Fifth-year ob-gyn resident awarded national medal for advancing women physicians in Canada

Last September, in Ottawa, Dalia Karol received a King Charles III’s Coronation Medal for her achievements at Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC), an organization whose mission is to advance the professional development and wellbeing of women physicians throughout the country. Over the last five years of her residency, Karol has worked in a number of advisory and advocacy capacities for FMWC, which nominated her for the medal.

The Coronation Medal was inaugurated in 2023 for King Charles III and is awarded to Canadians who have made a significant contribution to Canada.

“To receive national recognition so early in her career is exceedingly impressive,” says Kellie Murphy, chair and professor of the ob-gyn department and on staff at Sinai Health. “This medal is a testament to the passion that Dalia has for the medical field and for the perspective she brings as a first-rate resident and physician. We’re proud of her and can’t wait to see what she does next. Congrats, Dalia!”

We touched based with Karol about her many roles at FMWC and what’s on the horizon after her U of T residency.

What roles or tasks did you perform for the federation?

For the past three years, I’ve been the national vice secretary — the first resident member to be on the executive. Previously, I was on the board as national resident representative. I’ve contributed to planning national meetings and advocacy events, and to increasing learner involvement. I also co-chaired the FMWC’s awards committee.

I’m proud to have contributed to the organization’s growth. It’s exciting to me to see my efforts have a tangible impact, whether in advocacy, leadership or mentorship. Doing this work alongside my residency has made me appreciate the impact we can have as ob-gyns on our patients and colleagues at a national level. I am so grateful to be part of this incredible specialty!

What does winning this medal mean to you?

My first thought is that I am just very humbled that a group of physicians who I consider role models would choose to nominate me for this honour. Being selected to receive a national medal for my extracurricular contributions is not something I expected from my residency!

But this award doesn’t happen without the supportive program leadership, colleagues, co-residents and friends who have helped me balance the commitments of a busy residency with leadership activities that I am passionate about. I’ve been very lucky that we have had two incredible program directors during my residency, Dr. Farrugia and Dr. Kfouri. They continuously uplift and support residents!

What’s next for you, careerwise?

I’m excited to be graduating residency this year — and I’m just as excited to move to Montreal to do my fellowship in Gynecologic Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at McGill! I know I have a lot to learn, but the skills I’ve gathered in residency here at U of T give me confidence that I can be successful while still pursuing leadership opportunities, as with FMWC. It’s become a big part of my personal and professional journey, and I am very grateful to all those who helped me realize this through opportunity and experience.