New U of T ob-gyn residents excited by possibilities of studying in Toronto

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Pics from intro to faculty and senior residents (at pizzeria)

The ob-gyn PGY1s have arrived.

In early July, the 15 physicians in the 2025 cohort assembled for a welcome with Julia Kfouri, the residency program director and Andrea Page, associate director of the residency program, with appearances by Kellie Murphy, chair of the department, and Carmen McCaffrey, the head of post-graduate medical education wellness.

The business of the day was to introduce the residents to the leadership team and brief them on expectations for their studies: the types of exams and assessments, how they can complete the various entrustable professional activities (EPAs) for daily feedback, as well as the electives available to them, among others

But the real draw was getting together with colleagues for the first time as official U of T ob-gyn residents. Julia Kemzang Emogang, when asked what she was looking forward to, said, “I’m excited to make new friends in the city and get to know all my co-residents.”

Residents wearing scrub caps, one row standing, on sitting — L-r, top row: Julia Kemzang, Tali Glazer, Ly-Anh Reid, Emily Clark, Brenden Osborne, Isabella Reis, Emily Grant, Hannah Holmes, Ayma Aqib, Tara Newman, Yasaman Javadzadeh. Bottom row: Mollie Manley, Tesfaye Tufa, Katherine Simpson-Gallow, Claudia Majdell

They started bonding immediately over the Toronto restaurant scene. “I’m really looking forward to all the food,” said Emily Clark, to murmurs of assent. (The welcome session was followed by an introduction to faculty members and more senior residents at a pizzeria in mid-July.)

Brendan Osbourne was more specific: “I’m looking forward to all the different coffee shops. I’m a coffee snob, so I’m looking forward to finding my favorites.”

A few gave voice to challenges they might face. Isabella Reis sounded like a true Torontonian when she mentioned she was worried about transit, while Tara Newman was hoping to see the end of all the registration emails in her inbox.

Ly-Anh Reid was concerned how she would adapt to the overnight shifts.

“I come from Quebec, where you can’t work more than 16 hours in a row as a medical trainee,” she said. “It’ll be interesting, doing lots of flipping back and forth, from 24 hours to daytime shifts.”

Symbols are important, especially at moments like this, at a beginning."

Kellie Murphy

(photo by Matthew Tierney)

Scrub caps from Kenya, on table.

The residents were presented with scrub caps that faculty members — including Murphy, Rachel Spitzer, professor and vice chair of global women's health and advocacy, and Michèle Farrugi, associate professor — had brought back from a recent trip to Kenya in support of the department’s AMPATH-U of T program. The caps were produced by individuals affected by cancer, HIV and other chronic illnesses at a craft and business training social enterprise called Creation Hive. Each cap has a unique textile pattern.

“Symbols are important, especially at moments like this, at a beginning,” said Murphy. “And though the way forward may seem uniform to the trainees, each will chart their own path through the next years as they meet and overcome personal and professional challenges, and as they unlock opportunities. I’m excited for what’s in store for them.”