Resident of the Month Winners - 2020
Please look below at the winners of Maritime Resident Doctors' Resident of the Month award for 2020. For more info on the award including criteria and an application form, please CLICK HERE.
December 2020 - Adil Bata (PGY4, Cardiology)
Maritime Resident Doctors is pleased to announce Dr. Adil Bata, a PGY4 in Cardiology, is our latest Resident of the Month.
Our Resident of the Month award aims to improve resident well-being by recognizing and rewarding resident colleagues with exceptional achievements while maintaining a work-life balance. The criteria includes academic accomplishments, research activities, social events, family life, community involvement, humanitarian service, leadership, and more.
Dr. Bata was nominated by his peers, who cited his leadership and all-around ability as a resident.
"Adil Bata is a true leader in the QEII," his nomination says. "As a physician he is renowned for his clinical acumen, bedside manner, and sound judgement. He excels both as a teacher and a colleague, with a knack for turning difficult subjects, into understandable and relatable. Adil works hard as a researcher as well. After working with Adil, I have been nothing but impressed with his presence at the QEII."
The strength of Dr. Bata's candidacy extends beyond his professional duties.
"Finally and perhaps most importantly, Adil is a fun colleague and always great to chat with. Adil now spends a lot of his free time raising his new puppy with his partner."
As the winner of this award, Dr. Bata will receive a $100 gift card.
Congratulations from everyone at Maritime Resident Doctors on winning this award.
November 2020 - Erin Westby (PGY5, Dermatology)
Maritime Resident Doctors is pleased to announce Dr. Erin Westby, a PGY5 in Dermatology, is our latest Resident of the Month.
Our Resident of the Month award aims to improve resident well-being by recognizing and rewarding resident colleagues with exceptional achievements while maintaining a work-life balance. The criteria includes academic accomplishments, research activities, social events, family life, community involvement, humanitarian service, leadership, and more.
Dr. Westby was nominated by her peers, who cited her ability to balance life with all of her responsibilities as a chief resident.
"Erin is the true embodiment of balance, never neglecting her duties as chief resident, while simultaneously being an incredible mother to a very active toddler," it read. "She expertly juggles these roles, all the while finding time to study for her rapidly approaching Royal College exam. She is always available to medical learners to provide guidance, support, and teach. She has valiantly advocated for her fellow residents both at a divisional and departmental level and is unfailingly willing to address any and all concerns we have. She does all this and more with poise, without ever compromising the quality of her work or patient care."
In addition to her work, Dr. Westby makes a massive contribution as a colleague and teammate during all that 2020 has to offer.
"Above all, however, Erin brings joy to those around her," her nomination goes on to say. "Her positive attitude and witty sense of humour can truly brighten any day, and we all have her to thank for bringing a bit more laughter to our lives during these uncertain times. We have all been made better by working with her, and I can think of no one more deserving of this award."
As the winner of this award, Dr. Westby will receive a $100 gift card.
Congratulations from everyone at Maritime Resident Doctors on winning this award.
September 2020 - Maureen Okonkwo (PGY7, Maternal-Fetal Medicine)
Maritime Resident Doctors is pleased to announce Dr. Maureen Okonkwo, a PGY7 in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, is our latest Resident of the Month.
Our Resident of the Month award aims to improve resident well-being by recognizing and rewarding resident colleagues with exceptional achievements while maintaining a work-life balance. The criteria includes academic accomplishments, research activities, social events, family life, community involvement, humanitarian service, leadership, and more.
Dr. Okonkwo was nominated by her peers, who cited her hard work and success at balancing a busy work life with a busy home life.
"Maureen is wonderful woman and an excellent resident," it said.
"She has had to balance right from the start of her residency in the OBGYN program, when she had premature triplets, raising them up (all healthy) then coming back to finish her program and even continuing her studies in a fellowship and excelling in that."
As the winner of this award, Dr. Okonkwo will receive a $100 gift card.
Congratulations from everyone at Maritime Resident Doctors on winning this award.
August 2020 - Alex Whelan (PGY5, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation)
Maritime Resident Doctors is pleased to announce Dr. Alex Whelan, a PGY5 in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, is our latest Resident of the Month.
Our Resident of the Month award aims to improve resident well-being by recognizing and rewarding resident colleagues with exceptional achievements while maintaining a work-life balance. The criteria includes academic accomplishments, research activities, social events, family life, community involvement, humanitarian service, leadership, and more.
Dr. Whelan was nominated by his peers, who cited his hard work as chief as deserving of recognition.
"He advocated for educational opportunities for residents, organized social events, checked in with residents and spearheaded resident wellness throughout all the changes with coronavirus," his nomination read.
It also commended him for his character, humour and ability to work his love of golf into teaching topics.
"He is open to feedback and works hard to ensure residents feel listened to and have their needs met," it reads. "He has a laid-back approach to leadership. He also leads academically, preparing incredible teaching resources, and is exemplary with his research output."
As the winner of this award, Dr. Whelan will receive a $100 gift card.
Congratulations from everyone at Maritime Resident Doctors on winning this award.
July 2020 - Lauren Adolph (PGY5, Obstetrics and Gynaecology)
Maritime Resident Doctors is pleased to announce Dr. Lauren Adolph, a PGY5 in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, is our latest Resident of the Month.
Our Resident of the Month award aims to improve resident well-being by recognizing and rewarding resident colleagues with exceptional achievements while maintaining a work-life balance. The criteria includes academic accomplishments, research activities, social events, family life, community involvement, humanitarian service, leadership, and more.
Dr. Adolph was nominated by her peers, who cited her leadership and support during the COVID crisis as one of the key reasons for her nomination.
"Lauren completely exemplifies what it means to be a colleague, leader and friend," her nomination said. "She has been a patient, understanding, and committed chief resident through these challenging times. From making innumerable new schedules to endlessly advocating on our behalf, she has taken everything in stride."
In a unique and unpredictable time, Dr. Adolph has been a stabilizing force for her program and her colleagues.
"She has managed to keep all of us organized and happy, while also balancing her own fellowship applications and home life. She always seems to find time to acknowledge others for their achievements, and I can’t think of someone more deserving of having their own successes appreciated."
As the winner of this award, Dr. Adolph will receive a $100 gift card.
Congratulations from everyone at Maritime Resident Doctors on winning this award.
June 2020 - Haotian Wang (PGY5, Anesthesia)
Maritime Resident Doctors is pleased to announce Dr. Haotian Wang, a PGY5 in Anesthesia, is our latest Resident of the Month.
Our Resident of the Month award aims to improve resident well-being by recognizing and rewarding resident colleagues with exceptional achievements while maintaining a work-life balance. The criteria includes academic accomplishments, research activities, social events, family life, community involvement, humanitarian service, leadership, and more.
Dr. Wang was nominated by his peers, who cited his leadership as chief during the COVID crisis as one of the key reasons for his nomination.
"His commitment to our safety, security and clinical experience has been nothing short of amazing," the nomination said. "He has ensured that we have made the most out of dynamic learning opportunities, while working with our department to ensure that we feel safe and well prepared at work for airway interventions with potential COVID patients."
The nomination goes on to praise Dr. Wang as a complete residents and great chief.
"His dedication to his clinical knowledge and skill is acknowledged and highly respected throughout our department and beyond," his nomination said. "He is also known for is his approachable nature, along with the timely manner in which he deals with issues that have been brought to his attention. He is thoughtful, selfless and kind to others, and this award would be a great way to recognize his quiet and caring leadership style."
As the winner of this award, Dr. Wang will receive a $100 gift card.
Congratulations from everyone at Maritime Resident Doctors on winning this award.
May 2020 - Rebecca George (PGY3, Neurology) and Rachel Sullivan (PGY2, Internal Medicine)
Maritime Resident Doctors is pleased to announce Dr. Rebecca George (PGY3, Neurology) and Dr. Rachel Sullivan (PGY2, Internal Medicine), is our latest Resident of the Month.
Our Resident of the Month award aims to improve resident well-being by recognizing and rewarding resident colleagues with exceptional achievements while maintaining a work-life balance. The criteria includes academic accomplishments, research activities, social events, family life, community involvement, humanitarian service, leadership, and more.
Nominated by her peers, Dr. Rebecca George was selected for her strength in many categories.
"Rebecca is noteworthy across the board, a resident who stands out for her tireless dedication to patient care and teamwork," her nomination said. "This is a resident who goes above and beyond for her patients; and perhaps of equal importance, a resident who goes above and beyond for her team. Whether that includes nurses, OT/PT, med students, etc. she is collaborative, takes time to teach, and (is) always willing to learn. She is respected outside of her department for her approachability and professionalism."
In the case of Dr. Rachel Sullivan, her nomination outlined all of the tasks and responsibilities she has had to juggle while being a chief during the COVID crisis.
"Rachel is a chief resident for the Internal Medicine program, during these especially challenging times," her nomination said. "Along with her co-chief, she has to had to respond to what seems like weekly changes to policies and resident availability. She always makes an effort to keep us informed, and asks for regular feedback. She does all this while juggling the responsibilities of being the mom of an infant!"
As the winners of this award, Dr. George and Dr. Sullivan will each receive a $100 gift card.
Congratulations from everyone at Maritime Resident Doctors on winning this award.
April 2020 - Alex Botsford (PGY5, Radiology)
Maritime Resident Doctors is pleased to announce Dr. Alex Botsford, a PGY5 in Radiology, is our latest Resident of the Month.
Our Resident of the Month award aims to improve resident well-being by recognizing and rewarding resident colleagues with exceptional achievements while maintaining a work-life balance. The criteria includes academic accomplishments, research activities, social events, family life, community involvement, humanitarian service, leadership, and more.
Dr. Botsford was nominated by his peers, and his nomination described him as a former chief and leader in the program.
"As chief he was constantly advocating for our resident cohort (sometimes to his own disadvantage) for instance by improving our call structure to help improve our education and prevent resident burnout," his nomination reads.
"He leads by example in so far as he is one of the top residents academically in our program but is always humble in spite of his talents. A perpetual hard worker who is always the first to step in and cover call when a co-resident is in need."
His attributes go beyond being a great resident.
"In addition to his strengths as a doctor, Alex is fun and very funny and an awesome person to be around outside of work. Truly deserving of this award."
As the winner of this award, Dr. Botsford will receive a $100 gift card.
Congratulations from everyone at Maritime Resident Doctors on winning this award.
March 2020 - Renee Amiro (PGY3, Family Medicine Emergency Medicine Saint John)
Maritime Resident Doctors is pleased to announce Dr. Renee Amiro, a PGY3 in Family Medicine Emergency Medicine Saint John, is our latest Resident of the Month.
Our Resident of the Month award aims to improve resident well-being by recognizing and rewarding resident colleagues with exceptional achievements while maintaining a work-life balance. The criteria includes academic accomplishments, research activities, social events, family life, community involvement, humanitarian service, leadership, and more.
Dr. Amiro was nominated by her peers.
"Renee is a stand out resident," her nomination states. "She goes above and beyond for others; whether they are patients, co-residents, colleagues, her family members or other learners. She has participated in many leadership roles ranging from teaching simulations at DMNB to events at the resident education weekend."
Her nomination outlines how she supports other residents in her program as well.
"She maintains a balanced lifestyle by biking to work and practicing yoga. She is always available to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to a resident in need. Renee is an amazing, supportive resident. She works hard and goes above and beyond her training to ensure a good well-rounded FMEM experience."
As the winner of this award, Dr. Amiro will receive a $100 gift card.
Congratulations from everyone at Maritime Resident Doctors on winning this award.
February 2020 - Claire Humphrey (PGY4, Pediatrics)
Maritime Resident Doctors is pleased to announce Dr. Claire Humphrey, a PGY4 in Pediatrics, is our latest Resident of the Month.
Our Resident of the Month award aims to improve resident well-being by recognizing and rewarding resident colleagues with exceptional achievements while maintaining a work-life balance. The criteria includes academic accomplishments, research activities, social events, family life, community involvement, humanitarian service, leadership, and more
Dr. Humphrey, pictured above - second from the left in the front row - with a number of her colleagues, was nominated by her peers.
"Dr. Humphrey is a consistent friendly face," her nomination states. "She served as the program's first ever Resident Peer Support Person - a program she conceptualized and was successfully elected into. In this capacity, she makes herself available to pediatrics residents for confidential discussion of resident issues, advice, and support independent of the program's chiefs, director and other faculty.
"She also sits on the pediatrics program wellness committee, helping in the organization of monthly wellness events." Her nomination goes on to say that she is an ideal candidate for this award "for her leadership and for being a reliable source of inspiration, comfort and laughs for all Dalhousie pediatrics residents."
As the winner of this award, Dr. Humphrey will receive a $100 gift card.
Congratulations from everyone at Maritime Resident Doctors on winning this award.
