Windsor Program - a natural fit
Saad Ansari, Medicine Class of 2016, describes his first experience scrubbing-in on a surgery as surreal. It was a routine C-section, but the experience left a lasting impression on the second year medical student.
The moment reaffirmed his decision to pursue medicine and attend Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.
“I wanted a profession that gave me the opportunity to become a leader,” he said. “I was also attracted to the idea that I would be able to apply scientific knowledge in clinical scenarios and actually help to make a difference in people’s lives.”
He chose the Windsor Program for the amount of opportunities available to students and for the overall student experience.
“What really attracted me was the strength of the medicine program and the great camaraderie between the students of each class,” said Ansari. “Because we spend most of the day together, we have developed a family-like atmosphere.”
Born in England, Ansari moved to Canada at the age of six. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto in Toxicology and Human Biology. Despite having lived in multiple cities, Ansari feels the Windsor Program is the right fit.
“I have developed a comfort level that allows me to focus on learning for life, take part in quality educational experiences and make life-long friends and colleagues.”
This comfort factor is evident in the activities and student groups Ansari is involved in. He is the Vice President Windsor for the 2016 Class Council, helps organize integration weekends, and belongs to several clubs including Operation Green, MedPals and Medical Skills and Surgery Club.
Ansari also works to ensure the success of other medical students. He is one of the executives of Prep101, a student group that provides review sessions to the first-year class prior to exams.
In his spare time, Ansari stays active with recreational sports, including basketball, volleyball, soccer and ultimate Frisbee.
He is considering surgery as a future career choice, but is remaining open to all possibilities. “I’m taking it one day at a time and I think clerkship will really help me decide what I want to do in the future,” he explained.
And studying at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is exactly where he wants to be for now. “I’m having the best time of my life,” he said. “I am lucky to be in such a friendly and supportive atmosphere here.”
