Resident Profiles

Dr. Stefan Hamilton, PGY3

Although Dr. Hamilton grew up with physicians in his family, he says that he was relatively late on deciding to follow medicine as a career path. Born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Dr. Hamilton was involved in a lot of sports such as soccer, tennis, golf, and swimming, and spent a lot of his free time with friends. It was during his undergraduate studies that he came to realize that his favourite courses were human anatomy and physiology and medicine really seemed to be the best path for him to follow.

What interested you the most about otolaryngology?

I made my decision to pursue Otolaryngology at a later stage. I knew I wanted to do surgery so I set up observerships in many of the surgical disciplines. Otolaryngology was one of the last disciplines I observed, and I was lucky enough to join a surgeon who was a family friend and who was very welcoming to me. When he showed me the sheer complexity of head and neck anatomy, as well as the wide range of procedures (open, endoscopic, microscopic, etc.) performed by otolaryngologists I was totally sold; no other surgical specialty captivated me in the same way.

The program at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry was an easy decision after I had done my tour of electives. My elective experience in London was much more interactive and appealing than anywhere else; the consultants and residents really made feel like part of the team. I was also reassured by the fact that many of the otolaryngologists who had mentored me in St. John’s were Schulich Medicine graduates themselves.

What is the best advice you received as a medical learner that you find yourself returning to often?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Medicine is a very challenging career path and you can’t achieve success in this field if you aren’t willing to collaborate with other physicians and services, even if it means admitting you don’t know all the answers. This approach has not only enhanced my learning but also ensures patients get the best possible care, which is equally important.

What have you learned about yourself and generally from your interactions with patients?

As I get further on in residency, it’s become clearer to me that our interaction with patients is a unique privilege and one of the most rewarding parts of the job. This is particularly noticeable during rotations without a clinical component, where I don’t get the same satisfaction from my day-to-day duties. For me, there’s no better validation of my work as a physician than being able to tell a patient they’re cancer free or they’ll be able to hear again. In a very busy residency program, it’s these kinds of experiences that motivate and sustain you.

What has surprised you most about residency and what challenges you the most?

The biggest surprise during residency has definitely been the friendships I’ve built during the past few years. I moved to London on my own, leaving most of my friends and family on the east coast. But the transition has been surprisingly easy because of all the very supportive friends I’ve made here, especially within the Otolaryngology program. Whenever I’m unsure about something at work, my co-residents are always happy to help, and I try to do the same for them. I think the biggest challenge during residency has been the significant commitment of time and energy to training as a resident. There is really nothing in medical school that completely prepares you for the challenges of residency, from the increased clinical responsibility to the daily study requirements. However, these are the types of challenges that prepare you for life as a consultant, and I think our program is very mindful of that.

How do you maintain balance in your day-to-day life?

I think it’s very difficult to maintain a good work-life balance during a busy residency program. There are days where I don’t leave the hospital until late in the evening and then still have a few more hours of work to do once I get home. Finding time to maintain my personal life is all about planning ahead. I try to plan my schedule a week in advance, so that I know which days are going to be my busiest, but also which days there will be some time to take care of my life outside of work. I think family and friends play an important role in balancing my life as well. I don’t have any family living in London, but I make sure to set aside a few hours each week to keep in touch with them over the phone, which I think keeps me very levelheaded.

Dr. Laura (Minui) Kim, PGY4

For Dr. Kim, medicine wasn’t a life-long dream, rather a dream that was built on the many experiences and encounters that she had throughout life. She was born and raised in Seoul, Korea and lived there until grade nine, which is when her family immigrated to Canada.  

She says that Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery is the best specialty there is. From the intricacy of the anatomical structures and the physiological workings of the systems in the head and neck region, the variety and delicate nature of the surgical skills required in the specialty, and the treatment of disorders involving the most personal and sensitive functions of the human body such as one’s breathing, swallowing, facial expressions, hearing and balance – it continues to fascinate her.

Why did you choose did you choose the program at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Western University?

Western is one of the strongest programs in Canada. But it is the people of the Department that really drew me into the program. A collegial environment with leaders in the field who are still down to earth, compassionate, and have fun personalities. I couldn't ask for anything more.

What has been the most important lesson you have learned in the past five to 10 years that continues to stay with you as you pursue your educational and professional goals?

The most important lesson I’ve learned in the past number of years is that everyone comes with a story, and that there is something to learn from everyone. I believe this is what keeps me interested in medicine and helps me better myself not only in my educational/ professional environment, but also in my everyday life.

How would you describe your experience with Otolaryngology– Head and Neck Surgery – so far?

My experience has been an incredible and privileged journey. It’s been a great (almost) four years filled with learning and growth that has been so densely packed and yet seems to fly by. I also feel extremely lucky to be going through this journey with such incredible people as my mentors, the allied health care workers, and also my resident cohort.

How do you maintain balance between your residency and personal pursuits?

That is a great question! Some might disagree, but personally, I think it’s difficult to completely tease out residency from your personal life. I am also not a big fan of trying to formally create balance. When the demands of residency are greater, it is what occupies most of my life. When there are other aspects of my life that need attention then I try my best to shift focuses. It would be a lie to say there weren’t sacrifices that had to be made, but I’ve also had time to do the things I enjoy simply for pleasure like painting, graphic art, and traveling. I’ve also recently picked up calligraphy.

Dr. Horace Cheng, PGY5

Dr. Cheng grew up in Hong Kong and developed a great appreciation for the outdoors and hiking, thanks to his parents. He had a love a mathematics and physics, which initially led him to study electrical engineering. He found himself struggling to see the social benefit from his work as an engineer, and began studying in his off hours to pursue medicine.   

Dr. Cheng was drawn to Otolaryngology because it encompasses some of the most important functions that make us who we are. 

“The idea that we can treat the diseases that threaten these important functions and the very sense of oneself using modern medicine and surgery fascinated me,” Dr. Cheng said. “I was also drawn to the various high-tech instruments such as cochlear implant, endoscopic surgery, and robotic surgery used in the field of otolaryngology.”

What is the best advice you received as a medical learner that you find yourself returning to often?

It is far more rewarding to understand the “why” than to blindly memorize facts and lists.

What has surprised you most about residency and what challenges you the most?

I was surprised by how fast residency has gone by. Five years seemed like a long time from the start but now looking back it flew by rather quickly. 

How do you maintain balance in your day-to-day life?

It was difficult to maintain balance during residency.  For instance, studying for the Royal College exam during my fifth year meant that I had little time for family and leisure. Being creative such as spending family time outdoors gave me opportunities to “recharge” in more than one aspect. I am very thankful for my wife and family for being very understanding and supportive during these trying times during residency.