Meet our Resident Leaders
Drs. Laura Caracas, Neil Sengupta, Mary Ann Zokvic, and Nicholas Chandna are the 2022/2023 Family Medicine chief residents. They serve as an important resource to the Department and resident body, and act as mentors, leaders and advocates for the Program. Meet each of our resident leaders in this profile series.
Dr. Laura Caracas, Chief Resident, Department of Family Medicine
Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Europe, in Romania. My home was the capital, Bucharest, a lively city, with old traditions and rebellious nature.
Shortly after being accepted into Medical School in Bucharest, I visited Vancouver for the first time. I fell in love with the endless beautiful landscapes, peaceful hikes and friendly people. It is that moment when I started to entertain the thought of becoming a physician in Canada. In 2018, I made a bold decision to uproot my life and move my family here to pursue that dream.
My journey brought me to London, Ontario, where I met my mentors who supported me in exploring my passion for Family Medicine.
Where do you practice medicine and in what scope?
I am currently a PGY2 resident in the Regional North program in Ilderton. My work is an excellent mix between clinic, hospital, and long-term care. Residents trained here benefit from learning experiences in specific areas of medicine such as Skin Disorders, Emergency Medicine, Palliative care, FM-Ob/Gyn, Mental health and more.
I am also one of the Chief Residents, a role which I really enjoy as it gives me the opportunity to get to know my colleagues better.
What are your research interests?
Current research interests include integrating telemedicine into practice to address the gap between available healthcare services and the needs of our patients. The Canadian Healthcare landscape has been experiencing a major shift for the past years and it is my hope to be prepared for that change.
Why did you choose to pursue Postgraduate education in the Department of Family Medicine at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry?
My choice to continue my medical education with the Western Family Medicine program stems from the fact that it is one of the strongest FM residency programs in Canada.
Key features include flexibility in terms of learning with ample options in terms of elective time and locations. The program offers a lot of variety with available sites in urban and rural areas, throughout Southwest Ontario.
I am very pleased with my decision. My time in the program has been very rewarding in terms of professional growth. I have met and learnt from dedicated physicians who modeled for learners how to provide the best care possible for patients. Furthermore, Faculty members are supportive and approachable which promotes a great learning environment.
Can you tell me about your experience in the program?
I had an excellent experience, not only in terms of learning but from a personal perspective as well. The FM program allows residents to participate in all aspects of care for patients, with a
good balance between acute and chronic care. These experiences helped me feel confident and prepared for my future transition into practice.
From a personal standpoint, I have built close working relationships with my co-residents and preceptors.
What has been your greatest challenge?
Work-life balance is a challenge for any resident, including myself. The way I managed this was prioritizing spending time with family and exercising. I feel that having healthy outlets to manage stress is crucial in this stage of career.
What has been your greatest experience to date in your study?
I particularly enjoyed my time doing Family Medicine in Ilderton, Hospitalist Medicine in University Hospital and Pediatrics in Stratford. These experiences were great part due to the preceptors and part due to the nature of the work itself.
What inspires you in your work?
My patients and my daughter.
My journey in Medicine has had obstacles, as it is the case for most of us. My patients are the ones that teach and inspire me to keep going. They are my motivation to strive to be a better physician every day.
I also find strength in my daughter. I try to model for her how to overcome setbacks and take on challenges.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself working in a small community doing both clinic work and hospital work. I plan to remain in Ontario, close to my family and friends here.
What special interests or hobbies do you have?
I am very passionate about staying active. I love running, tennis, yoga. I am most keen on running and I have just completed a half-marathon in Toronto last week.
What three words best describe you?
Clear-sighted, driven and kind.
Dr. Neil Sengupta, Chief Resident, Department of Family Medicine
Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario.
Where do you practice medicine and in what scope?
I am currently a second year Family Medicine resident in the London Urban Stream. My home site is the Byron Family Medical Centre. I practice full-scope family medicine, including clinic, long term care, home visits, with a special interest in Emergency Medicine.
What are your research interests?
My research interests are focused on transitions of care and improved communication between Family and Emergency Physicians. Currently, I am conducting a project to better understand what factors may impact patient follow-up with their Family Doctor after a visit to the emergency department.
Why did you choose to pursue Postgraduate education in the Department of Family Medicine at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry?
I completed my undergraduate education at Queen's and my medical school at McMaster. I wanted to experience a new centre, a new culture, and a new approach to teaching while still staying within Ontario. I chose to come to Western for my residency because I appreciated the opportunity to be exposed to a large, quaternary care centre (LHSC) while also practicing both urban and rural/regional Family Medicine. London is unique in this regard - it is a large city but surrounded by many small communities with small to medium sized hospitals. The program is also extremely flexible, with ample opportunities for electives, which is helpful to tailor your residency to future career aspirations. Finally, there is excellent mentorship from preceptors at Western.
Can you tell me about your experience in the program?
The London Urban Program has been a great experience to date. I have enjoyed rotating through the large, academic hospitals and experiencing the acuity and complexity of care they have to offer. Training in an environment with other residents has many advantages, not the least is the amazing teaching opportunities that it presents. Our Family Medicine rotations are well supported, with ample time and opportunity to manage both patients and your practice independently (with supervision). Preceptors teach both medicine and the practical aspects needed to run a practice (billing, time management, considerations in having your own office). This has been excellent preparation for my future career.
What has been your greatest challenge?
My greatest challenge in residency has been balancing the new level of responsibility. Transitioning from being a clerk, with residents and attendings to support you, to the privilege of being able to genuinely care for patients in addition to teaching junior learners has increased the level of responsibility and accountability that I must have. Balancing this with administrative responsibilities as Chief and ongoing research projects is also a demand on time management.
What has been your greatest experience to date in your study/practice/ research?
It is really challenging to pinpoint a single experience. I have had so many memorable and practice-changing experiences throughout residency. Rotating through emergency departments and inpatient units has been an excellent exposure to sick, complex patients. I have cherished the longitudinal patient encounters and relationships that have stemmed from them during my Family Medicine blocks. I have also enjoyed my time as Chief Resident thus far. I'm confident that the clinical and non-clinical experiences I have been afforded at Western will make me into an excellent physician in the future.
What inspires you in your work?
Patient stories! As primary care physicians, the interactions that we are fortunate to have on a daily basis keep me going. The short, yet impactful experiences we have in the emergency department and the longitudinal, holistic encounters we have in clinic always represent an opportunity to learn and grow. This is what keeps me inspired to come to work on a daily basis! It is always lovely to hear new stories from patients and help them along their health journey.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself having a blended, academic practice incorporating both Family and Emergency Medicine.
What special interests or hobbies do you have?
I love to cook, try new food, travel, and play tennis. I'm also a die-hard Toronto Blue Jays fan.
What three words best describe you?
Resilient, dependable, foodie.
Dr. Mary Ann Zokvic, Chief Resident, Department of Family Medicine
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Windsor, Ontario.
Where do you practice medicine and in what scope?
I am grateful to be able to continue my family medicine residency training in my home town of Windsor.
What are your research interests?
My research interests lie within primary care; I completed my graduate degree in Human Kinetics studying the effect of isometric handgrip exercise on blood pressure management.
Why did you choose to pursue Postgraduate education in the Department of Family Medicine at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry?
My decision to study Family Medicine at Schulich Medicine was largely driven by my connection to the local community. Family physicians are pillars of knowledge and support for the communities they serve. My life experiences with the people of Windsor, Ontario shaped who I am today, and it is a privilege to express my gratitude through service to that same community.
Can you tell me about your experience in the program?
What a whirlwind it's been so far! The 1:1 learning with staff, and breadth of hands-on opportunities for patient care contrasts the larger academic centre I came from. It's been a time of significant personal and professional growth made possible by support from our amazing peers and staff.
What has been your greatest challenge?
It has been challenging to maintain resilience throughout the saga that has been this pandemic. Prioritizing my wellness during the past year has been absolutely essential and has required me to build a habit of periodically checking my own metaphorical pulse.
What inspires you in your work?
My patients and their unique lived experiences inspire my work. They are what makes this profession meaningful. We are fortunate as physicians to have the trust of our patients; For this reason I want to do right by them and deliver the best care possible.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
It feels as though I've spent much of the past 10 years+ striving towards my goal of practicing medicine and planning for the future. Now that I'm finally here, I'm happy to see how the next decade unfolds as I continue to cultivate my craft. Let it be a surprise.
What special interests or hobbies do you have?
You will often find me exploring the outdoors with my husband Adam and our German Shepherd Gus. Lately, I've been working on my fitness with a personal trainer; I'm determined to do at least one unassisted pull-up in my lifetime. I'm also definitely looking forward to the upcoming ski season.
What three words best describe you?
Considerate. Resourceful. Easygoing.
Dr. Nicholas Chandna, PGY3 Chief Resident, Department of Family Medicine
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Swift Current, SK, and raised in Moose Jaw, SK. I completed a degree in biochemistry and medical school at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Afterwards, I matched to Dalhousie University where I completed my Family Medicine residency.
Where do you practice medicine and in what scope?
I am currently an Enhanced Skills PGY3 Resident in Medical Oncology at the London Regional Cancer Program. We treat adult patients with solid malignancies with systemic therapy.
What are your research interests?
I am interested in translational research (i.e., bringing basic science to the bedside).
Why did you choose to pursue Postgraduate education in the Department of Family Medicine at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry?
During my Family Medicine residency at Dalhousie University, I completed a two-month elective in Medical Oncology at Western University. I absolutely loved my time here and wanted to come back for Enhanced Skills training. Furthermore, I would argue that we have the best Enhanced Skills Medical Oncology program in the country.
Can you tell me about your experience in the program?
I have loved my experience so far, which is what I expected from my previous electives. I get to work one-on-one with the staff and I am given appropriate autonomy. I enjoy the academic aspect of oncology – staying up-to-date on research and clinical trials. Cancer is a fascinating disease and taking care of oncology patients has been a great experience.
What has been your greatest challenge?
My greatest challenge has been maintaining work-life balance. There is always work to do, whether it be seeing patients, doing research, teaching, or participating in leadership roles.
What has been your greatest experience to date in your study/practice/ research?
My greatest experience has been working with cancer patients and learning about the various solid malignancies.
What inspires you in your work?
Working with cancer patients throughout their journey inspires me. Cancer is one of the worst diseases, and it causes a great deal of morbidity and mortality. It has been one of the greatest challenges in healthcare and science. The biology of cancer is also fascinating, and the advances in drug treatment has been amazing to learn about. Trying to advance the field inspires me as well.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully, I will still be here in London working as a General Practitioner in Oncology. I hope to have a faculty position with Western University, doing research and teaching learners.
What special interests or hobbies do you have?
I love sports, both playing and watching. I enjoy watching basketball, baseball, and football. My favorite sports team is the New York Yankees. I also enjoy going out to restaurants with friends and colleagues.
What three words best describe you?
Ambitious, responsible, reflective.
