Resident Spotlight: Dr. Sarah Felder - Family Medicine
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Switzerland, in a small town near Luzern. My family moved to a farm outside of Petrolia, Ontario, when I was 10 years old, which is where I spent the remainder of my childhood.
What degrees do you have, and from what universities?
I have a bachelor of medical sciences from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. I initially intended to complete an honors bachelor of medical science in biochemistry, but left after three years to study medicine at Queen’s University.
Why did you choose to pursue your residency at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry?
I actually truly first thought about going to medical school when I was 16 and attended the MedLINCS (then MedQuest) program as a high school student. Meeting students from Schulich Medicine turned what I’d previously felt to be an unattainable career I knew little about into something achievable. I aspired to become a physician and eventually practice in Southwestern Ontario, so it made sense to pursue my post-graduate training at Schulich Medicine. I have specifically always been so impressed with the School's commitment to rural and regional education to facilitate training in different settings.
Did you or do you have any mentors who you can turn to for advice and guidance? If so, what is one of the best pieces of advice you have received from them?
My family medicine preceptor, Dr. John Day, has been a fantastic teacher and great mentor.
I’ve learned much from him, but I would say the most important lesson is that no matter your personal vigilance, you cannot know everything. You won’t always be right. Therefore, cultivate a relationship of trust and mutual respect with your patients, always be humble, and spend the rest of your career learning. The day you lose your intellectual curiosity or your passion to help your patients should be the day you retire from medicine.
Why did you decide to complete your residency in Windsor?
I wanted to train at a regional site to maximize my clinical and hands-on experience, while still obtaining diverse exposures afforded by working in a large, busy community centre with all major subspecialty services. I knew that the Windsor residents are a tight-knit group who are very involved in designing their academic program, which appealed to me as well. Also, my husband is a third-year Schulich Medicine student at the Windsor Campus.
What has been your greatest experience to date in your residency?
I think my greatest experiences have been my time spent in the emergency department and the intensive care unit. I enjoyed the acuity and complexity of the patient care, and the collegial atmosphere of the incredible nurses, respiratory therapists, and physicians who work in these areas. My experience in these departments influenced my decision to pursue an extra year of training in emergency medicine.
I feel exceptionally privileged to train in a relatively large centre that provides complex care to surgical and medical patients, but where there is a great sense of community among the medical staff.
What inspires you in your work?
I think it has always been and will continue to be the people I see every day. I have learned so much about what it means to be resilient, selfless, optimistic and patient from the individuals I have had the privilege to treat. I continue to learn so much from the nurses, physicians, allied health professionals and patients I work with every day.
What do you do when you're not working?
I enjoy reading, baking and running.
Rapid Round with Dr. Felder
TV or movies?
Movies
Digital or paper books?
Paper books. No contest. I think I can never move again because I own too many paper books.
Coffee or tea?
Espresso.
Favorite food?
Cheese and chocolate.
If you were a superhero, what power would you want to have?
Clock-stopping. I’ve been told that’s quite a lame answer, but I would love to have more time to read.
