Share Your Story: Dr. Emel Ghafari
Where were you born and raised? 
I was born and raised in Iran.
Why did you choose family medicine?
I grew up in a small town and belonged to an ethnic minority in Iran. I experienced firsthand the difficulty of healthcare accessibility since childhood, where my mother told me about losing her first child to the lack of proper medical care and needing to travel for hours to take the child to the hospital at that time. I was driven by equity and justice in my mind, and wanted to make healthcare more accessible to everyone, so I started my career in medicine. Then my passion crystalized by serving people in remote and scattered areas in Iran, traveling to those regions on jeep roads!
The other compelling reason that I chose family medicine was that I can enjoy caring for my family, patients and my community altogether, with less compromising my personal life and family time.
Why did you choose to pursue your residency at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry?
The School's reputation for inclusion and respecting diversity.
Can you tell me about your experience in the program?
I can tell I found my professional family here. It overjoys me with the sense of belonging and community.
Have you had mentors throughout your training?
Besides formal mentors and my preceptor/faculty advisor, I enjoyed much informal mentorship from my colleagues, co-residents and patients.
What activities are you involved with that help bring balance in your life? How have they prepared you for residency?
I think the concept of balance is very subjective. It may sound cliche, but being present with my family is my secret to go on. I practice being present by disconnecting from all social media, and silencing my electronic devices when I get home.
And sometimes watching the lowest rated movie or a comedy show frees up some space in my busy mind.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I really do not know. I would rather focus on my present. Anywhere I would be, I wish it is where I proudly can look back from and say “I lived my life so far and I am happy!”
