The Southern Medical Program is pleased to welcome our newest students from the SMP Class of 2024. Meet some of our first-year students as they begin their studies in the Okanagan.
Aneesha Thouli
Hometown: Kelowna, BC
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I’ve always been interested in medicine. My mom is a huge influence in that she works at KGH, so I was exposed to the medical field from an early age. As I got older, I knew I wanted to do something where I could help people and medicine seemed like the perfect fit for that.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I’m excited to start learning about things I’m passionate about and meet others who share my interests.
How are you making personal wellness a priority during COVID-19?
Checking in on my mental health has been a huge priority for me. It’s easy to get bogged down with all the (mostly discouraging) information coming at us. I’ve had to really make an effort to take some time to myself every day.
Favourite physically-distanced social activity?
Definitely anything outdoors! I love hiking and working out. I just returned from studying in Australia and my favourite activity there was surfing or swimming in the ocean.
Emmet Suttill
Hometown: Kamloops, BC
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I’ve always been interested in science and medicine, and like the idea of a career where I can problem solve and work with others. However, I was inspired to become a doctor from a positive experience I had with a surgeon when I was younger. When I was younger, family illness was something I was largely unfamiliar with and my mom needed surgery. Her surgeon was able to put my family and I at ease and instill confidence in us by explaining the procedure in simple terms. This experience made me want to be able to help others in the same way.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I am incredibly excited about pretty much everything, ranging from new friends to the curriculum, but I would have to say I am most excited to learn the essential hands-on skills! COVID-19 is definitely an obstacle to this but I am very confident that we will find ways to work around it.
How are you making personal wellness a priority during COVID-19?
This is definitely a challenging time for everyone, and requires quite a bit of adaptation. I feel that, because of the risks the pandemic poses to our physical health, it has become easier to forget about our mental health. I’ve tried to take care of myself by getting outdoors in socially responsible ways which, in my opinion, has greatly helped both my mental and physical well being.
Favourite physically-distanced social activity?
My favourite physically-distanced social activity would have to be whitewater kayaking. This was my favourite sport prior to the pandemic, and adjusting has required a fair bit of creativity. Ultimately, I have still been able to whitewater kayak while minimizing exposure to my fellow paddlers which has been great!
Sabrina Martini
Hometown: Cranbrook, BC
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I couldn’t imagine doing anything else! Funnily enough, what first peaked my interest in medicine was when the Healthcare Travelling Roadshow came to my high school.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I am looking most forward to studying things that I am very interested in and working towards becoming an awesome physician. I am also super excited to meet all of my classmates.
How are you making personal wellness a priority during COVID-19?
During this time I have been making a conscious effort to schedule time for things that make me feel good like facetiming my grandparents, exercising and staying connected to the people who keep me sane.
Favourite physically-distanced social activity?
Hitting the beach, hiking, camping, pretty much anything outdoors!
Sahej Dhak
Hometown: Vanderhoof, BC
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
I had been toying with the idea of medicine since high school, but I was never really committed to it until a few years ago, when both my mother and brother were diagnosed with cancer in the span of a year. Their diagnosis and treatments made me feel frustrated because I wanted to know more about their diseases, more than what a brochure or website could teach me. Also, it was the first time I had ever experienced a serious illness either with myself or in my family. Seeing firsthand how much stress and anxiety it put on us, made me strengthen my resolve to do whatever I could to prevent others from having to go through the same thing. Additionally, I grew up in a household and culture that highly values respecting others and engaging in selfless service, and these values have become a core part of who I am. Combined, these experiences made me very committed to persuading medicine as a means to reduce the suffering of others while being of service to them in a productive and compassionate way.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
There is so much I am looking forward to! Asides from being able to live in the beautiful Okanagan and experience the warm weather, I am most excited to make new friendships with all the other students, faculty, and staff. All the students and faculty I have met from the SMP so far have all been very warm and welcoming. Having attended a small university before coming here, I had formed close connections with most of my class and department, and it is exciting to know that there is also a feeling of being in a close-knit community here.
How are you making personal wellness a priority during COVID-19?
All the uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely been stressful to deal with, especially as a student. I find that keeping myself occupied with essentially any activity helps to keep myself feeling well, especially engaging in my two favourite hobbies: cooking and gardening. I often go for runs and walks, which help me clear my mind, and I frequently call my friends as a means of safely maintaining good social wellbeing.
Favourite physically-distanced social activity?
A few friends and I often have virtual board games night, in which we video-call each other and then play some online board games together. I love playing board games and I’ve learned how to play some very interesting new ones during this time.