I pursued my BSc in Health Studies because I wanted to understand human health and disease from a variety of disciplines - not just from a biomedical perspective. I was fascinated by how medical care is delivered within the context of the broader health care system, including the impacts of social determinants of health and organizational structures and policies. I completed specialized gerontology and biology courses to earn an Aging Studies Option and a Medical Physiology Minor. I was consistently recognized for excellent academic standing on the Dean’s Honours List.

Some of the most enriching experiences from my undergraduate studies came from participating in the Co-operative Education program, where I completed five work terms in various health care settings. These experiences provided exposure to project management at a tertiary care hospital, health information system transformations, public health planning within an urban regional government, and health services research at a regional medical school campus. Ultimately, my final research co-op term led to my pursuit of graduate studies.