Pathways by NOSMUSC

Join us this month as we sit down and talk with Dr. Barb Zelek, a rural generalist in Marathon, Ontario. Dr. Zelek has worked in Marathon for over 20 years, providing rural generalist care, including emergency medicine work, obstetrical care, and hospitalist work. Outside of her clinical work, Dr. Zelek has been deeply involved in Leadership opportunities at NOSM University and now the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Throughout her career, Dr. Zelek has also used her clinical practice and pulse on rural care to guide her research to help improve healthcare in rural communities. Listen in to learn how you can build research and leadership into your future career in medicine!

We have the absolute honour to have Dr. Kona Williams on our podcast this Month. Dr. Williams is the first Indigenous Forensic Pathologist in Canada and has a passion for solving mysteries. She enjoys teaching and is a current Assistant Professor at NOSM University. Dr. Williams is also a strong advocate for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and has dedicated her career to justice for her patients and community. 

Welcome back to Pathways! This month, we chat with Dr. Marion-Bellemare, a physiotherapist turned family doc who specializes in caring for some of the most vulnerable patients in Northern Ontario. Take a listen to the challenges and successes of working in the field of Addictions and how rewarding the work can be. 

This month, we chat with Dr. Kvas, MD (CCFP) and deep dive into the vast opportunities rural family physicians have in more rural settings. Dr. Kvas is a true rural generalist, providing specialized stroke care to patients in the region, helping families deliver babies in the community, treating patients in the emergency department, while also finding time to provide primary care in the clinic for his patients. Luckily for students and residents, Dr. Kvas is also a dedicated teacher through his role as Associate Professor at NOSM U.Dr. Kvas is originally from Southern Ontario, and we explore what drove him to live and practice in the North. 

This month, we had a wonderful conversation with Dr. Sarah McIsaac, who is an Anesthesiologist and Intensivist in Sudbury, ON. Beyond Dr. McIsaac's work in the hospital, she is an *Associate Professor at NOSM University as well as the Program Director of the Anesthesia residency program. Dr. McIsaac is also the co-founder of Northern City of Heroes, an organization that aims to increase knowledge and skills for CPR. We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did!

This month, we sit down with a mentor of ours, Dr. Nick Fortino, MD (CCFP-EM), and learn about his path to Emergency Medicine, the differences between working in more rural emergency departments, and various other physician jobs he has explored throughout his career. As promised, for students interested in Emergency Medicine, feel free to reach out to Dr. Fortino by email ([email protected]). 

Welcome to our first episode! This month, we sit down with Dr. Laura Piccinin, MD (CCFP-EM), to discuss her career as an Emergency Medicine physician in Northern Ontario. Beyond EM, Dr. Piccinin discusses her work as a coroner, her passion for teaching medical students and residents, and offers advice to anyone on their journey to medicine.

Welcome to Pathways, a student-led podcast by the NOSM U Student Council. Pathways explores the unique careers of Northern Ontario physicians through engaging interviews, aiming to provide NOSMU students, residents, and beyond with valuable information for career exploration in Northern Ontario.