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About MedChatter
MedChatter is an online resource, social network, and community for students interested in Canadian medical schools. It was created and run by current Canadian medical students.
Please check the links to the right to learn more about the people involved in making MedChatter happen.
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Who’s Kevin?
Kevin Lian is a 2nd year medical student at the University of Toronto (Class of 2012). He graduated from the University of British Columbia with an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacology in 2008. Currently, he sits on the executive board of University of Toronto Medical Society as the Vice-President Finance, and manages hundreds of thousands of dollars in school budget. He also serves as the Senior Managing Editor of the University of Toronto Medical Journal.
Prior to entering medical school, Kevin’s involvement in global health led him to travel to rural Ecuador to establish a sustainable medical clinic that provides free health care to the impoverished locals. Kevin was also involved in research, particularly in the field of diabetes and asthma, leading to publications in reputable scientific journals. He was also the recipient of numerous awards such as the Science Scholar Award, Trek Excellence Award, and Millennium Excellence Award.
Why Medicine?
"Medicine is simply an awesome field. It's a profession that constantly CHALLENGES you to become greater than who you are and DEMANDS personal excellence in almost every way . Patients expect nothing less. Your colleagues expect nothing less. Whether in the clinic, operating room, or hospital ward, your decisions and actions directly influence lives in the most profound ways. To be at a position with such great responsibilities, expectations, and having the opportunity to truly influence people's lives are the main reasons why I've chosen this field. Steve Jobs had once said, "the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is GREAT work". To me, no line of work can be describe more suitably as GREAT work than taking care of peoples' most fundamental needs through the practice of medicine."
Why MedChatter?
"The medical school application process is a long and tedious one. Often success is dependent on accurate information, early preparation, and strategic planning. Since we (the medical students) have experienced it, we would like to make this easier for all future applicants. Through this site, we aim to
- Provide an organized directory with all the information that you’ll ever need for applying to medical schools in Canada.
- Create an online community of students that will aid each other in the application process.
- Provide an insider perspective about the life in medicine so that those who consider careers in medicine can make more informed decisions. "
Who’s Josh?
Joshua Liu is a 1st year medical student at the University of Toronto (Class of 2013). Prior to medical school, he studied Biomedical Sciences at York University for three years (Bsc 2009). With a strong passion for mentoring and educating young people, Joshua founded SMARTS: the Youth Science Foundation Canada’s national youth science network, which connects over 300 young people and 200 schools today. He has served on Shad Valley’s Board of Directors and currently sits on the Advisory Board for Youth Canada.
A presenter, panelist, and keynote speaker at numerous student conferences, Joshua has also shared the podium with the likes of Gerry Barr (Co-Chair of Make Poverty History Canada), Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies), and Toronto Mayor David Miller.
Joshua has received numerous scholarships and awards, including the TD Canada Trust Scholarship for Community Leadership and the CIBC Young Miracle Maker Award. He was also named as one of Canada’s “Top 20 Under 20" in 2005.
In August 2008, Joshua created MedHopeful, a blog to log his experience through the medical school admissions process and share what he's learned with other students. Now, Joshua helps run MedChatter so that even more young people can learn and get involved.
Why Medicine?
"Medicine is an interesting career in the sense that we are making a pretty significant life choice with imperfect information. We can shadow and observe all we want as medical schoolhopefuls, but regardless, it isn’t until many years, lots of dollars, and bucks of sweat later that we actually understand what it means to be a doctor. And by the time that day comes, it’s arguably too late to turn back.
Which is why it’s so important, particularly with medicine, to think about your reasons carefully. While you will find similar qualities and experiences in a variety of professions, you want to pick the career that has the right combination for you. At the time of my application, I felt that medicine was a good fit for me for the following reasons:
(1) It would force me to get up everyday and be productive
(2) I would be making a positive impact in the lives of others
(3) The potential for a more dynamic environment
(4) The opportunity to make difficult decisions that matter
(5) To satisfy my interests in neurology
(6) The opportunity to work with young people and children
(7) A stable, good-paying income is always nice"
Why MedChatter?
"I’m interested in medicine, mentorship, education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth engagement. So I started MedHopeful to share my ideas, many of which are applicable to the medical school, university, and scholarship application processes.
But that wasn't enough. I wanted to create something that got people more involved and connected. I thought it was important that other students interested in medicine, like yourself, had a platform to experience the same developmental process I have been and continue to go through. A platform for other students to give back to the community and help others succeed in the undergraduate and medical worlds.
Then I met three awesome people (Michael, Kevin, and Jerome), and MedChatter was born."
Who’s Jerome?
Jerome is a 2nd year medical student at the University of Toronto (Class of 2012). Prior to medical school, he studied Biomedical Sciences at York University for four years (Honours BSc. 2008).
With an immense passion for social justice, much of Jerome’s work has been involved with anti-poverty organizations such as Campaign2000 and Make Poverty History. Jerome’s work has taken him to the front of the Prime Minister’s Office to speak at an anti-poverty rally to inside the offices of MPs and MPPs to discuss poverty reduction strategies.
When not in school, Jerome can be found involved in such activities as pursuing research in cardiology at St. Michael’s Hospital, co-coordinating the Adventures in Science club which aims to promote medicine among underprivileged youth, and playing the clarinet or piano.
Jerome has received numerous scholarships and awards including the York University Governor’s Award of Distinction Murray Ross Scholarship, the Provincial Millennium Excellence Award, and the Trustee’s Catholic Community Leadership Award.
In the future, Jerome hopes to pursue a career as a cardiologist, obtain a PhD in theology, and practice as a clinician in a third world country.
Why Medicine?
Besides medicine I can think of very few careers that allow you to benefit mankind while at the same time compensate you well for it. There are even fewer careers that also include the job security that physicians have. No matter how bad the economy becomes, or what the state of the world’s affairs are, we will always need doctors to help the sick.
The beauty of medicine is that medical care, at least in Canada, transcends socioeconomic status, celebrity status, and facebook status. One patient can be the homeless person down the street, and my next patient an NHL player who got too drunk one night.
So why medicine you ask? Why not I ask back? At all times I try to live by the mantra “Make yourself a better person, make the world a better place”. I think medicine helps me accomplish both.
Why Medchatter?
To spread the word. I fell in love with medicine and I hope you do too.
Who’s Michael?
Michael Chan is a 1st year medical student at the University of Toronto (Class of 2013). He graduated from McMaster University with a 3-year Bachelor of Health Sciences degree. With a keen interest in issues regarding social justice, Michael has long been an active participant in various social justice initiatives on local, national, and international levels. He enjoys volunteering in his community, especially in hospitals and community centers where he can make a difference in the lives of society’s most vulnerable populations.
Michael currently sits on the first year class council and Inter-Academy council as a Wightman-Berris Academy representative at the University of Toronto medical school. He also teaches MCAT Physics for the Princeton Review. Michael has received many awards including the Provost’s Honour Medal during each of his three years at McMaster, as well as the NSERC Undergraduate Research Award for the past two summers.
Why Medicine?
Medicine is one of those careers that countless people strive for without completely understanding the implications of becoming a medical doctor. The profession has been elevated to such a status of prestige that we, as students, often overlook the finer details. The responsibilities, commitment, and sacrifices are often lost on us. As such, my decision to apply for medical school and to pursue a career in medicine was not one that I made lightly. That’s not to say that I had a perfect understanding about what it truly means to be a physician, but I did try my best to consult friends, family, and mentors, especially those who have experience in the profession. In the end, my decision was made based on a number of reasons: (1) it is a dynamic career with the expectation of lifelong learning and scholarship, (2) the career provides numerous opportunities to use our influence and expertise to help the less fortunate of our global society, (3) there are many opportunities to make important decisions and to advocate for our fellow human beings, and (4) it enables a stable, well-paid lifestyle.
Why MedChatter?
I am interested in sharing my experiences – successes and failures – to help my others make an informed decision about a career in medicine, as well as to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful on such a career path.
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