Blog Posts - H.E.A.L.

Dr. Haykal

10/21/2016

“I’m a mom, a family physician, and an assistant-dean. I have three children: 10, 5, and 1. It’s always a challenge to balance everything in medicine. There is always a lot of work. You find now that you are busy in medical school and have a lot to do, but as you move on, the same amount of work continues. You have to learn to ask for help. To balance a career, a family life, and a personal life, you have to be able to accept help from your spouse and your family members. I am very lucky to have a supporting husband and family!”

Child Psychiatrist

10/12/2016

"I’m a child and adolescent psychiatrist. I’ve raised five children who were very active. But they were also very helpful. I balanced by being close to the hospital and by being close to their school. I used to practice down the hill from their school. They would come and have lunch with me and sometimes even clean up my office. My partner has also been very supportive of the things I do. I think that’s essential in medicine. One of things that’s difficult to realize as a medical student, and I don’t know to what degree that’s changed, is that they don’t necessarily say to you what’s the most important part of this. You end up having lots of details in your head that aren't necessarily useful. Which of this anatomy do I really need to know? Are all the layers of the retina really going to be critical for me in the future?”

Mother of two MD2020 Students

10/4/2016

"I hope they bring back my dishes when they come home."

Pediatric Palliative Care Nurse

9/30/2016

"The moments that I remember the most are when a family experiences a loss. You couldn’t make up those moments. Even if someone tried to write a story about that stuff, you would say that’s not real. That stuff doesn’t happen in real life. People come in looking well and put together and then you ask them how they are doing and they will break down. So if I can do something that make their life a little bit easier, I will do it. It’s not a big deal. If you can do something, do it. Instead of saying ‘that’s not my job.’ You don’t know what they are going through. There’s always more going on then you know." (2/2)

Pediatric Palliative Care Nurse

Pediatric Palliative Care Nurse

9/28/2016

"I don’t like telling people where I work because people tell me all the time: ‘I don’t know how you can do your job.’ But you start to appreciate everything so much more. I love my job. You get to know what the family has gone through, and then you see the families, and if you did not know their stories, you would have no idea. That’s the amazing part about my job. You know their stories. And from that, you really become appreciative of what you have. I am so lucky to have all the things in my life." (1/2)

Pediatric Palliative Care Nurse

Dr. Dy & Dr. Su

9/27/2016

Q: Why did you decide to lead a mentorship group?

"We were in the same mentorship group when we were in medical school. That's how we met."

Stefan and Zacch

9/19/2016

"We wanted to have the opportunity to share with our classmates our love of music and laughter. So we designed this musical sketch to entertain everyone. Additionally, as this was our first week at uOttawa, we wanted to be social and go out to have the chance to meet people.

Music is and has been a very important part of our lives - we have multiple instruments in our house and there’s always some sort of background music playing. We want to be able to keep up the ability to enjoy and play music despite the heavy load in medical school."

Usman Kahn, MD2019, Blog Photographer

Eric Bhatti

9/16/2016

"I was inspired to perform at the coffeehouse because I wanted to share a piece of my culture with everyone while entertaining them with my performance. I take great joy in dancing and performing as it fills me with so much life and energy. I wanted to share this same energy with everyone in the hope that my peers might want to learn the dance and also experience this same feeling.

I don't want to lose the joy I find in connecting with people and creating various relationships. I love to meet people, and I find that I'm very happy when I'm interacting with friends and doing activities with them. However, I tend to withdraw when I'm anxious or stressed during school. I hope I don't do this to a great extent to the point that I lose my support system and lose my joy of creating relationships with people."

Usman Khan, MD2019, Blog Photographer

Aleena Elizabeth Fiorotto

9/13/2016

"For more than ten years I have been singing and song writing, but I have never had the confidence to actually play for other people. I decided that it was time to push myself outside of my comfort zone and try something new. My grandmother has been a huge supporter of my music and played a large role in encouraging me to perform at this event.

Although medical school requires a large time commitment, I know that I will continue to make time for music, nature hikes and of course, friends and family. All of these things are a large part of who I am and I recognize the importance of maintaining important relationships and hobbies as I progress through medical school."

Usman Kahn, MD2019, Blog Photographer

Julie El-Haddad

5/19/2016

"I decided to shave my hair for Childhood Cancer Canada because this symbolic act of solidarity allowed me to fundraise money and advocate for health."

Made possible by UOttawa's Smiling Over Sickness
Usman Kahn, MD2019, Blog Photographe

Itai Malkin

5/17/2016

"Cancer is something inevitable that we really can't always predict or expect. When someone gets it, there is a sense of hopelessness. The chance that it can happen to someone I care about is there, and I couldn't find a reason for me to not fundraise and raise awareness for new research and clinical trials. One day it may benefit me too!"

Made possible by UOttawa's Smiling Over Sickness
Usman Kahn, MD2019, Blog Photographer

Melissa Govindaraju

5/12/2016

"There have only been a few instances in my life when my hair hasn't been past my shoulders. I have always cherished having long hair and never thought I would be comfortable letting it go. However, when I heard about Shave for the Cure earlier this year, I was drawn to the cause. Growing up, I had known close friends and their family members who had cancer. I remember their stories: how the diagnosis affected both themselves and their families, the gruelling treatments, and the eventual loss of hair. So when I heard about this event, I thought back to their experiences and felt it was a great way to show my support and raise funds for cancer research. While initially hesitant to let go of my long hair, cutting it proved to be an amazing experience. I do hope that the eventual wig will bring some joy to a child with cancer and that the funds raised will help lead us to better treatment."

Made possible by UOttawa's Smiling Over Sickness
Usman Kahn, MD2019, Blog Photographer

Chelsea Soares

5/10/2016

"I shaved my head for all those girls out there who struggle with their self-image because of their hair. Maybe they are going through chemotherapy and have no hair, or possibly have an autoimmune condition like alopecia that causes them to lose their hair. Women and young girls in the media are usually seen as having long beautiful hair. Think about the Disney Princesses. They all have had long, flowing, perfect hair at some point in their story. Now, I am by no means a role model for cutting my hair but I just want girls and women to know that they are beautiful no matter what. Their hair does not equal their beauty. I had a condition a few years ago that caused me to lose half the hair on my head. Since my hair was so thick, no one could tell this was happening other than my family who realized I had clogged the shower drain a few too many times. The feeling of having my hair fall out was slightly terrifying because I had no idea when it was going to stop and when it would begin to grow back. I learned that I should not be ashamed or worried about what others think about my hair. This experience was one of the reasons why I signed up to shave my head to raise money for Childhood Cancer Canada. After shaving my head I feel like people can actually see me instead of the obnoxious amount of hair I had surrounding my head. Now that my hair is gone, getting ready in the morning is a thousand times easier. Showers are shorter, I don’t have to fuss with bobby pins or hair elastics, and bad hair days do not currently exist for me. Shaving your head is an amazing experience that leaves you feeling like a badass on the cutting edge of fashion, and I believe everyone should try it once in their life."

Made possible by UOttawa's Smiling Over Sickness
Usman Kahn, MD2019, Blog Photographer

Claire Lee

5/6/2016

"In the field of medicine, it seems that time is always in short supply. However, I continue to make time for music in the here and now, with the view that I will only become even busier in the future. Music provides me with the catharsis and rejuvenation I need when I begin to feel the weight of weeks of hard work and lost sleep. Only when I have replenished my own spirit and energy do I find that I have more to give. Music is my medicine."

Itai Malkin (Playing "Dumbledean" in Medshow 2016)

4/29/2016

The University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine MD 2019 Class Presents:
Harry Potter and the Physician's Stone / Harry Potter à l'école des médecins

Tickets can be purchased here
All proceeds in support of the 2019 class charity, Pancreatic Cancer Purple Team

"My name is Itai Malkin, a student in the MD 2019 class. I heard about the annual show every class produces from day one, and I knew I would want to be a part of it to make it the best possible. When planning came around, I gravitated towards helping to write the script. I've taken drama courses in high school and have some practice doing things like this, and one or two people say I am sometimes funny. I enjoyed writing the first few scenes, and one thing led to another and I ended up in the audition room. Now I am acting as Dumbledean. I love Harry Potter and this play really touches on the transitions and struggles that I, and every other student, have faced this year. Our class is so talented it's kind of hard to believe...Until you see it!"

Anastasiya Muntyanu (Co-Choreographer of Medshow 2016)

4/28/2016

The University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine MD 2019 Class Presents:
Harry Potter and the Physician's Stone / Harry Potter à l'école des médecins

Tickets can be purchased here
All proceeds in support of the 2019 class charity, Pancreatic Cancer Purple Team

"My name is Anastasiya and I am thrilled to be taking part in MedShow 2016. I have been a competitive rhythmic gymnast for many years but have never previously performed on the theater stage. Since retiring from rhythmic gymnastics, I didn’t really have a chance to perform all the way until MedGames this year. That’s when I realized how much I truly missed performing. There is so much excitement that comes with being in front of a large audience, trying to do your absolute best, and avoiding any mistakes. Performing is an out of body experience where you forget about everything around you and only focus on you and the music. There is nothing comparable to that feeling and I am so excited to be able to participate in MedShow, and for the first time perform on the stage instead of the carpet.

I am the choreographer for the show (with my partner in crime Sarah), and this experience has been amazing! I love using my gymnastics past to come up with dance moves and create a dance piece which combines many different dance styles.

In MedShow, I got to work closely with many of my classmates and get to know them better. Everyone brings so much talent and has a unique perspective, allowing us to put our ideas together and create a masterpiece. I knew the MedShow experience would be amazing but it has turned out to be even more incredible than I ever imagined. I love my MedShow family and am beyond excited to perform again!

Our class worked very hard to create this incredible show and we are very excited for you to come. See you there!"

Vanessa Russell (Playing "Ronda" in Medshow 2016)

4/27/2016

The University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine MD 2019 Class Presents:
Harry Potter and the Physician's Stone / Harry Potter à l'école des médecins

Tickets can be purchased here
All proceeds in support of the 2019 class charity, Pancreatic Cancer Purple Team

"Hi! I’m Vanessa and I am playing Ronda (the Hermione character) in this year’s Med Show. This is my first time being a part of such a big production and I can’t wait for everyone to see it! I’ve always loved performing in front of people whether it be through dance, speech competitions, or playing music. I feel privileged to be a part of a show surrounded by my extraordinarily talented colleagues and am so proud that our hard work will help in raising money for our Class Charity!"

Bridget Marjorie Mcdonald (Co-Producer of Medshow 2016)

4/26/2016

The University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine MD 2019 Class Presents:
Harry Potter and the Physician's Stone / Harry Potter à l'école des médecins

Tickets can be purchased here
All proceeds in support of the 2019 class charity, Pancreatic Cancer Purple Team

"I’m Bridget McDonald and I am one of the producers for MedShow this year. I decided to get involved with MedShow for a number of reasons. I wanted to get to know people in both streams and make some great memories of my first year of medical school. I also wanted to raise money for a good cause while indulging my love of musicals and hilariously re-written songs. I’m also a huge Harry Potter fan and when the theme was chosen I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. If you would have told me a couple years ago that in 2016 I’d be in medical school and producing a Harry Potter-themed musical I would have answered with “I wish!” This whole experience is a dream come true. It’s so nice to hear all members of the community talk about the MedShows through the years and I’m so glad that I have the privilege of helping with ours."

Raphaël Nahar Rivière (Playing "Ollivander" in Medshow 2016)

4/25/2016

The University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine MD 2019 Class Presents:
Harry Potter and the Physician's Stone / Harry Potter à l'école des médecins

Tickets can be purchased here
All proceeds in support of the 2019 class charity, Pancreatic Cancer Purple Team

"I was a script writer and performer for the 2016 Medshow. I wrote several parts in act 1 scenes 4 & 5 including the Dumbledean speech and Harry's first experiences in anatomy, histology and PSD classes. My favorite part was writing the lines for Dr. Pectineus Grape. I decided to write because I wanted to channel my creativity into a collective project all our fellow classmates would be able to share and celebrate. I played Ollivander as a role because I used to perform drama and theatre in high school and wanted to relive that experience. Articulating our emotions through word and play helps us reflect on our own personal lives. Writing and performing, even in a small way, has been incredibly rewarding and I feel very lucky to have had a chance to contribute."

Adam Suleman (Co-Director of Medshow 2016)

4/22/2016

The University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine MD 2019 Class Presents:
Harry Potter and the Physician's Stone / Harry Potter à l'école des médecins

Tickets can be purchased here
All proceeds in support of the 2019 class charity, Pancreatic Cancer Purple Team

There's a kid in the middle of nowhere sitting there, living for Tony performances, singin' and flippin' along with the Pippins and Wickeds and Kinkys, Matildas and Mormonses. So we might reassure that kid and do something to spur that kid.
Cause I promise you all of us up here tonight, we were that kid.
- Neil Patrick Harris, Opening Performance, Tony Awards 2013

"I love science, I love medicine, but I have always loved performing. There’s something about the rush you get when you go on stage after hundreds of hours of rehearsals… and you have one night to give everything you’ve got! There’s also something humbling knowing that although you have a crucial role in the show, you are only one small part of a bigger picture.

I’ve been performing since I was 6 years old, and I still remember the first performance I ever did. I’m so grateful to be one of the directors for this year’s show. Yes, one of my goals is to make this show an unforgettable show. But another one of my major goals is to show everyone just how much fun performing can be. I was lucky to have been exposed to the thrill of live singing/dancing/acting at a young age, and I’m so lucky to now be able to share that with many of my classmates who have never performed before. This is my first time ever directing a show, but I've learned so much from this role and working which such an incredible cast has re-inspired me in so many ways! I am so grateful to be able to continue my love for performance in medical school, and I hope to continue being involved in performances throughout my entire life!"

Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this section will contain mainly photography of individuals from the University of Ottawa and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.

Basé sur Humans of New York créé par Brandon Stanton, cette section contient une photo d’une personne avec une narration correspondante qui donne un aperçu de leur vie ou d’un moment de leur vie.

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