Resident spotlight: Dr. Taryn Taylor, MD Class of 2010

We asked Taryn Taylor, third year resident in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and member of the Clinical Investigator Program to tell us about herself.

Where were you born and raised? I was born in Wallaceburg, Ontario and raised in Chatham, Ontario.

What degree(s) do you have, and from what university(ies)? I have a BSc in Clinical Biochemistry from Western University, and I obtained my MD from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry in 2010. I am currently enrolled in the Clinical Investigator Program which provides support for my doctoral studies at the School of Health Professions Education, Maastricht University, the Netherlands.

What special interests or hobbies do you have? Professionally, I have a keen interest in medical education research, which has led me to the Centre for Education Research & Innovation at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. It has been an exceptional opportunity to connect with other individuals from diverse backgrounds who are motivated to question and propose solutions to the challenges within medical education.

In particular, I'm interested in understanding more about how residents and physicians make judgements about their own ability to manage fatigue in the context of long working hours.

In my spare time, I also enjoy acrylic painting, although balancing my research with clinical duties has temporarily cut into my painting time.

Why did you choose to pursue your residency at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry? My clerkship year in Windsor was a very positive experience. In particular, my ob/gyn rotation caught me entirely off-guard and ultimately led me to consider this specialty. I knew that many of the staff I enjoyed working with and respected in Windsor had been trained in London. That was all the convincing I needed.

What inspires you in your work? Certainly many people feel called to obstetrics and gynaecology because of the joyfulness and excitement that accompanies welcoming new life into the world.

I am no exception to this. But I have found that there is much inspiration to be drawn from patients and their families who choose to be resilient in the face of tragedy or unanticipated challenges.

What has been your greatest experience to date in your residency? If someone had told me four years ago that I would be embarking on doctoral studies in medical education during my residency training, I would've thought they were crazy. And yet I am, thanks to the support of my family/friends, colleagues, and mentors.

Although it's hardly over, I do feel that this opportunity has already exceeded my expectations. I see the advantage of living in both "worlds." My perspective as a medical trainee allows me to engage with the medical education literature in a unique way, just as my scholarly perspective has brought new insight into what I take away from my training experiences.

What do you do when you aren’t working? Although we cover a lot of ground running around the labour and delivery floor, I enjoy staying active outside of the hospital as well. I often attend group classes at Goodlife and I plan to start training for our first annual staff vs. residents dodgeball charity tournament organized by our RTP reps. I'm completely addicted to This American Life podcasts and I like to travel when I can. My most memorable trip involved climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro with a few friends during a blue moon.