What do you like about General Surgery?

General Surgeons can tackle it all. And while we are able to react and intervene in acute emergencies, making a meaningful difference in a patients life, we also have the opportunity to be thoughtful and contemplative about the care of our patients. My subspecialty of surgical oncology rarely follows the textbook and allows me the opportunity to exist not only as a technician but also as a philosopher. I’m constantly pushed to think about quality of life, personal values, and the biology of disease while acting as a steward for patients to make informed decisions in their care. We have the opportunity to meet people at a time when they are scared and without hope and if we do our jobs well, they leave with a greater understanding and hope for the future and the choices they have made.

What do you like about this program?

This is a close knit, functional group of surgeons and trainees that actually genuinely enjoy each others company. Even as staff surgeons we have each others backs. All members of the team are viewed as equals. As a more junior staff member you have a voice early on and are encouraged to use it. There is dedicated mentorship for residents from day one and this is not something I experienced in my residency. We also genuinely care about resident wellness and respect their autonomy and lives! I feel very lucky to practice in Ottawa.

Do you have a special role in this residency program?

I am the education lead for Surgical Oncology and ACS at the General. I am also the Wellness lead for our surgical oncology fellowship. I am also one of the selected leads for the Bullying and Harassment program. I was lucky enough to receive the teaching award in my first year of practice.

What do you like about training residents?

Training residents gives meaning to what we do. It is such a joy to walk a resident through a complex scenario and see them come into their own. To discuss the nuances and the alternatives and see our way through. I love to see, feel and help foster passion. Also, it can not be understated how much I learn from the residents. They are always up to date in areas outside my subspecialty and I love taking the opportunity on call to discuss these topics. I also love a lively and educated debate about what the best way forward is in a difficult situation. We may not always say it, but there is a sense of comfort knowing that tough cases on call will be faced as a very capable and competent team. Even to have such a skilled and knowledgeable sounding board is truly a gift. Everything we give to them via teaching, we get bad back in spades.

What is the thing you’re most proud of in your professional life?

We are creating something truly unique in Ottawa with respect to advanced cancer surgical care and I am so lucky to be at the helm. I believe we will create a first of its kind program in Canada that will serve as a model to other programs. It’s a unique opportunity for trainees to be apart of something different, both clinically but also from an academic perspective.

What do you do outside of work?

I love adventures! Weekends are made for exploring. You will often find my husband and I off hiking with our Weimaraner somewhere new. We also love hitting up a local market, natural wine shop or procuring some delicious epicurean delights. I love to cook and I have an ever deepening appreciation of wines (mostly French and Italian if I’m honest). We love to travel and I would be happy spending all my summers in the Mediterranean! In the winter you’ll find me skiing and Apres skiing! A few times a week I make my way to a spin or step class. Anything in a dark room in time to music floats my boat!

Tell us something people should know about you.

Interesting fact? I helped achieve a Guinness book of world records record for the most trees planted in a day!