Directors of Resident Support

I grew up in Winnipeg and attended medical school at the University of Manitoba. I then moved to London, Ontario where I completed my residency in Internal Medicine and went on to study Endocrinology at the University of Toronto where I also pursued a Master’s of Science with an interest in pituitary disease. In 2005 I moved to Calgary to join the Division of Endocrinology, so this will now be my 20th year with the Department of Medicine! 

I’ve always had a strong interest in physician wellness and have enjoyed my work on the Wellness Committee for the Division of Endocrinology which not only includes planning wellness activities for our residents and fellows, but also mentoring junior staff as they transition to practice and supporting physicians during leaves from their practice (eg. planning coverage due to parental leave, sick leave etc.).  It has always been important to me to ensure that all physicians and residents feel supported in their work environment, both mentally and clinically, to give them the opportunity to work to the best of their ability. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my husband and 3 kids with road trips being one of our favorite things to do.  I’m honoured to be a part of the PGME resident support team working with residents from all disciplines to ensure they feel supported and valued as they move through their rigorous training to become the next generation of medical caregivers.

Hi! I am a graduate of the University of Ottawa medical school (1997). During training I started off in Family Medicine but loved Pediatrics so much I ended up doing my residency in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. In 2006 (9 years of training – yikes!) I joined the newly formed Section of Pediatric Hematology at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. 

My interest in trainee welfare has developed through my roles as a program director for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology residency (2009-2017), as an ombudsperson for the Pediatric Infectious Disease program, and participation in the General Pediatric Competency Committee. When I am not at work, my partner Andrew and I enjoy swimming, being in the mountains, and running after our 1 year old daughter – whew! I am excited to be part of this new PGME initiative as I really want to help ensure that all trainees at U of C are able to enjoy a safe and welcoming learning/work environment.

I grew up in the once small town of Vernon BC, where I learned to love the outdoors and appreciate what community means. When not at work, I enjoy good conversations with family and friends, hiking in the Rockies and reading. With a passion for learning, after my undergrad degree at UBC, I attended several different universities for my medical training, including the University of Alberta (medical school, anesthesiology residency), University of Ottawa (critical care residency), and University of Calgary (palliative medicine residency). I have also completed a masters degree in medical education. 

Through my experiences as peer supporter with WellDoc AIberta, program director for palliative medicine, work with the Office of Professionalism, Equity and Diversity, and my own experiences as a resident and a physician at a number of different hospitals in Canada, I have come to realize how much the clinical environment and workplace culture affects mental health, well-being and patient care. I am excited to be part of the Cumming School of Medicine resident support team and look forward to working with who I consider to be an amazing group of residents navigating the complexities of residency training.

I grew up in Calgary, but my medical training has taken me all across Canada. I completed medical school at the University of Saskatchewan, before making the move to Ottawa in 2016 to start my residency in Pediatrics. In 2020, I moved back to Calgary to complete a fellowship in Pediatric Hospital Medicine at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. In addition to my inpatient work, I also serve as the consultant pediatrician for Siksika First Nation. My areas of interest include clinical care for children with medical complexity, patient advocacy and Indigenous Child and Youth health.

Through my work as a hospital pediatrician, I have the privilege of working with trainees at various different stages including medical students, residents and fellows. The opportunity to connect with trainees and foster growth is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. I am passionate about medical education, specifically creating a safe and inclusive learning environment to really allow learners to flourish. I feel privileged to be joining the DRS team and hope to help trainees navigate the challenges that exist within residency training.