Thirty-one students will graduate from the IMP next week. We spoke to four individuals in the Class of 2019 about their experiences in the program, where they’re headed next, and what inspires them.
Serenity Aberdour
Residency field: Anesthesiology
What attracted you to your field?
I like problem solving in the moment and taking a hands-on approach. Anesthesiology is a great combination of cognitive challenge and procedural skill. I also consistently enjoyed the personalities that I worked with in my anesthesia electives. I think that is important to consider when choosing a specialty – these are going to be your teammates for the rest of your career.
In 10 years, what IMP moment will you still talk about?
There are a lot to choose from. I spent most of medical school sitting in the back row of the lecture theatre with a pretty consistent group of people. There were some memorable moments back there for sure. I should probably just leave it at that…
What’s next for you?
I will join the UBC anesthesiology residency program on July 1. Rumour has it that will take up most of my time. I am looking forward to getting to know my co-residents and starting our five-year journey together! I will also be moving back to Vancouver for residency. I am looking forward to getting back into the trails and mountains on a more regular basis.
As you look ahead, who or what inspires you?
People who refuse to give up. People who succeed despite being told they couldn’t. People who feel it’s never too late to learn something new, be somebody different, or change their course in life.
Name one thing on your bucket list.
Sitting close to a colony of penguins in the wild and watching them waddle around while I drink tea.
Charles Yang
Residency field: Internal Medicine
What attracted you to your field?
What drew me to the field of internal medicine was the complexities of the diagnosis and treatments encountered. Digging behind the constellation of symptoms to find that grand, unifying diagnosis is extremely satisfying and keeps me intellectually engaged.
In 10 years, what IMP moment will you still talk about?
Having spend the last four years with the IMP family, I realize it is the small moments that we’ve shared together that I’ll never forget. It’s the serendipitous moments of running into your friends on the CaRMS tour and the late-night study sessions with pizza that I’ll keep within my heart.
What’s next for you?
I’m looking forward to upcoming travel plans over the summer before residency starts. I look forward to getting into the right mindset to tackle the next phase of my training.
As you look ahead, who or what inspires you?
As I reflect back on everything that’s happened and look forward into the future, seeing my aspirations come to life step by step gives me renewed inspiration. Along the way, the friends that have influenced me will continue to help me grow.
Name one thing on your bucket list.
Definitely skydiving.
Keely Hammond
Residency field: Internal Medicine
What attracted you to your field?
I’m excited to be involved in the care of complex patients, and to continue to learn and discuss interesting medical topics throughout my career. Internal medicine offers many opportunities to have rewarding and detailed conversations with patients, which I find satisfying. My interests within medicine are varied, and I’ll be able to further explore them through subspecialty rotations. Finally, I am excited to help teach learners and share their excitement and enthusiasm for medicine.
In 10 years, what IMP moment will you still talk about?
Hiking the West Coast Trail with a large group of my classmates in 2017. Two of our group even brought a guitar! We had a lovely experience that included sunshine, ocean swimming, rain, singing, and lots of good food.
What’s next for you?
I’m headed to Edmonton and the University of Alberta to start residency in internal medicine.
As you look ahead, who or what inspires you?
I’ve been inspired by many clinical preceptors here in Victoria and across Canada who have demonstrated exemplary patient communication skills over the course of my training. In the wider community, I also admire some excellent advocates for various causes, from Clara Hughes to Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond. During busy residency training, I hope that I can practice medicine in a way that models the best communicators I have observed while keeping a wider view on society.
Name one thing on your bucket list.
Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon. I’ve signed up for it this June, so hopefully it will be checked off soon!
Stuart Hartsook
Residency field: Psychiatry
What attracted you to your field?
Coming from a past career in business and banking, I was interested in an area of medicine that really highlighted the patient as a person and that made the doctor-patient relationship central to the role. I was also looking for a field that was challenging from a diagnostic and treatment point of view, that focused on working in a team, and that provided the opportunity for work-life balance and control over my own practice in the future. To my surprise, I found that psychiatry checked all the boxes.
In 10 years, what IMP moment will you still talk about?
It isn’t a moment per se, but I will talk about the close-knit culture, the focus on quality teaching, and the really fantastic faculty and staff that the IMP has. I’ll also look back with fondness on all the new friendships I formed with my classmates.
What’s next for you?
Lucky for me, I won’t be leaving Vancouver Island! I’ll be starting a UBC Psychiatry residency here in Victoria on July 1, and will be here for at least the next five years. Ultimately, I’d like to spend the rest of my career practicing psychiatry on the BC coast.
As you look ahead, who or what inspires you?
I am constantly inspired by my wife. As an elementary school teacher, she has one of the toughest jobs in the world.
Name one thing on your bucket list.
Taking a trip across Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway.