Dr. Jessica Davie - Resident Spotlight
Thanks to great teachers and mentors, small class sizes and a lot of hands-on training, Dr. Jessica Davie felt well prepared to start her family medicine residency training program in Windsor.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Essex County, just outside of Harrow, Ontario. I attended the Harrow public and high schools.
What is your education background?
All of my degrees were obtained from Western University. I have an honours degree in Medical Sciences, a master’s degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology and a medical degree from the Schulich Medicine - Windsor Campus.
What stands out for you from your undergraduate medical education training at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry?
I consider myself very fortunate to have trained at the Windsor Campus. I have had a lot of hands-on experience and great teachers and mentors that have helped me to prepare for a residency program in family medicine. I also appreciated the smaller class size and getting to know all of my classmates as well as administrative staff on a more personal level. I think that really enhanced the learning environment.
Why did you choose family medicine?
I chose family medicine because I felt that it was the best fit for my personality and life goals. I love being able to develop solid relationships with patients and to provide them with continuity of care. I love the broad scope of family medicine and being able to see newborn babies at one visit and geriatric patients at the next. Perhaps most importantly, family medicine provides the best opportunity to practise preventative medicine, something that I am extremely passionate about.
Have you had mentors throughout your training? If so, is one of the best things a mentor has shared?
I have had many fantastic mentors throughout my training. As a medical student I completed my family medicine rotation with Dr. Helena Hamdan. I had such a great experience with her that I chose to train with her as my primary preceptor and faculty mentor as a family medicine resident. She has taught me to be thorough and confident with my medical assessments and to continuously challenge and educate myself. She has also taught me the importance of work-life balance and how to manage that with a busy family practice.
Why did you choose to pursue your residency at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, and specifically in Windsor?
I had a great experience training in Windsor as a medical student. I felt that I was well prepared for residency and I knew that I was going to receive the same level of education as a resident. The Windsor Campus has developed a great program over the years with excellent staff, faculty and mentors. I also really love working with my fellow residents. We have a great relationship both inside and outside of medicine and everyone is extremely supportive. It is also an incredible advantage, and privilege, to train where I intend on practising once I am done.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned from your patients so far?
One of the lessons that I have learned from my patients is that communication is one of the most important aspects of medicine. You could be the most brilliant physician and make a correct diagnosis and management plan, but if you don’t communicate that effectively to your patient and team then the care you’ve intended to provide is wasted.
Can you share more details about your interest in rural medicine?
My interest in rural medicine stems from the experiences that I’ve had throughout my medical training as well as growing up in a small community. Throughout medical school and residency I have trained in a number of rural settings and smaller communities including St. Marys, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Walkerton, Chatham, Leamington and Kingsville. I was able to appreciate that family doctors working in these areas have a different scope of practice. They need to be competent in multiple medical settings and manage patients confidently with fewer resources and diagnostic tools. I really enjoyed working in this type of setting and I think that it has really enhanced my medical training and ability to provide care to under-serviced areas.
Where do you plan to practise once you have completed your residency? Why have you chosen this particular area?
Upon completing my residency training I intend on starting a practice in Essex County. I always imagined myself moving back to the county with the hopes of playing a more significant role as a member of the community. I look forward to the opportunity to providing care to an under-serviced area as well as the opportunity to practice in multiple medical settings.
How do you maintain balance and personal wellness?
I am incredibly passionate about preventative medicine and am constantly counselling my patients on lifestyle changes. I think it is important to keep a good work-life balance in order to stay healthy and happy. Personally, I try to keep my time organized by scheduling time to keep up with my studies and time to relax. I am very active and have a number of hobbies including running, cycling and paddle boarding. I also enjoy cooking, traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
I think being able to control time would be the most useful, but I’d also love to be able to fly.
