Dema, Windsor Campus
Meet Dema, a Family Medicine resident in our Windsor Campus Program, training at the Windsor Family Health Centre.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Windsor Ontario, the southern most city in Canada.
Where do you practice medicine and in what scope?
I am a resident at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Windsor Campus.
What are your research interests?
I am interested in mentorship and medical education as well as resident and physician wellness. I am not very involved in extra research apart from my QI project which has to do with annual health exams in the 6-17 year old age group. Though I believe that research in Medicine is very important.
Why did you choose to pursue Postgraduate degree in the Department of Family Medicine at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry?
I did my medical School Training through Schulich School of Medicine Windsor Campus. When it was time to choose a residency program staying at Schulich was a no brainer and the fact that I could continue my training in Windsor Ontario was even better. Schulich has excellent faculty and a great community environment that fosters collegiality. The added bonus is that I am able to continue to train in a community that has given me so much and invested into my learning. Hopefully I can give back to the community by providing care and teaching future medical trainees.
Can you tell me about your experience in the program?
My experience as a resident at Schulich Medicine has been fantastic! I have been able to interact with the amazing preceptors and continue to learn and grow as a physician and a medical educator. I have been able to mentor medical students and other residents. Furthermore I have some of the most fantastic co-residents that are so bright and full of life and all around great individuals that I am proud to call my colleagues.
What has been your greatest challenge?
The greatest challenge I have found in medicine is that there are so many amazing opportunities to work in fields that are interesting to me that it can sometimes become overwhelming. Its important to learn to balance things that are important to us.
What has been your greatest experience to date in your study?
My greatest experiences have been interacting with patients. I have learned through patient care is that patients are so strong and insightful and we can learn so much from our patients by listening to them. They have such amazing lives and stories that extend far beyond our exam room walls, that extend years beyond the time we are seeing them. By listening to patients we can learn about ourselves, we can learn more about medicine, but most importantly we learn more about the person we are treating so that we can cater each treatment plan to them, their life goals, their family situation.
What inspires you in your work?
I LOVE to speak with individuals of different ages, stages of life, and life situations and I really enjoy helping others and to me medicine has allowed me to do both in the most fulfilling way possible. Its an amazing career where I will be able to constantly grow and change and gain new skills and that is so exciting to me. I am inspired by my patients and their stories, their successes, their struggles and being able to help them through it all. I am inspired by my community and the hard working individuals I have encountered who are so enthusiastic and innovative, they inspire me to work harder.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years I hope to be practicing comprehensive Family Medicine. I see myself teaching and mentoring medical students and residents and giving back to my community and being involved in community initiatives.
What special interests or hobbies do you have?
I enjoy baking and often test out my recipes on my colleagues, and they always eat it ( even when I decide to substitute regular flour for quinoa flour… a tip I would not recommend). I also love to travel and experience new cultures and languages ( but I am a very picky eater so don’t ask me for food recommendations). I enjoy rollerblading and I dabble in online shopping, and am the self proclaimed best amazon.com customer. If it exists on amazon.com I have probably found it and may or may not have purchased it.
What three words best describe you?
Dedicated, Fun, Laughs-at-own-jokes, Hardworking (I know this is four, but one is not a word…)
