Community News
Dr. Kristin McCulloch – PGY2 Rural Regional Program – Chatham
Resident Profile
For Dr. Kristin McCulloch, pursuing a family medicine residency in the Chatham-Kent rural regional program brought her back to her community, and offered an opportunity to gain exposure to a wide variety of medicine and a broad scope of practice.
What program you a resident are of and what year of residency are you in?
Western Family Medicine Program – Chatham Site – PGY2
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Chatham, Ontario. We moved away when I was young to live in what was then the Northwest Territories (now Nunavut) to a small community called Cambridge Bay for three years. My family moved back to Chatham when I was in elementary school and I lived in Chatham until I moved away to attend my first year of university at Western.
What degree(s) do you have, and from what university (ies)?
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy completed at the University of Toronto in 2008. I practiced as a pharmacist for three years and still maintain my pharmacist license in Part B of the Registrar. I decided to return to school to further my medical education and so that I could be involved in more direct patient care. I was accepted to McMaster's Medical Program and graduated in 2014.
What special interests or hobbies do you have?
I enjoy spending time with our son, Thomas, who is just under two years of age (and has a great sense of humor). I also love to be outdoors and be active. I developed a real enthusiasm for kayaking while living in the Ottawa Valley. I enjoy running outdoors with our German Shepard-Husky mix, Saxon, and getting out for a long bike ride from time to time. When time is limited, I go to our local YMCA and enjoy the recreational activities the centre offers.
Why did you choose to pursue your residency at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry?
Family is really important to me and this offered me the chance to move closer to family. Also, many of the preceptors in Chatham-Kent have a broad scope of practice which includes inpatient medicine, emergency care and obstetrics. The Family Medicine program at the Chatham-Kent site offered a great opportunity to gain exposure to a wide variety of medicine and has introduced me to a comprehensive model of practice I would like to continue to offer to my patients once I graduate.
What inspires you in your work?
I enjoy medicine for two main reasons. I have always been a bit of science nerd and love the science supporting the work that we do. Meeting patients and learning their stories is another privilege of medicine that inspires me.
What has been your greatest experience to date in your residency?
It's hard to pinpoint one particular experience but I would say that, although somewhat unrelated, the birth of my son has been my greatest experience thus far. This was my first real encounter with the medical system as a patient and I feel it gave me some insight and understanding into how our patients feel. I must admit, becoming a mother was not easy and I feel I can relate more to some of my patient's issues.
Rest, relax, regroup-as I am sure all residents do. Certainly spend time with my family and try to enjoy some of those hobbies I listed above.
