Resident Spotlight: Dr. Nisha Arora, Department of Family Medicine
When she’s not busy honing her skills in rural family medicine and musing about the importance of health education to adolescents, first-year resident Dr. Nisha Arora can be found teaching herself how to play musical instruments, visiting museums, and trying out new recipes.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Toronto and Markham, Ontario.
What degrees do you have, and from what universities?
I earned my honors BSc in Human Biology, Neuroscience, and Psychology from the University of Toronto before obtaining my MD at McMaster University.
What special interests or hobbies do you have?
I believe that education is a major factor in allowing individuals to live their lives to their fullest potential, so I love being involved with all levels of schooling. I was actually accepted into teacher’s college, but since I wanted to be a physician it made more sense to be involved with education in a medical setting. Adolescent medicine is a special interest of mine, as I feel that proper health education can empower young people for the rest of their lives, especially as they become more autonomous.
As for hobbies, I enjoy going to the theatre, touring historical landmarks and visiting art galleries and museums. I have been to 10 museums in Ottawa alone. I paint, play the flute and am currently teaching myself guitar and piano. When I was in medical school I was part of the band for the MacMed Musical, and am excited to now be in the process of joining the Stratford Concert Band. In addition to all of that I also jog, do Pilates and search Pinterest for new recipes to try.
Why did you choose to pursue your residency at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry?
The comprehensive and self-directed approach of the family medicine program really impressed me, as well as the program’s emphasis on coaching residents to be teachers and leaders. During my interview, I felt a strong level of collegiality between the other residents and staff that really made me feel welcome. I particularly like the Stratford location as it offers me the benefits of training in rural family medicine, while still maintaining the comforts of city living.
What inspires you in your work?
It may be cliché, but the patients I meet are my inspiration. It’s a privilege to hear different stories about joy, strength and suffering from such a diverse group of people. My patients teach me about resiliency as much as they do about medicine, and by doing so they demonstrate that anything in life is possible.
What has been your greatest experience to date in your residency?
I am fresh at the start of my residency training, but the greatest experience I have had so far was my first delivery. When the mother asked me if I wanted to hold the baby I was thrilled. It confirmed to me that family medicine with low-risk obstetrics is where I belong, and that I have chosen the best place to train.
