I’m sharing this article today because I feel so fortunate to have spent five years here at McMaster and lucky to have the chance to share my story and thank those that got me to where I am. A thread of thanks follows:
Most residents don’t have the opportunity to thank their supporters in print, but I know that each & every graduating resident has those champions who saw their passion and encouraged it, who saw their struggles and reached out, and who made hospital hallways feel like home.
We as learners appreciate you champions - thank you for your time at the end of busy clinics, for your caring, your genuine interest in our successes (both personal and professional), your commitment to improving education and supporting learners.
Dr Barb Strang, my program director, is the simply put, the best! Her office door is quite literally always open. I will miss our Wednesday afternoon sessions brainstorming our next idea, chatting about our families, and developing a friendship.
Within the McMaster oncology family I am grateful to support and encouragement from many other champions, including the wonderful @staceymarj, Dr Sussman, @b_dhesy, @BrandonMeyersMD, Dr Eiriksson, Dr Jimenez, Dr Neville, Dr Tozer and endless allied health and support staff
On that note, Our radiation therapists and planners are second to none. While studying for RC this year, I was constantly in and out of the mould room, CT Sim or treatment planning offices asking questions and learning from them. THANK YOU! @Lisa_Balsdon
At PGME, @PWasiMacPGME is an incredible role model. When I came knocking, she & her team (Brenda, Sophia, Lisa, Brooke, Allison, Linda), gave me the support & resources to achieve my goals. She thinks critically about issues facing learners & tirelessly advocate on our behalf!
Across McMaster I have been supported by @allynewalsh, Dr. Bakker, @BellDramanda, Dr. Niec, Robin Edwards, @MGVanstone @TomAlexander129, Dr. Corey, Dr. Yousuf, @TChanMD, Dr. Brant-Vegas, @LessMarts among many others.
I was honoured last year to receive the PGME mentorship award. I have tried my best to pay forward the time and energy that has been invested in me by my mentors by helping open doors for others of all backgrounds, recognizing the role my privilege has also played in my success.
Recently I’ve reflected on how I can do more to help SHOW the door to those who might not otherwise have the resources or privileges that I have, and continue to open them for those who come knocking.
So thank you champions across @MacHealthSci across PG education. We residents see you, we appreciate you, we are grateful to you for choosing to be post graduate educators and for supporting each of us in our pursuits of becoming the best doctors and people we can be.
