The CAMSA Board of Director Candidates 2024-2025
Please find our candidates in addition to their platforms and CVs below.
Elections will take place during our virtual Annual General Meeting on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM AST. If you would like to attend the CAMSA AGM, please register using the following link.
Candidates for the CAMSA Board of Director Election 2024-2025
For the Position of President-Elect:
Simal Qureshi
MUN Class of 2025
Transparency. Accountability. Growth. Innovation. These, to me, are the principles of CAMSA and the tenets I wish to build upon this year if elected as President of CAMSA. For the past two years, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of serving as Director of Advocacy, working alongside ambitious individuals and organizations to cultivate meaningful change within our communities. From these valuable collaborative experiences, I have learned that advocating for the wellbeing of medical students and being transparent with our goals ensures accountability, action, and growth in our endeavours. Based on my advocacy experience with CAMSA and my work as the previous MUN MedSoc VP EDI, I hope to utilize the lessons I’ve learned to extend the lens of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility to all upcoming projects within our personal portfolios. I have had the opportunity to be part of CAMSA since its inaugural year. This has provided me with sufficient institutional knowledge, strong interpersonal and communicative skills, and a detailed network of expert organizations and individuals to connect with, learn from, and work with. Together, I hope to: 1) Strengthen engagement between our Atlantic Canadian schools to ensure cohesion, unity, and collegiality, ultimately fostering stronger sense of community. 2) Continue expanding our mentorship program connecting with local mentorship programs within our small Atlantic Canadian communities to ensure we are creating a thorough, broad, and diverse network of contacts individuals can choose to reach out to and connect with. 3) Ensuring all medical learners have equitable access to develop transferable skills, knowledge, and tools to become culturally-safe medical allies. As Directors elected to such positions of power and privilege, I believe it is equally important for us to “unlearn” as it is to learn. For this reason, I will implement training for our BOD, as well as offer sessions to any medical students interested in sessions such as anti-oppressive training and cultural diversity training. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to apply. If elected, I will be sure lead the CAMSA with passion, humility, and kindness. It would be an honour to work not only for you, but with you all.
Kate Lim
Dal NB class of 2026
Hi everyone, my name is Kate Lim from Dalhousie University. I believe that I’m the best candidate for President of CAMSA for several reasons. Firstly, serving as the board administrator for CAMSA has provided me with valuable insights into the various projects undertaken by our directors. By organizing and managing board meetings, I have gained a deep appreciation for the dedication and hard work our team puts into creating a better learning environment for Atlantic medical students. This experience has taught me the importance of providing each director with the necessary support and resources to achieve their goals. Secondly, my role as one of the board executives has exposed me to the responsibilities and challenges faced by past and current presidents. This firsthand experience in team management and leadership has equipped me with the skills necessary to be an effective president. Furthermore, my past leadership roles, such as co-founding a technology in pharmacy network and organizing a healthcare hackathon that brought together students from across Canada, have prepared me to unite Atlantic medical students and enhance their future as doctors in the Maritimes. As the next president, my plans include enhancing our outreach to medical students to increase our presence and impact, strengthening partnerships with external stakeholders, and improving transparency by revamping the CAMSA website to showcase all directors' accomplishments. I am committed to leading CAMSA with integrity and dedication, ensuring it continues to serve the Atlantic medical student community effectively. I am excited about the opportunity to lead CAMSA and am committed to continuing its growth and success. Thank you for considering my candidacy.
For the Position of Director of Communications:
Julie Cormier
MUN Class of 2025
Hello Atlantic medical students!! My name is Julie, and I am an Acadian francophone from Dieppe, NB. I completed a BScs at Dal before starting medical school at MUN (currently in my third year). Atlantic Canada is near and dear to my heart as Acadian culture, which is very important to me, is unique to the region and apparent in many different parts that I have lived in and grown to love. For these reasons, I have already involved myself quite a bit with Atlantic Medical students' affairs; I have been a member of the CAMSA communications committee for two years now and additionally led its bilingualism committee this past year. I also presented at the CoAMS and the Atlantic Medical Student Research Conference last year. I will be doing the same at the upcoming CoAMS. I have also promoted initiatives at MUN to Atlantic Canadian francophones. I did two interviews with Radio Canada to discuss MUN’s provincial day of action, where 30 minutes in the house were earned to advocate for newcomer translation services. I also did an interview on Radio Canada’s “la mouvée” to discuss the Hills for Humanity Fundraiser, which raised over $6 000 for Thrive. If elected, my main objective will be to improve social media engagement by giving the platform to students, for them to discuss their advocacy, projects, personal stories, and experiences, in much of the same way that it is done internally at each school.
For the Position of Director of Projects & Partnerships:
Dustin McKee
Dal NB Class of 2027
I am writing to express my interest for the CAMSA Director of Projects & Partnerships role. With a strong foundation in fostering collaboration, managing projects, and cultivating effective partnerships, I am eager to contribute to CAMSA’s mission of enhancing the Atlantic medical student experience. As past Chair of the Atlantic Student Research Journal, I led initiatives that brought together diverse perspectives. Through collaborative projects, I ensured that the journal served as a platform for meaningful discourse and knowledge exchange within research in NB. This experience equipped me with the skills to effectively manage relationships with various stakeholders and execute projects to a high standard. Furthermore, my role as Co-Chair of UNB Connect the Thoughts provided me with valuable leadership experience. I led a team of ten others in organizing a conference aimed at fostering dialogue and conversation in NB healthcare improvement, and it allowed me to hone my ability to manage complex projects and inspire teamwork. If appointed as the Director of Projects & Partnerships, I would be committed to leveraging my skills and experiences to expand CAMSA’s partnerships, drive innovative projects, and ensure inclusive representation. Together, we can elevate the Atlantic medical student experience and strengthen CAMSA’s impact on the broader medical community. Thank you for considering my candidacy. I am eager to get the chance to contribute my skills, passion, and dedication to CAMSA’s mission.
Kate Lim
Dal NB class of 2026
Hi everyone, my name is Kate Lim from Dalhousie University. I believe that I’m the best candidate for President of CAMSA for several reasons. Firstly, serving as the board administrator for CAMSA has provided me with valuable insights into the various projects undertaken by our directors. By organizing and managing board meetings, I have gained a deep appreciation for the dedication and hard work our team puts into creating a better learning environment for Atlantic medical students. This experience has taught me the importance of providing each director with the necessary support and resources to achieve their goals. Secondly, my role as one of the board executives has exposed me to the responsibilities and challenges faced by past and current presidents. This firsthand experience in team management and leadership has equipped me with the skills necessary to be an effective president. Furthermore, my past leadership roles, such as co-founding a technology in pharmacy network and organizing a healthcare hackathon that brought together students from across Canada, have prepared me to unite Atlantic medical students and enhance their future as doctors in the Maritimes. As the next president, my plans include enhancing our outreach to medical students to increase our presence and impact, strengthening partnerships with external stakeholders, and improving transparency by revamping the CAMSA website to showcase all directors' accomplishments. I am committed to leading CAMSA with integrity and dedication, ensuring it continues to serve the Atlantic medical student community effectively. I am excited about the opportunity to lead CAMSA and am committed to continuing its growth and success. Thank you for considering my candidacy.
For the Position of Director of Advocacy:
Simal Qureshi
MUN Class of 2025
My name is Simal Qureshi and I’m in the class of 2025 at Memorial University. I am excited to announce I am re-running for Director of Advocacy! This year, I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to serve as CAMSA’s DoA, working to accomplish advocacy projects and cultivate inclusivity for our Atlantic medical students. I have had the incredible privilege of being involved with CAMSA since it’s inaugural year. In the past two years, I’ve effectively led a team of Atlantic Canadian students through multiple projects whilst working with student advocacy organizations such as the BMSAC, IMSAC, CAPD, and CQMSA. Amplifying marginalized voices, combatting anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism, as well as working to make our communities more inclusive for individuals regardless of gender, ability, or race is extremely important to me, as demonstrated by my work and future goals. Under the advocacy portfolio, we have created a Needs Assessment asking Atlantic medical students from underrepresented communities the challenges they face. Learning about individuals’ experiences, whilst conducting my own research, enabled me to gain a deeper understanding into the social inequities marginalized communities face. If re-elected, I am hopeful to use this data to create student-centred initiatives. One such initiative we have diligently worked on this year is creating Atlantic Canada’s first cross-collaborative mentorship program. The goal of this program is to foster community through connecting students to residents and physicians of their background including race, ethnicity, gender identity, ability, and speciality of interest. In addition to my work with CAMSA, I am fortunate to have served as this year’s MUN Medical Society’s VP EDI. Leading EDI sub-committees has taught me how to manage my time, delegate tasks, and better understand the social and political landscape, working with both faculty and students to achieve equitable change. I have learned how to respectfully consult and collaborate with organizations to ensure we have proper insight and representation from the communities we are advocating for. In conclusion, while recognizing my own power and privilege, I hope to unmask marginalizing practices and deconstruct existing colonial structures which impact our healthcare system and medical school communities. I hope to lean on my experiences and knowledge to respect and adapt to the needs of others to advocate equitably, and ultimately, ensure students’ wellbeing and success.
For the Position of Director of Finance:
Robin Lake
Dal NS Class of 2025
I believe that my previous work as a Accountant could greatly benefit CAMSA. I have held a number of different positions and am experienced in the preparation of financial statements and budgets, government reporting requirements, etc. Specifically, I am familiar with the unique needs and challenges faced by not for profit organizations. My previous employment provided many opportunities to work as part of a multidisciplinary team (operations, IT, human resources, legal) to further organizational goals. If re-elected, my plans for the upcoming year include streamlining the financial reporting and budgeting process, exploring new funding options to support organizational initiatives, and finalizing the CAMSA medical student awards (in collaboration with other Directors).
For the Position of Director of Student Wellness:
Jessica Canning
MUN Class of 2027
My name is Jessica Canning (she/her), a first year medical student at MUN, and I would love the opportunity to be CAMSA’s Director of Student Wellness! My passions and interests have always been rooted in mental health and wellbeing, and I can promise you I would be dedicated and devoted to this role. I have years of experience advocating for mental health and wellness through student committees and volunteering, and plan to apply these skills to help students across the Atlantic provinces. Medical school can be a stressful time, but through this position I want to plan events that alleviate this burden and help students to find balance and form healthy coping mechanisms. My passion for wellness has inspired me to help others through peer support. I noticed that many of my classmates share a love for reading but find it challenging to make time for this habit in our busy schedules. This realization led me to creating a class book club, which encourages well-being through social connection, emotional expression, and peer support. I understand how important mental health is to our entire wellbeing and am certified in mental health first aid and have experience with peer counselling. Burnout is a significant challenge facing health care workers, and I hope we can develop healthy habits together, by encouraging work-life balance and fostering social connections and community between the Atlantic medical students!
For the Position of Director of Medical Education:
Loukman Ghouti
Dal NS Class of 2027
As a candidate for the position of Director of Medical Education, I am committed to advancing the quality and inclusivity of undergraduate medical education across Atlantic Canada. I aim to bridge gaps in curriculum, advocate for necessary changes, and foster collaboration among provincial medical societies and academic committees. My platform centers on three key pillars: 1.Advocacy and collaboration: •I will actively engage with student representatives, academic committees, and deans of individual schools to advocate for improvements in medical education. Through regular meetings and consultations, I will ensure that student voices are heard and reflected in proposed changes to the curriculum. 2.Strategic planning and implementation: •By identifying gaps and challenges in medical education, I will develop strategic goals and initiatives to address them. These efforts will be guided by ongoing consultations with students and informed by best practices from national and international medical education organizations. 3.Equity, diversity, and inclusion: •I am committed to ensuring that all initiatives and policies prioritize EDI principles. By maintaining open communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, I will work to create an environment where every student feels supported and represented. My two years of experience in various roles within the Dalhousie Medical Student Society have equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in this role. As well, serving as a current member of the CAMSA Med Ed board has provided me with invaluable experience in advocating for advancements in medical education. Overall, I am dedicated to serving the Atlantic medical student community and am confident that my vision and experience make me the best candidate for the position of CAMSA Director of Medical Education.
Christian Awad
MUN class of 2026
As a current member of the CAMSA Medical Education Committee, I am deeply committed to advancing undergraduate medical education across Atlantic Canada. With my thorough understanding of CAMSA's objectives and the specific needs of medical students in our region, I am well-positioned to take on the role of Director of Medical Education and drive meaningful progress. Building upon my existing involvement, I envision enhancing communication and collaboration among Atlantic medical schools. By organizing regular meetings with the Atlantic VP Academics and facilitating consultations with medical student societies and academic committees, I aim to gather comprehensive feedback to inform our initiatives. Furthermore, I will passionately advocate for the implementation of curriculum proposals and strategic goals identified through these consultations. Recognizing the importance of broader connections, I plan to establish robust relationships with national and provincial medical student organizations such as CFMS, OMSA, and FMEQ. Through active participation in relevant meetings and ongoing communication, I will ensure that CAMSA remains informed about national developments and contributes effectively to the broader discourse on medical education in Canada. Lastly, I will uphold CAMSA's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all our initiatives.
For the Position of Director of Social Accountability:
Jennifer Bent
Dal NS Class of 2027
Hi everyone, My name is Jenny and I am from Newfoundland and Labrador. I am a first year medical student attending Dalhousie Medical School. I completed a Master of Science in Medicine and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology. I have been a volunteer within my school and hometown communities for over a decade. Throughout this time, I have been a part of a variety of teams, committees, and councils. I am the former President and Vice-President of the Medical Graduate Student Society at Memorial University and I am a founder of the Strikers Star Development Program; a soccer program for individuals of all exceptionalities and ages within the town of Conception Bay South. I have also been a research assistant with the Centre for Rural health Studies for the past two years, collaborating with rural physicians and researchers to investigate and raise awareness of patient and system-level health issues. These experiences have shown me that through collaboration and advocacy much can be achieved. I am passionate about increasing accessibility to healthcare, spreading awareness of health issues affecting our provinces, and collaborating with patients and the community to address their health care needs. If I am elected as the Director of Social Accountability, my aim will be to increase awareness of health issues affecting our communities, amplify the voices of marginalized populations, promote training and education that responds to community needs, and facilitate opportunities to create partnerships with the communities and patients that we will one day serve. I hope that you consider me for the role of Director of Social Accountability.
For the Position of Board Administrator:
Amber Hodder
MUN Class of 2026
Hi everyone! I am a second year medical student attending MUN in Newfoundland, applying for the position of CAMSA Board Administrator. I believe I would be the best fit as Board Administrator for a number of reasons. First, I have been involved with CAMSA for the past two years. My first year was as a committee member on the Communications and Wellness teams and this past year has been as the Director of Communications. With my experience within CAMSA, I believe I have a great understanding of the organizational habits and needs for the organization. As such, I believe I would uphold the responsibilities of the Board Administrator quite well. Second, I have extensive leadership experience. For example, in addition to the Director of Communications with CAMSA, I am currently the Superintendent of my local St. John Ambulance brigade. In this role, I am responsible for overseeing multiple executive members, ensuring our brigade is functioning well, managing conflicts as they arise and maintaining open communication between myself and our overseeing Provincial Office. I would describe my top three strengths as my organizational and planning skills, my communication skills and my delegation abilities. I am continuously using and strengthening these skills in my current leadership roles and in my professional life as a Registered Nurse. I believe these qualities are essential to the success as Board Administrator and am therefore confident in my ability to perform well in this position. In conclusion, I believe the qualities I have will be best served in the role of Board administrator for CAMSA. I understand that in this role, I would serve as the overall organizational person for CAMSA who is also responsible for collaborating with other Board member through effective communication. I am looking forward to the opportunity of applying and running as an applicant for this position. Thank you!
For the Position of MUN CAMSA Ambassador:
Levi Moulton
MUN Class of 2026
Hi! My name is Levi Moulton. I am a second-year medical student at Memorial University. My experiences in key leadership roles have sharpened my skills in engagement, organization, and advocacy, making me well-suited for the demands of the CAMSA ambassador. As captain of the varsity cross country team and head coach of a local track and field club, I've demonstrated leadership, a commitment to community, and the ability to motivate others. My proficiency in creating marketing materials, particularly for promoting events and initiatives within our club, is a testament to my creative and communicative capabilities. As the Monte Carlo Charity Gala Sponsorship Lead, I excelled in securing sponsorships, developing and maintaining relationships with corporate sponsors, and ensuring their satisfaction with promotional exchanges. This role required a delicate balance of communication, negotiation, and strategic planning—skills that are crucial for the CAMSA Ambassador. I ensured sponsors received proper recognition, mirroring the collaborative and organizational prowess needed to promote CAMSA’s initiatives effectively. Further enhancing my candidacy is my role as Master of Ceremonies for the class of 2027, where I orchestrated activities that engaged and united the class. This experience, similar to the Ambassador’s goal of increasing awareness and participation within the association, showcased my ability to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. I am committed to leveraging my experience and skills to enhance CAMSA’s visibility, ensure a supportive environment for all students, and uphold the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in every aspect of the role.
For the Position of Dal NS CAMSA Ambassador:
Erin Donovan
Dal NS Class of 2025
Hi everyone, I’m Erin and I’m applying to be the DMNS CAMSA Ambassador! I’m a current med3, and am the current VP NS for the Dal Med Class of 2025, a position I have held for all 3 years. My background is in biochemistry at Dalhousie, and in my former life, I also spent many years as a competitive kayaker, and then as a kayaking coach. I think that my experience as VP NS, as well as my experience prior to med school, make me a great candidate for this position. As a coach, I was consistently organizing 40+ children and young adults at a time, as well as my support staff, so I am very comfortable being in a leadership role, collaborating with others, working with busy schedules, and organizing events. My role as VP NS has only strengthened these skills, as well as furthered my communication skills. Being in the VP role also means that I am already well connected with class leadership for all years, and could seamlessly integrate the CAMSA Ambassador role into my duties. I think CAMSA’s mission to increase collaboration among Atlantic medical students is both admirable and important, and I would work tirelessly to advocate for and promote CAMSA within the Dal Med NS community via presentations, word of mouth, emails, graphics, and more. Overall, I have a lot of relevant experience for this position and many ideas for how to promote CAMSA, along with the skills to put those ideas into action.
Cyril O'Brien
Dal NS Class of 2027
Hi everyone! Bonjour tout le monde! I am very excited to present myself for the CAMSA ambassador position! This recently created role offers an exciting opportunity to foster greater collaboration and networking opportunities between the four Atlantic medical schools while increasing student engagement with the association. A little about myself, I grew up in Halifax, speaking both English and French in my household (perks of having an Irish-Canadian and Acadian background!) My fluency in both languages would be an asset when collaborating with the Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick, and the student bodies from the Quebec medical schools. As CAMSA ambassador, I would seek to increase awareness of the association by pushing for the implementation of a trans-Atlantic mentorship program. This would represent an excellent networking opportunity while giving us all valuable insight into the experiences of fellow medical students in the Atlantic provinces. At the heart of this role is the importance of advocating for and serving all of you! As Chair of Halifax’s Youth Advisory Committee, I have extensive experience working with politicians, university and youth associations, and non-profit organizations. I am also in the privileged position to keep my “finger on the pulse” on important issues affecting the municipality and province. I hope this has given you a small snapshot of what I would bring to the table as a CAMSA ambassador, but if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at CyrilObrien@Dal.ca!
For the Position of CFMNB CAMSA Ambassador:
Katarina Laevski
CFMNB Class of 2027
Having always been deeply involved in student life, I am eager to submit my application for the position of CAMSA ambassador. With extensive experience spanning student associations, sports, and volunteering, I am confident that I can seamlessly integrate my dedicated work ethic into this team. As a student athlete, I have refined invaluable skills in motivation, commitment, and time management to achieve my objectives. I am dedicated to leverage these abilities in this role. During my high school years, I served as president of the graduating class and acted as publicist for the student council, which has equipped me with the confidence to lead, organize activities, and manage social media outreach. There are numerous reasons why I am drawn to this position. The opportunity to collaborate with students from diverse backgrounds across the Atlantic provinces and other campuses, while championing the organization’s mission and activities, resonated deeply with me. Furthermore, my proficiency in both English and French ensures smooth communication and promotion in both languages. Since commencing medical school, I have forged meaningful connections and friendship with my peers. Having emerged from my comfort zone, I am eager to enthusiastically promote CAMSA’s events, mission, and values. Despite balancing academic commitment and university soccer, I am now motivated to make a tangible impact and contribute to the preparation of these events. Thank you for considering my application and taking the time to review it.
Questions?
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