Listed in order of submission
Electoral Group : NOSMU West |
Positions : 2 |
Currently Running : 9
Dr. Claire Poulin
PGY-1 | NOSMU | Family Medicine-
Bio
Hello NOSMU residents!
My name is Claire, and I am a Family Medicine resident based in Thunder Bay. I am excited to begin this next chapter alongside all of you, whether you are just starting residency or are further along in your training.
As someone born and raised in Northwestern Ontario, I have a deep appreciation for our unique training environment and the healthcare communities we serve. Having completed my undergraduate medical education at NOSMU, I have developed a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing learners across Northern Ontario. This perspective allows me to advocate effectively for meaningful, practical improvements that reflect the realities of training in our region.
During medical school, I had the privilege of serving as Vice President, Student Affairs for the Ontario Medical Student Association (OMSA). In that role, I represented learners across Ontario, collaborated with provincial stakeholders, and strengthened my skills in advocacy, communication, and organizational leadership. These experiences taught me the importance of listening to diverse perspectives, responding thoughtfully to concerns, and working collaboratively to achieve positive and meaningful change. With tight deadlines, it also strengthened my time management skills - which can be critical - especially when you're waiting on an answer to clarify our PARO contract!
I also serve as a Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Ambassador where I work with NOSMU faculty, staff, and CMA leadership to connect learners with opportunities, and foster meaningful dialogue. Most recently I helped organize a visit for the CMA President to tour Thunder Bay, bringing together local physicians, learners, and healthcare leaders to discuss ways to strengthen and expedite healthcare delivery in our community.
If elected as one of your NOSMU representatives on PARO General Council, I will advocate for your interests with transparency, approachability, and dedication. I look forward to building on the work of previous representatives while fostering open communication across our residency community.
Let's make this residency year the best one yet!
Dr. Punit Trivedi
PGY-1 | NOSMU | Int.Med-General-
Bio
I am a PGY1 Internal Medicine resident at NOSM University in Thunder Bay. I am committed to strengthening resident wellness, improving training equity across Ontario, and advancing the voice of residents practicing in Northern and rural settings. Having trained at NOSM for medical school, I have seen firsthand the unique challenges faced by residents working in geographically dispersed programs, whether related to scheduling, access to resources, or navigating transitions between sites.
I am passionate about creating practical, resident centered solutions. My interests include optimizing call structures, improving access to mental‑health supports, and advocating for fair compensation and safe working conditions. I will bring a collaborative, approachable style to leadership, with a focus on clear communication and building systems that make day‑to‑day residency more sustainable.
I hope to contribute to PARO by amplifying the needs of residents across Ontario, especially those in smaller programs, and by helping shape policies that support learning, wellness, and professional growth. My long-term advocacy experience is deeply shaped by my work with Starts With Youth, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about youth abuse and trauma. As a Chapter Director, I oversee multiple chapters and their executive teams, ensuring consistent delivery of the organization’s mandate: empowering survivors, supporting allies, and expanding access to education and resources. In this role, I have developed strong skills in leadership, conflict navigation, team coordination, and professional communication. My work supporting vulnerable youth and guiding diverse teams has taught me how to build safe environments, elevate unheard voices, and translate complex challenges into practical, compassionate solutions. I hope to bring these skills to residency advocacy.
Dr. Armin Farahvash
PGY-3 | NOSMU | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hello NOSM West!
My name is Armin and I am a PGY3 in internal medicine at Thunder Bay. I have had the pleasure to advocate for my coresidents in internal medicine the past 2 years and want to bring it for the broader NOSM West community by addressing your issues and organizing fun activities.
I hope to be your representative on the PARO council!
Cheers,
Armin
Dr. Hannah Shortreed
PGY-1 | NOSMU | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hello everyone!
My name is Hannah Shortreed, and I am a PGY1 Internal Medicine resident at NOSM University in Thunder Bay. I am grateful to be continuing my training alongside you in a region that has shaped both my education and passion for medicine.
Having grown up, studied, and trained across Northwestern Ontario, I have experienced the unique opportunities and challenges of learning and providing care in Northern communities. These experiences have reinforced the importance of advocating for residents whose training can often look very different from those in larger urban programs.
Throughout medical school, I sought opportunities to support my peers through leadership, mentorship, and collaboration. Whether leading research to improve healthcare in Northwestern Ontario as Director of Research for Compass North Student-Led Clinic, serving as Co-President of the Internal Medicine Interest Group, inspiring future healthcare professionals through the Altitude Healthcare Mentorship Program, or collaborating with numerous community organizations, I have learned that true advocacy begins with listening. Every resident's experience is different, and I believe our strongest solutions come from understanding those diverse perspectives and working together for a tangible solution.
If elected to PARO General Council, I promise to be an approachable, reliable, and engaged representative. I am committed to ensuring that residents training in Northwestern Ontario have a strong voice in provincial conversations and that our values are reflected in decisions affecting resident education, wellness, and working conditions.
Most importantly, I want residents to know they have someone to reach out to, whether to share ideas, raise concerns, or simply feel heard. It would be a privilege to represent our residency community, and I would be honoured to advocate on your behalf.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Dr. Tirtha Bhattarai
PGY-3 | NOSMU | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Dear Colleagues,
It is with great enthusiasm and strong sense of responsibility that I announce my candidacy for the position of PARO General Council.
Throughout my residency journey, I have experienced both the rewards and challenges of residency training. These experiences have strengthened my belief that every resident deserves a voice that is heard, respected and represented. Being the MEC representative for RCPSC programs in Thunder Bay, I have seen the impact of effective advocacy and meaningful changes that can be achieved by representing and supporting our colleagues.
As an IMG, I have firsthand experience navigating the transition into residency in Ontario. This perspective helps me better understand many of the challenges IMGs may encounter while adapting to new healthcare system, workplace culture and new environment. I am committed to ensuring these perspectives are heard and represented while advocating for the needs of all residents.
If elected, I will work to listen to your concerns, advocate for meaningful solutions and foster a culture of collaboration. My goal is to ensure that every resident feels supported and empowered throughout their training.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
Sincerely,
Tirtha Bhattarai
Dr. Hiba Rajpar
PGY-1 | NOSMU | Family Medicine-
Bio
Hi everyone! I’m Hiba, a PGY-1 Family Medicine Resident at NOSM.
If there's one thing I've practiced more than medicine, it's starting over. New schools. New cities. New countries. New healthcare systems. I’ve become strangely good at being the new person in every room.
My journey has taken me from Karachi and London, to Vancouver, and now to the vast landscapes and close-knit communities of Northern Ontario. Every place has looked different. The pace, the people, even the definition of "rush hour" has changed. But what hasn't changed is the privilege of learning from every community I've had the opportunity to call home.
Growing up between cultures and returning to Canada through the IMG pathway meant constantly learning how to navigate unfamiliar spaces. Starting over became less about adapting quickly and more about staying curious, listening carefully, and recognizing that every person arrives with their unique stories.
One of the greatest lessons I learned had very little to do with medicine itself. It came from watching mentors who never seemed too busy to teach, who welcomed questions instead of dismissing them, and who quietly created opportunities for learners to grow. That has stayed with me throughout my career, and it's something I want to actively pay forward. Whether that's mentoring incoming residents, supporting colleagues through the IMG transition, or simply being someone to rant to.
If elected, I'd love to focus on making the transition into residency a little less chaotic, especially for IMGs and residents adapting to new communities, promoting meaningful wellness and resident engagement (ice cream breaks maybe?), and ensuring your ideas and concerns are represented with honesty and transparency.
Outside the hospital, I'm planning my 2028 road trip that is slightly over-organized, enthusiastically explaining geography facts that nobody asked for, or being the friend who somehow ends up coordinating everyone's schedules. My friends would say, organizing chaos is one of my hobbies, but I'm approachable, endlessly curious, and always happy to listen.
Thank you for considering!
Dr. Niousha Djahanpour
PGY-3 | NOSMU | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hi everyone!
My name is Niousha, and I'm a PGY-3 Internal Medicine resident at NOSM. Since beginning my residency in Thunder Bay, I've come to appreciate the opportunities and unique challenges of training in Northern Ontario. Like many residents who move away for training, I arrived in Thunder Bay knowing very few people. Starting over in a new city was exciting, but it also came with challenges and moments when it felt isolating.
Those experiences taught me that residency is about so much more than medicine. The people around us make all the difference. The friendships, mentors, and support we find along the way shape not only our training, but also the kind of colleagues we become. They shaped me into someone who values being approachable, dependable, and always willing to listen.
That's what inspired me to run for PARO General Council.
Throughout residency, I've had the opportunity to mentor junior residents and medical students, contribute to academic leadership, and participate in research and quality improvement initiatives. While these experiences have helped me grow professionally, the moments that have meant the most have been the everyday conversations with my co-residents, celebrating successes, supporting one another through challenging rotations, and making time for each other when residency gets tough.
If elected, I want to be someone residents feel comfortable reaching out to and can count on. Whether it's a question, a concern, or an idea, I'll advocate for our residents, bring your perspectives forward, and work to ensure they're represented in the conversations that shape our residency experience.
I also hope to continue building a stronger sense of community among residents. One of the best parts of Thunder Bay has been the people I've met, and I'd love to create more opportunities for residents to connect outside the hospital. My hope is that every resident can find a sense of belonging here and that Thunder Bay feels a little more like home.
At the end of the day, I just want to help make residency a little more fun, a little more connected, and a little easier to get through together.
Thank you!
Niousha
Dr. Elaheh Shayesteh
PGY-2 | NOSMU | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hello everyone,
My name is Elaheh Shayesteh, and I am a PGY-2 Internal Medicine resident at NOSM University.
Residency is one of the most rewarding experiences in our careers, but it is also one of the most physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. In the middle of busy rotations, overnight calls, exams, and life outside the hospital, it is easy to forget that our own well-being matters too. I have been fortunate to train alongside supportive co-residents, staff physicians, and program leaders here in Thunder Bay, and I truly appreciate the collegial environment we have built together. Even though I believe there is much room for improvement, and every resident brings a unique perspective that deserves to be heard.
I am running for the PARO General Council because I believe meaningful change begins by listening. As your representative, I want to be someone who is approachable and genuinely interested in hearing about your experiences and perspectives—whether they relate to wellness, education, workplace culture, scheduling, or any other aspect of residency. My goal is to ensure that your ideas and concerns are represented and heard at PARO while advocating for continued improvements in our training environment across NOSM West.
Advocacy is most effective when it reflects the voices of the people it represents, and I would be honoured to help bring those voices forward. I believe that by working together, we can continue to build a stronger residency community for current and future trainees.
I would be honoured for the opportunity to represent NOSM West and advocate on your behalf.
Dr. Bushra Malik
PGY-3 | NOSMU | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hello, fellow NOSM residents,
My name is Bushra Malik, and I’m a PGY-3 Internal Medicine resident at NOSM University. I would be honoured to present you at the PARO General Council and advocate for the issues that matter most to all of us as residents.
My goal is to be someone you can count on—someone who listens, understands our rights as residents, advocates for our collective interests, and works to create a residency experience that is more supportive, more connected, and more enjoyable for all of us.
Residency is one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences of our careers, and it’s something no one can fully prepare you for. We’ve all faced long days, steep learning curves, and moments of self-doubt. Having gone through this journey alongside many of you, I understand these challenges firsthand and know how important it is to have strong advocates who listen, support, and help make our training experience better.
Throughout my training, I have had the opportunity to rotate across Thunder Bay, Sudbury, and Sault Ste. Marie, giving me insight into the unique experiences and challenges faced by residents at different NOSM training sites. In addition, I have completed electives in the Greater Toronto Area, Manitoba, and Alberta, where I gained exposure to different residency programs, healthcare systems, and approaches to resident education and advocacy. These experiences have broadened my perspective and strengthened my ability to bring forward ideas and best practices that can benefit our residency community.
I hope to use these experiences to help others navigate the challenges of residency. My priorities would be to advocate for resident wellness, ensuring every resident feels heard and supported, and work toward meaningful, lasting improvements to our residency experience.
It would be a privilege to represent NOSM residents at the PARO General Council, and I would be grateful for your support.
Thank you so much for making it this far!! :)