Sep 27, 2024

New residents celebrated at mix-and-mingle event

Residents

Chair Dr. Kellie Murphy and residency program director Dr. Julia Kfouri welcome 15 first-year residents to the department

(photo by Joseph George)

Year-one residents (left to right): Emma Sparks, Eliot Winkler, Harsukh Benipal, Hafsa Zia, Grace Zhou, Abby Ross, Kevin Kuan, Jordan Shapiro and Faridah Habib. (See story for full list.)

By Matthew Tierney

On Monday evening, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology celebrated the arrival of our newest residents and the exciting future that lay ahead of them. The post-graduate year one (PGY1) residents shared stories with faculty and senior residents over light fare and drinks — and they took more than a few group selfies.

“A biggest, warmest welcome to our PGY1s,” Dr. Julia Kfouri, Director, Residency Program, said while presenting each year-one resident with their official department zip-up jackets. “I know we have the most incredible group, and it’s been so fun getting to know each of you.”

The 15 PGY1s began their residency on July 1, 2024. They are currently in the first stage of Competency by Design (CBD) training: the transition to discipline. This first stage introduces residents to their specialty and to the hospital sites where they will work to achieve the stage’s milestones, what’s known as entrustable professional activities.

The learning comes fast. PGY1 Eliot Winkler has already banked a memorable moment.

“I did my first skin-to-skin C-section two weeks ago, from start to finish, with staff there to support me. It was really cool,” he said, adding with a laugh, “It was 4:45 in the morning.”

I’m excited to feel that I’m making a difference in the lives of the patients

Hafsa Zia, year-one resident

PGY1 Abby Ross, reflecting on why she chose a placement at U of T, said that even just in these first few months, she knows so much more than as a student.

“It’s a great program,” she said. “There are lots of opportunities here to see high acuity situations, and I also really like the city, living in Toronto.”

“It seemed like a long journey to get here,” said PGY1 Kevin Kuan, “and the welcome from senior staff makes me feel like I’m in a good place.”

Kfouri in her remarks made mention of the faculty, pointing out how much they do for their trainees and how much they care, and that the more senior residents in attendance were a testament to the community spirit and the strength of their voices in the department.

The new residents will be happy for their support.

“Yes, medicine is tiring, it’s tough,” said PGY1 Hafsa Zia, “but I’m excited to feel that I’m making a difference in the lives of the patients, to be able to say to myself, ‘You know what, I helped someone today. That was worth it.’”

That drive to make a difference is common among all our first-year residents. And it is worth celebrating.