Listed in order of submission
Electoral Group : McMaster CFPC |
Positions : 4 |
Currently Running : 9
Dr. Victoria Shi
PGY-2 | McMaster | Family Medicine-
Bio
Hello everyone!
I’m Victoria from the Hamilton site at Stonechurch! As a member of PARO GC the previous year, I would be so grateful for the opportunity to represent the needs of Family Medicine residents for a second year.
Over my past year on PARO GC, I had the privilege of being involved in events including PARO drag brunch, new resident orientation, and leadership events, and planning events such as PARO X SPINCO spin class.
I am passionate about advocacy and knowing my co-residents, also serving as a Lead resident at the Stonechurch teaching unit in Hamilton. I’ve played a part in planning orientation for the incoming Family Medicine residents and being a reliable resource for residents with any inquiries and/or concerns. I believe in devoting time to leadership and community, and prior to residency, I served on the McMaster Medical Students’ Council as VP-Internal at WRC, and also sat on the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer Society Waterloo-Wellington.
I feel strongly that by maintaining a growth mindset and community-focused approach, we’re able to uplift those around us to create an environment where we may all thrive, and I would love to bring this to PARO once again for the 2026-2027 residency year.
Otherwise, I love cats and like to bake cookies! :)
I love to wear pink and I’m also very invested in Love Island USA!
Dr. Tia Lin
PGY-1 | McMaster | Family Medicine-
Bio
Hey everyone! My name is Tia and I’m a first-year resident in Hamilton. I’m so excited to be running to represent Family Medicine residents.
One of the reasons I chose FM is because of the relationships at the heart of the specialty. The best parts of training often come from feeling connected. That’s also what draws me to PARO General Council—the opportunity to advocate for residents while helping build a resident culture where we feel supported and connected.
Throughout my education, I sought out opportunities that reflected those values. I organized inclusive wellness events for my med school class as Social Committee Co-chair, mentored students at different stages of training through formal programs and orientation, and coordinated one of the most successful interest groups as Teddy Bear Clinics Co-chair. All of these experiences reinforced the importance of supportive communities and meaningful advocacy.
Residency asks a lot of us, and I believe that access to the right resources, mentorship opportunities, and spaces to connect are essential to our well-being. I’m grateful to be training alongside such an incredible group of residents, and I would love the opportunity to give back by representing our voices at PARO.
Outside of medicine, some of my favourite hobbies are playing volleyball, snowboarding, Bayfront walks, and binge watching the latest low-budget rom coms. I value a great yap session, and am always open to listen to and help my peers wherever I can. I look forward to getting to know more of you throughout the year!
Dr. Julia Cressman
PGY-1 | McMaster | Family Medicine-
Bio
Hi everyone! My name is Julia and I am a PGY1 at the rural Fergus site for Family Medicine. I possess a strong commitment to resident advocacy, wellness, and fostering supportive learning environments. Throughout medical school, I have sought opportunities to represent, mentor, and support my peers while creating meaningful opportunities for connection and well-being. I am hoping I can continue this work on the PARO General Counsel!
As an executive with the Schulich Medicine Outdoor Recreation Engagement Society, I organized outdoor wellness events, including hiking, canoeing, and community excursions, to promote physical and mental well-being among medical students. These experiences reinforced the importance of creating spaces where learners can connect outside of clinical environments and support one another through the challenges of training.
Mentorship has also been a central part of my leadership. Through Schulich ACCESS, Women in Science and Engineering, and MedReach, I have mentored undergraduate and high school students, providing guidance on career development, navigating medical training, and maintaining balance and wellness. I have also supported my peers as an Anatomy Lab Volunteer and through organizing mock interviews, fostering collaborative learning and professional growth.
As a Family Medicine resident, I hope to bring this collaborative and approachable leadership style to PARO General Council. I am passionate about ensuring residents feel heard, supported, and represented, and I look forward to advocating for initiatives that enhance resident wellness, strengthen communication between trainees and leadership, and improve the overall residency experience for my fellow residents.
Outside of medicine, I have special interests in sports (volleyball and soccer in particular) and outdoor recreation, and would love to focus on keeping us residents active and healthy! I have two cats named Jango and Pheobe, and I could fill a library with my pictures of them. I look forward to getting to know more of my peers throughout the year. :)
Dr. Chyna Steele
PGY-1 | McMaster | Family Medicine-
Bio
Hi friends, my name is Chyna Steele!
I am a first-year resident at the Brantford Indigenous Health Hub and a proud member of Bigstone Cree Nation. My experiences growing up as an Indigenous woman have shaped my passion for health equity, advocacy, and building a health care system where every patient feels seen, heard, and respected.
Throughout medical school, I sat on the McMaster Medical Students' Council as VP Indigenous Health. In this role, I advocated for Indigenous learners, supported curriculum initiatives, helped organize educational events, and worked alongside faculty and community partners to advance Indigenous health and reconciliation within medical education. These experiences reinforced my belief that meaningful change happens through collaboration, listening, and relationship-building.
Beyond my leadership role, I have been involved in research, quality improvement, mentorship, and community engagement, with a particular focus on Indigenous health, culturally safe care, and reducing barriers to health services for Indigenous and rural communities. I also founded Cedar + Scrubs, a platform dedicated to supporting Indigenous students pursuing careers in health care while promoting Indigenous health, representation, and education.
As I begin residency, I am committed to being a supportive colleague, an advocate for resident wellness, and a physician who leads with compassion and humility. I believe leadership is about creating opportunities for others, fostering inclusive environments, and ensuring every voice is valued.
Outside of medicine, you'll usually find me trying a new recipe in the kitchen, baking for friends and family, exploring hiking trails, or working on growing Cedar + Scrubs.
I look forward to continuing to advocate for residents while helping build a more equitable, compassionate, and inclusive health care system.
Dr. Sukhdeep Bhangal
PGY-2 | McMaster | Family Medicine-
Bio
Hi everyone!
My name is Sukhdeep, and I’m one of the PGY2 residents from the Waterloo site. It has been a privilege to represent and advocate for residents on the PARO GC this past year, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to run again for the upcoming year.
Over the past year, I was able to help plan PARO events in Hamilton and worked to expand PARO’s reach by planning events at the DME sites, such as the PARO x Activate event in KW. I also co-led the PARO Transition to Residency initiative, organizing sessions for graduating medical students and incoming residents to inform them about the role of PARO and available resources during their residency training. We also organized social events, allowing residents to connect and build a support network before starting residency.
I am also a member of the Resident Education Committee at KW, advocating for optimal learning conditions, supporting curriculum initiatives, and helping organize educational and professional development events. I helped organize our annual recruitment event, allowing residents from all years to connect with local recruiters and learn from the experiences of recent graduates to support career development and planning. As a member of both PARO and REC, I aim to advocate for optimal learning and working conditions that allow us to thrive both as learners and professionals.
With Family Medicine being a short residency, strong mentorship and support are especially important to make a smoother transition to residency and to practice. Throughout my medical journey, I have been passionate about mentorship and teaching, serving as a peer mentor for medical students, now junior residents, as well as teaching clinical skills. As a PARO Transition to Residency lead, I was able to connect with several incoming residents to support them in navigating their transition into training. I am committed to continuing to serve on PARO’s Transition to Residency and Transition to Practice initiatives to create opportunities for residents to connect and foster mentorship.
Aside from this, I love going to spin classes, Taylor Swift, and various sitcoms and reality TV shows (especially Love Island)!
Dr. Judith Ebengho
PGY-1 | McMaster | Family Medicine-
Bio
Judith Ebengho (she/her) is a PGY-1 who brings both heart and hustle to everything she does. Long before residency, Judith was recognized for academic excellence in medical school, and she's spent years turning that drive outward by volunteering with adolescent health initiatives, co-creating a sex education resource for deaf youth to ensure no one gets left out of care, and reaching hundreds of students through public health radio broadcasts on HIV awareness. Today, she still shows up for community, volunteering with the Red Cross to support isolated seniors and contributing to peer-led HIV education efforts.
When she's not on the wards, you'll find Judith watching a comedy movie, wandering a museum, or soaking up time with loved ones.
Judith has felt firsthand the strength of McMaster's resident wellness culture, and she's ready to bring that same energy, care, and advocacy to PARO's General Council: listening, showing up, and making sure every resident's well-being stays front and centre.
Dr. Parnit Sachdeva
PGY-1 | McMaster | Family Medicine-
Bio
I am a first-year Family Medicine resident at McMaster University and a recent graduate of Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. Although I completed medical school in the United States, Canada has always been home. My family immigrated here when I was young, and I grew up in Brampton. Returning to Ontario to begin residency feels like coming full circle.
As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), I trained as a physician with additional education in osteopathic principles and hands-on musculoskeletal medicine. Beyond an additional clinical toolkit, this reinforced the importance of caring for the whole person. Health is shaped by our bodies, minds, relationships, purpose, and communities.
That philosophy is what drew me to family medicine. There is something extraordinary about ordinary life: celebrating a newborn's first visit, supporting someone through loss, helping a patient regain confidence, or simply being a familiar face they trust.
I believe the same perspective should extend to physicians. Before we are residents, we are people. Each of us carries inherent worth, along with our own stories, families, cultures, dreams, and challenges. When physicians feel supported, respected, and heard, that care naturally ripples outward to colleagues, patients, and communities.
Beyond medicine, I enjoy exploring artificial intelligence, technology, and creative communication. Used thoughtfully and ethically, I believe technology can reduce administrative burden, improve workflows, and give us back more time for the human side of medicine.
If elected as a PARO representative, I hope to bring curiosity, compassion, and thoughtful advocacy. I want to listen first, communicate openly, and represent residents with integrity. Whether the conversation is about wellness, education, fair compensation, workload, or transparency, I believe meaningful advocacy begins by understanding the people we represent.
I believe every interaction leaves something behind. My hope is that, together, we can build a residency community where people leave conversations feeling more supported, more valued, and just a little lighter than when they arrived.
Dr. Maya Sheth
PGY-1 | McMaster | Family Medicine-
Bio
Hi everyone! My name is Maya, and I'm a PGY1 family medicine resident at the Hamilton site. I'm excited to be running for PARO General Council because I believe that one of the most important parts of residency is the community we build with one another. When residents feel connected to each other, to mentors, and to the community around them, we're better equipped to learn, advocate for one another, and support each other through the challenges of residency.
Throughout medical school, I have sought opportunities to help build community. As VP Student Affairs of McMaster’s Medical Students Council, I organized wellness and social events, created and individually matched over 250 students in mentorship programs, and introduced class surveys to better understand learner needs and advocate for policy changes. These experiences taught me that meaningful community is fostered by listening, facilitating connections, and creating spaces where people feel they belong.
One of my priorities if elected would be helping residents feel connected within clinical spaces but also in their local communities. I'd love to organize events at local cafés, restaurants, and community organizations while creating opportunities for residents across programs to meet! I’m also passionate about teaching and mentorship, and would love to bridge relationships between residents and medical students, maybe even through a residents vs. med students soccer tournament!
Outside of work, I love playing and coaching soccer, baking, practicing yoga, and exploring Hamilton (there’s always new spots to try)! I would be so honoured to represent McMaster on PARO General Council, thank you for your consideration!
Dr. Sarah Fu
PGY-3 | McMaster | Family Medicine-
Bio
Hello! My name is Sarah Fu. I am a PGY3 Family Medicine Palliative Care Resident from North York, and I would be grateful if given the chance to return as one of your McMaster CFPC PARO GC Reps.
My past year on PARO has given me the knowledge and experience to better advocate for Family Medicine residents at McMaster. Whether it is through investigating the seemingly always-full parking across MFP, discussing how to improve PPT/MHBS through faculty meetings, or organizing mug painting nights at Play with Clay, I look forward to continuing to advocate for Family Medicine voices.
This commitment to peer support has defined my entire time at McMaster. In the last 2 years of Family Med residency, I’ve found meaning in supporting my peers through practical ways, whether it is sharing useful tips on how to navigate call stipends or administrative help, because sometimes it’s those small, everyday things that can make a big difference in reducing stress.
I’m also passionate about wellness and would love to help continue to organize social events across our different sites, such as yoga classes, board game nights, or pickleball nights.
As a person, I enjoy spending time with my friends, visiting cafes and restaurants, collecting Labubus and Pokemon cards, and playing with my two cats.
My goals on PARO are clear: I want to work towards improving resident wellness, physical and mental health, transitions and optimal work conditions. Thank you for your vote and consideration.
Sarah Fu