Dmitri, London Urban Program
Meet Dmitri, a Family Medicine resident in our London Urban Program, training at the Victoria Family Medical Centre.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Yekaterinburg, Russia, and moved to Canada at the age of nine in 2010. Since then, and until I started medical school, I was living in Toronto, and I consider it to be my home.
Where do you practice medicine and in what scope?
I am a second year Family Medicine resident at the Victoria Family Medical Center in London, Ontario. This is a Family Medicine teaching clinic where I work under the mentorship of my two preceptors, Dr. Grushka and Dr Valiquet. We see a full range of patients of all ages, and provide comprehensive care from birth to end of life.
What drew you to the Family Medicine residency program at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry?
I undertook my medical school training at the Windsor campus of the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, and had a very positive experience during my undergraduate medical training. These positive experiences gave me confidence in the mentorship and training I would receive as a resident if I were to remain at Schulich.
Can you tell me about your experience in the program?
My experience with the family medicine preceptors in the program has been exclusively positive. Everyone I have worked with is eager to teach, and pass on their experience, to allow me to become a competent family physician. The opportunities for electives in second year, have allowed me to focus on areas on Family Medicine I would like to include in my practice, specifically Palliative Care, and to hone my skills in the areas I am weak at, for example through my Sports Medicine rotation.
What inspires you in your work?
My inspiration for work, is the process of building a strong physician-patient relationship, during which I get to meet a variety of people of all walks of life, and become an important aspect of maximizing their health and wellness.
Can you recount a positive lesson you’ve taken from your residency?
I think the main positive lesson I've learned during residency, is how with proper Palliative Care, the end of life process for a patient can be comfortable, pain-free and dignified.
What has been your greatest challenge?
My greatest challenge during residency has been encounters with complex patients presenting with multiple issues, both chronic and acute. Initially, you want to be a great resident and address and remedy all of their concerns, but the challenge is realizing that often it is impossible to do so, and understanding that being a doctor is not simply about making your patients as healthy as possible, but is also helping your patients cope with those medical issues which cannot be fully resolved.
What special interests or hobbies do you have?
I enjoy cycling recreationally, as well as constructing and collecting LEGO sets.
What would you consider your most significant career accomplishment to date?
With my career still just at the beginning, I don't think there are many accomplishments that I could speak of, which I don't share with my colleagues, or which set me apart. At this point, I think my greatest accomplishment is still getting into medical school in the first place. It is a very tough process, and I felt honored to be accepted to Schulich back in 2013.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I seen myself practicing in a Family Health Team setting in a medium to large city in the GTA or Southwestern Ontario. I would love to supervise residents, and take part in delivering medical education to medical students.
What three words best describe you?
Friendly, organized, honest.
