity has been longstanding as past Chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare, founding physician lead of St. Michael's Sumac Creek Health Centre in Toronto's Regent Park, a member of the Decent Work & Health Network, Broadbent Institute Public Policy Fellow and most recently, the current Faculty Lead in Social Accountability at UofT. Tune in to hear Dr. Raza share his raw and candid journey into Family Medicine along with the exciting advocacy projects he has lined up.

Tune into today's podcast with Gian Agtarap, a medical student at the University of Toronto. Gian is a member and leader within the Filipino community who has spearheaded the development of Filipino Association of Medical Students, a group of pre-med and medical students across Ontario based at the University of Toronto, that hopes to address inequity and underrepresentation in medicine as it applies to the Filipino community. Hear Gian share with us the journey into medicine and the challenges and successes around his advocacy work. The wisdom he has shared with our Dear MD to Be community is a gift and we invite you to listen and learn.

Tune into today's podcast with Dr. Ryan Giroux, a Paediatrics resident at Sick Kids hospital and the president of the Professional Association of Residents of Ontario (PARO). As an Indigenous resident physician, Dr. Giroux shares with us his journey to medicine after growing up in a rural town in Alberta. Dr. Giroux also makes space to discuss the complexities of caring for Indigenous children especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated systemic inequities. Tune into this episode to hear about Dr. Giroux's expertise and thoughts about advocacy and safety for our Indigenous community members as well his sincere reflections for Indigenous health learners. The wisdom he has shared with our Dear MD to Be community is a gift and we invite you to listen and learn.

Tune in to today’s podcast with Dr. Julia Buthmann, a family medicine resident in Ottawa who is going to pursue an oncology fellowship this upcoming fall. She shares with us some of the challenges she experienced as a newcomer to Canada at the age of 16 with no English fluency. She teaches us to reframe hardship as an opportunity to learn more about ourselves, and to use our experiences to deliver quality patient care. While Dr. Buthmann shares beautiful messages that are meaningful for everyone, her words will particularly resonate for those who have arrived at medicine from a non traditional or as she put it, a non linear path. Dr. Buthmann is authentic and vulnerable in this conversation and we are grateful for her reflections. The wisdom she shared with our Dear MD to Be community is a gift, and we invite you to listen and learn.

Tune into today’s podcast with Dr. Tarek Abdelhalim, a general internist at Toronto Western Hospital, and an award winning mentor at the University of Toronto. He shares with us how delivering care during a pandemic has exacerbated some of the challenges that marginalized populations experience. Listen to find out how Dr. Abdelhalim  invites us as learners to reframe our outlook during this pandemic.

Tune into today’s podcast with Dr. Allan Peterkin, a psychiatrist with a sheer love for health, arts and humanities. He gives us insight into how medicine, at its core, is about story-telling. He invites us to be authentic in medicine and discusses using intentioned reflection as a way to achieve renewal. We are so grateful for his wisdom. The experiences and lessons Dr. Peterkin shared with our Dear MD to Be community is a gift, and we invite you to listen and learn.

Tune into today’s podcast with Dr. Mojola Omole, a general surgeon and surgical oncologist with the utmost compassion for her patients. She shares her global approach to medicine after time spent in Rwanda, and her perspectives on making medicine a safer space. This is a rather touching conversation where Dr. Omole opens up about finding her true self amidst medicine. We are so grateful for her authenticity, strength, and candor. The experiences and lessons Dr. Omole shared with our Dear MD to Be community is a gift, and we invite you to listen and learn.

 Tune in to today’s podcast with Dr. Saadia Sediqzadah, a newly graduated Psychiatrist at the University of Toronto. As the proud daughter of Afghan refugees and a first generation medical student, she describes how her personal origins and these experiences helped her become a strong advocate for diversity and representation with utmost conviction. Listen in to hear her discuss her exciting plans for the future in fostering equity and diversity & why she won’t back down from that promise.

Tune in to today’s podcast with Dr. Chika Oriuwa, an incoming Psychiatry resident at the University of Toronto. We discussed her incredibly journey as the only Black medical student in her medical school cohort and how this acted as the impetus for her subsequent advocacy. We also spoke about the Black Student Application Program, her experiences as a Black woman in medicine and her current advocacy projects. Listen in now to hear her empowering words of advice & support for current and aspiring medical students, highlighting that we truly are all in this together. 

Tune into today's podcast with Dr. Arnav Agarwal, an Internal Medicine Resident at the University of Toronto. We discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and its undeniable worldwide impacts. Dr. Agarwal also gave us the scoop on what life on the wards looks like currently and detailed how medical students can contribute and what this pandemic may mean for our personal wellness and wellbeing as we all adjust to this new reality. Listen in now to hear his compelling words of advice and support, highlighting that we truly are all in this together.

Tune into today's podcast with Dr Vaibhav Gupta, a General Surgery resident at the University of Toronto. We discussed his incredible journey as an International Medical Graduate having completed medical school in England. We also discussed his many hats as a mentor, medical education enthusiast, and PhD candidate. Listen in now to hear his amazing words of advice for current medical students, reminding us all that a helping hand is always nearby. 

Tune into today’s podcast with Dr. Ross, a staff psychiatrist working at Women's College Hospital in the trauma therapy program. Having been exposed to medicine at an early age from her grandmother, who was a traditional healer, and her father, who was also a psychiatrist, she fosters a strong interest in trauma, education and psychotherapy. Listen in to hear our interesting conversation about her unique footprint in medicine and trauma based care.

Tune into todays podcast to hear us speak with Dr Banerji about her work with COSTI, her research in the Arctic, and her continued advocacy for Indigenous and refugee populations. She also redefines what it means to be a medical student from a diverse background and proves that true perseverance can take you anywhere.

Tune in to today's podcast with Dr. Yonah Krakokwsy, a urologist at Women's College Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital. We discuss his unique spin on what it means to be in a surgical specialty today and how he uses his expertise to support the transgender community. He also spoke to us about navigating religion in his career and shared some words of advice for today’s budding doctors of minority faiths.

Tune in to today’s podcast to hear us speak to Dr. Stephanie Zhou, a Family Medicine Resident at the University of Toronto. In our conversation with her, we got to hear her candid and real thoughts about her medical school journey and why discussions about social class & equity for every medical student are imperative to have. We also discussed the importance of financial literacy and her unique ways to encourage the medical community to learn more about this through social media. Get ready, social class is now in session.  

Tune in to today’s podcast to hear us speak to Dr. Ahmad about the challenges faced as a woman physician, her continued advocacy for transgender care, and her journey into medicine from more humble beginnings. She spoke about the importance of socioeconomic status for both current and prospective medical students and what this past year’s OSAP changes mean for students.

Tune in to today’s podcast to hear us speak to Dr. Church about her unique journey in medicine, her experiences as a physician with a disability and how we should all rethink how we view disability. Prepare to redefine your own limits and abilities. 

Tune in to today’s podcast to hear us speak to Dr. Nnorom about her views as racism as a social determinant of health, her work with the Black community as a clinician and a researcher, and her collaborative efforts with medical students and faculty. We also spoke about her journey through medical school and her current role as the Black Health Theme Lead at the University of Toronto.