Meet our Paediatric Residents

Renata Cecccaci
Hometown: Windsor, Ontario
Education: Undergraduate Studies at Western University, Medical School at McMaster University

Outside of medicine, i love to back, crocher, and spend time with friends and family! I am very excited to join the Western Paediatrics Community!





Dana Chemali
Hometown: France
Education: I moved to Toronto for my undergraduate studies and then went to medical school at the University of Melbourne.

My family is from London and I spent my summers growing up here so I am thrilled to be moving to London and joining the Western Paediatrics team for my residency! Outside of
medicine, I enjoy travelling, running, cooking and spending time with family.


  

Courtney Flemming
Hometown: Lasalle, Ontario
Education: attended the University of Windsor for my undergraduate studies, followed by medical school at Western University.

In my free time, you'll often find me playing soccer, taking my golden retriever for walks, baking desserts, or trying to solve the daily Wordle puzzles. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue my medical training with the Paediatrics team at Western!

 
Nicole Hajjar
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Education: I completed my undergraduate degree at Dalhousie University and then headed to Queen’s University for medical school.

Outside of medicine, I love spending time outdoors, yoga, gardening, and cooking! I am super excited to join the Western Pediatrics team and explore London!

Larissa Hum
Hometown:Vancouver, BC
Education: I completed my undergrad and medical training at UBC

Outside of medicine, I enjoy volleyball, weightlifting, art (especially bullet journaling and hand lettering), reading, and playing video games. As a Vancouverite I must also include an obligatory mention of hiking. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and joining the Western Paeds team!

Andrea-Diana Ignat
Hometown: Toronto
Education: I completed medical school at McMaster University, and undergrad at the University of Toronto in Chemistry and Neuroscience

I am now overjoyed to be joining the Western Pediatrics dream team!I love exploring and photographing my adventures, the magic of a theatre production, learning how to cook traditional Romanian dishes, and sharing it all with friends and family.

Abiola Oladepo
Hometown: Nigeria
Education: I earned my medical degree from College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).

My passion for pediatric medicine started from medical school and it is a great privilege to join the Western Pediatrics community. I have lived in Ottawa for four years; I am excited and look forward to experiencing life in London with you all. In my free time, you might find me: watching or playing soccer and lawn tennis with friends, engaging in outdoor activities with my kids or playing strategy video games. I also enjoy taking road trips with family and friends to visit new places

Stephanie Scott
Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Education: I completed by undergraduate degree in Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization at McMaster, followed by Medical School at McMaster.

I’m ecstatic to be beginning my career in Pediatrics here at Western! I love all things medical education and child advocacy. Outside of medicine, you’ll find me playing (and being mediocre at) every possible sport, running, hiking, cooking up a storm, spending time with friends and family, and researching cats to foster. Looking forward to meeting everyone and beginning this journey!

Devika Singh
Hometown: Vaughan, Ontario
Education: I completed both my undergraduate degree in Health Sciences and my medical degree at McMaster University.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy all things related to swimming and water sports,traveling, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. Fun fact: My parents met and trained in this program, and I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to be joining the Western Paediatrics family too!

Mary Zhao
Hometown: Markham, Ontario
Education: have spent the past 8 years in Vancouver, BC completing my undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of British Columbia.

I am very excited to be returning to my home province to join the Pediatrics team at Western! Outside of medicine, I enjoy running,going to spin class, cooking, music, and spending time with friends and family.

Ali Aaisham
Hometown: London, Ontario

Karina Burke
Hometown: Southwestern Ontario

Hi everyone! My name is Karina Burke, I was born and raised in southwestern Ontario and I am thrilled to be joining the Western Paediatrics team! I completed medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Outside of medicine I enjoy all things watersports, volleyball, baking, and travelling!

Jessica Garabon
Hometown: Harrow, Ontario

Hello! My name is Jessica Garabon and I was raised in Harrow, Ontario. I completed my undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at the University of Windsor followed by a Master’s degree in Neuroscience and medical school here at Western University. I could not be happier about continue my training in Paediatrics here in London! Outside of medicine, some of my favourite things include traveling, the Raptors, houseplants, and spending time with my beagle and cat.

Shamez Kachra
Hometown: Markham, Ontario

Hi everyone, my name is Shamez and I grew up in Markham, Ontario. I completed my undergraduate degree in Pharmacology at Western University, followed by medical school at McMaster University — both of which have allowed me to develop a passion for medical education and student programming. I am very excited to be returning to London to continue my training in Pediatrics. Outside of medicine, I love spending time outdoors, going to a beach/park/escape room with friends, board game nights, hiking, and exploring other countries. Looking forward to meeting everyone and starting this new journey together!

Angus Lee
Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario

Hello everyone! My name is Angus and I’m really excited to join the Paediatrics teamhere! I’m from Hamilton where I did my undergrad, and recently finished medical schoolhere at Western. Outside of medicine I enjoy cooking, rock climbing, music, andwatching basketball.

Bryn Longcroft-Harris
Hometown: Victoria, British Columbia
 
Hi everyone! My name is Bryn and I was born and raised in Victoria, BC. I completed my undergraduate degree at Dalhousie University, before moving back to the west coast for medical school at UBC’s Island Medical Program. Outside of medicine, I love reading, being outside, and spending time with my friends and family. I am so excited to join the Western Peds group and have a new adventure in London!

Moshira Mahran
Hometown: Oakville, Ontario

Hello everyone! My name is Moshira Mahran and I am from Oakville, Ontario. I studied medicine abroad and I am thrilled to be joining the Paediatrics program at Western. I enjoy cooking, reading, long walks, travelling, and spending time with family and friends. I can’t wait to start this new chapter and I look forward to meeting everyone.

Alexandra McDonald
Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario

Hello! My name is Alex and I am from Mississauga, Ontario. I completed my undergraduate degree in Math at the University of Waterloo before going off on a new tangent to complete medical school at Western. In my free time you can find me reading mystery novels, trying new recipes, figure skating, or tending to my plants. I am so excited to be staying at Western for my paediatrics training!

Sarah Pathak
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

Sujitha Srinathan
Hometown: Scarborough, Ontario

Hi everyone! My name is Sujitha, and I was born in Scarborough, Ontario. I grew up in the GTA and went to the University of Toronto for my undergraduate studies, followed by medical school at the University of Ottawa. Outside of medicine, you can find me spending time outdoors, playing basketball, and trying new restaurants with friends and family. I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Western Pediatrics community!

Shwetha Suresh
Hometown: Kitchener, Ontario

Hello! My name is Shwetha and I am from Kitchener, ON. I completed my undergraduate studies at University of Waterloo in Biomedical Sciences and attended medical school at University of British Columbia. Outside of medicine, I enjoy singing, dancing, hiking, and travelling. Looking forward to meeting my colleagues and an exciting and adventurous journey at Western!

Kawmadi Abeytunge
Hometown: Winsor, ON

Beshoy Botros
Hometown: Egypt
Education: MD (Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt)

What are your future goals? My future goals are fairly general at the moment but moving forward I want to always be involved in teaching and clinical research.

Words of advice for future residents? Enjoy every stage of the journey, during medical school or CaRMS. Make sure to enjoy every moment as much as possible, each stage of life has its perks.

Do you have any secret or surprising facts about the program or London? I am new to London, so I am discovering the city myself, but the city has a lot of green spaces for hikes and Biking, make sure to explore them.

Emily Dzongowski
Hometown: London, ON

Stephanie Hosang
Hometown: London, ON
Education: BHSc Honours Health Sciences (Western University), MD (University of Toronto)

What are your future career goals? At this early point in my residency, I’m keeping an open mind as to my future in paediatrics. General paediatrics is definitely intriguing to me, but I’m also open to subspecializing. Ask me again in two years!

Words of advice for future residents? My advice to those going through the CaRMS process would be to try your best to be present and enjoy the journey. It can be a stressful and overwhelming time for sure, but it’s also the point that you’ve been working towards for the past four years! Enjoy the process of self-reflection, be open to meeting new people and new experiences, and be confident in the reasons that brought you here in the first place 😊 Good luck!

Do you have any secret or surprising facts about the program or London? I don’t think this is much of a secret, but all of the residents (including upper years) are amazing human beings who are extremely welcoming and supportive. They really make you feel at home here. And, there’s also an amazing snack cupboard in the resident lounge.

 Olubunmi Ogunsanya
 Hometown: Nigeria
 

 James Payne
 Hometown: London, ON
 Education: BSc Honours Chemistry (Queen's) and BA Honours Economics (Queens), MD  (Western)

What are your future career goals? I've always wanted to do Haem/Onc, but my mind is open!  For now I'll settle for becoming a functional Paediatrician.

Do you have any secret or surprising facts about the program or London? The city was a strong contender to serve as the capital of Canada, but it's proximity to our occasionally aggressive American neighbours rendered it an unsuitable choice.

Natalie Sloof
Hometown: Guelph, ON
Education: BSc Honours Kinesiology (McMaster), MD (Western University)

Words of advice for future residents: Find a program that cares about you, not just as a learner, but as a person!

Do you have any secret or surprising facts about the program or London? Southwestern Ontario has so many hidden gems - plenty of green space, beaches, and lovely little towns to explore on a day off.

Amanda Stojcevski
Hometown: Sarnia, ON
Education: BSc Honours Life Sciences, double majour in Neuroscience and Animal Physiology (University of Toronto), MD (Western University)

What are your future goals? To become a confident and capable pediatrician, but I haven't decided if I am going to specialize just yet! 

Words of advice for future residents? Prioritize doing what you love, and spending time with those you care about!

Helena Rae Woodhouse
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Education: BSc General Science (University of Ottawa), MD (Queen's)  

What are your future goal?: I'm hoping to have a multi-faceted career that mixes inpatient medicine, specialty clinics, medical education and administrative roles. However, I am trying to keep a very open mind when it comes to career and specialty possibilities, so we'll see where life takes me!

Words of advice for future residents?: Really enjoy the breaks when they come. Whether it's the break between graduating medical school and starting Residency, only working a half day clinic, or taking scheduled vacation, know that you deserve the rest and don't ever feel guilty for not studying during that time!

Do you have any secret or surprising facts about the program or London?: I'm still discovering London myself, but there are certainly lots of restaurants and parks to explore!

Melissa Chiu 
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Education: BSc. Honours (UBC), MD (UBC)

What are your future goals? I'm still trying to decide whether I want to subspecialize or work as a general paediatrician, but I’m just so glad to be working with kids and their families every day.  I hope I am helping them through their journeys as they work their way through their illnesses and the medical world.

Words of advice for future residents?  Have fun during the CaRMs tour!  Honestly, all the programs are great and full of wonderful people. Try to see what the other residents think about their day to day life in the program to decide which program works best for you. Different people value different things and you want to find a program where your co-residents and the program have similar values as you.  Good luck!

Do you have any secret or surprising facts about the program or London? The teaching here is absolutely amazing, whether it be staff or other fellow residents.  Everyone cares about your learning and puts their best efforts in to teach you no matter what service you’re on. 
 

Justin Garabon
Hometown: Harrow, ON
Education: BSc Honours Forensic Science (University of Windsor), MSc Biochemistry (University of Windsor) MD (Western)

What are your future goals? At this stage in residency, my future goals are fairly general. I hope to practice in an academic institution so I can continue to teach and be involved in research. So far, I have an interest in acute care and I plan to explore more specific paths as I progress through my residency training.

Words of advice for future residents? Don’t forget to take time for yourself! We all know that is important, it is definitely easy to forget when things get busy.

 
Karissa Holyer
Hometown: St.Catherines 
Education: BSc Honours Health Science/Child Life Specialist (McMaster), MD (University of Toronto) 

What are your future goals? I’m currently planning on going into general paediatrics. As a first-year resident, it is hard to think about the end of residency so I definitely don’t feel like I have it all figured out! I am keeping my mind open as I get to learn more about different subspecialties in residency.

Words of advice for future residents? Make the most of the opportunities that you have. Every block has many opportunities for learning and experiences that will make you a better physician in the future, regardless of what you want to go into at the end of the day.

Do you have any secret or surprising facts about the program or London? I always thought that London was a medium-sized program but was surprised to discover how it feels like a smaller community. I have really enjoyed getting to know the other R1s and have felt very supported by the upper year residents. The staff that I have worked with have created a good working and learning environment. 

  
Sally Lin 
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Education: BSc Honours (Western), MSc (Western), MD (McMaster)

Words of advice for future residents? CaRMS can be super overwhelming and it's easy to get bogged down by all the program details. While all of that is important, at the end of the day, every Paediatrics program in Canada will train you to be an excellent paediatrician, regardless of their rotation structure/number of CTU blocks/etc. Take a minute and look at the big picture: where do you want to be? where do you feel the most supported? Trust your gut and you will find your home! 

Do you have any secret or surprising facts about the program or London? I don't think this is a surprise or a secret, but one thing I love about the program is how wonderful and supportive the residents are. No matter what kind of day you are having, you can always find someone to share a laugh with or vent to (while snacking on the stash of candy in the resident snack cupboard).  Outside of the program, I love spending time at Gibbon's Park! It's a peaceful escape from the busy hospital life, and have lots of trails for running or hiking.

 
Maggie McCann
Hometown: Barrie, ON
Education: BSc Honours Health Science (McMaster), MSc Public Health (University of Guelph), MD (University of Toronto) 

Words of advice for future residents? 1.Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Now is your time to learn! 2.Take the time to get to know your co-residents; they will be with you for the next 4 years.

Do you have any secret or surprising facts about the program or London? 1.Snack cupboard! Snacks are provided for residents on call (which can make a call shift much better!). 2. The view from the CTU Blue room is beautiful! You can watch storms roll in or the sunrise in the morning. 3.Lots and lots of beautiful trails along the Thames River. 
 

 Emma Metivier
 Hometown: Toronto, On
 Education: BSc (University of Guelph), MD (St. George University)

What are your future career goals? I hope to pursue an Endocrinology fellowship. 

Words of advice for future residents? Starting residency can be intimidating, especially as an IMG, but the group of Western Paediatric residents have been so welcoming and supportive. They have made the transition to residency so much fun.

Do you have any secret or surprising facts about the program or London? London has a HUGE catchment area which means we see a variety of patients. In my first few months of residency, I have already seen a ton of interesting cases.

Madhavi Prasad 
Hometown: St John's, NFLD
Education: BSc (Western University), MD (Western University)

What are your future career goals? My future goals involve sub specializing within paediatrics and working at an academic centre. I am passionate about teaching and global health and would love to be involved in medical education as well as local and international outreach. 

Words of advice for future residents? My words of advice to future residents are to take each day one at a time. The entire process of residency applications is very overwhelming but it will all be worth it. Rely on your friends and family, these connections will help you as you go through this process.

Do you have any secret or surprising facts about the program or London? A surprising fact about London is that there so many hidden trails and pathways to explore. Even after living here for so many years, I always find new paths to explore!

 
 
Farina Rafiq
Hometown: Truro, NS
Education: BSc (North Carolina), MD (Dalhousie) 

What are your future career goals? I would love to be a community paediatrician, practicing in a smaller sized community.

Words of advice for future residents? Medicine is a challenging field to work in, regardless of the speciality. So, find a program where you feel comfortable interacting with your future co-residents. Having supportive co-residents makes a big difference to your mental health!

Jessica Willis 
Hometown: Dundas, ON
Education: MD (National University of Ireland Galway)

What are your future career goals? I am looking forward to getting involved in social paediatrics and exploring what I want to do after residency. 

Words of advice for future residents? Do not be afraid to ask plenty of questions – everyone is here to help you learn and to support you!

Do you have any secret or surprising facts about the program or London? London has quite a few lovely areas for walking/running/cycling!