Electoral Group

Listed in order of submission

Electoral Group : Ottawa RCPSC | Positions : 13 | Currently Running : 25

Dr. Rashi Ramchandani

PGY-1 | Ottawa | Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

Bio
Hi everyone, my name is Rashi and I’m excited to run for PARO General Council at the University of Ottawa. To me, this role is about listening, collaborating, and helping make sure residents’ voices are heard. Residency is busy and demanding, and it can be hard for concerns to move beyond hallway conversations or post-call debriefs. I hope to be someone residents feel comfortable reaching out to, and someone who can help turn shared concerns into actionable solutions. If elected, I would work to represent residents across programs and training levels, while paying particular attention to voices that can be harder to capture because of busy clinical schedules. My goal would be simple: to listen well, communicate clearly, and work with PARO and my colleagues to improve the resident experience at uOttawa in practical and meaningful ways.

Dr. Quinn Basso

PGY-3 | Ottawa | Pathology-General

Bio
Hello! My name is Quinn, and I am currently a PGY3 resident and Chief Resident in the Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology residency program. After serving in student council leadership during medical school in British Columbia, I developed a strong interest in advocating on behalf of my peers and working collaboratively to create meaningful change.

With issues surrounding duty of care, resident wellness, and fair compensation remaining top priorities for many trainees, I hope to work alongside representatives from across the province to address these challenges and advocate for practical solutions. As a laboratory medicine resident, I believe I would bring a valuable perspective to PARO General Council and contribute to representing the diverse experiences of residents across specialties and training programs.

I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from other regions and disciplines toward our shared goal of improving the residency experience. I truly believe that by working together, we can create positive and lasting change for all residents.

Thank you for considering me for this position.

Dr. Dan Ahmed

PGY-1 | Ottawa | Surgery-General

Bio
Hi guys, I'm Dan a PGY1 starting Gen Surg. A little about me - I did my undergrad in Bio and CS at Western and then graduated from medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland in Dublin in 2025 before doing an intern year at University College London Hospitals.

Working in the UK this past year, offered me new perspectives on the work-life balance possible in medicine and the impact prioritizing resident physicians had on overall resident happiness and satisfaction. This materialized through a 40 hour workweek (even on Neurosurgery), widespread NHS discounts at most stores, increased compensation for overtime work and for work during unsociable hours, and a salary bonus for living in expensive cities like London as opposed to smaller settings.

And that brings me to my main motivations to join the General Council - I am super passionate about getting involved and finding out how we can work within the system to improve the working conditions of resident physicians in Ontario whether through advocating for increased base salaries, call stipends, and bonuses for living in downtown Toronto/Ottawa for example or by sourcing new partnerships to receive discounts for residents. Being a resident is hard enough as it is but my goal is to negotiate with the status quo to improve purchasing power and overall quality of life for all of us over the next 5(?) years .

Dr. Catherine Binda

PGY-3 | Ottawa | Surgery-General

Bio
Hi! I’m Catherine Binda, a PGY3 General Surgery resident at the University of Ottawa. I’m asking for your vote to be one of your PARO General Council representatives!

I have the advocacy experience to be an effective representative. In medical school, I was elected four times to our Medical Education Committee Executive, where I organized town halls and supported 30 student representatives on faculty committees. I've also worked as a peer supporter, refugee health systems navigator, food bank volunteer, and researcher focused on improving equity, access to care, and medical education.

My goals as your representative will include monthly information posts about your PARO benefits, editorial support for applications to the resident enhancement fund to ensure we are using available resources to the fullest, and within my first three months, I'll meet with program representatives from every Ottawa residency program to identify their top three concerns and bring a summary to General Council.

Next year, I will be starting CIP and will have both the insights about life as a surgical resident and extra time to devote to PARO priorities. I'll be visible, approachable, and committed to ensuring Ottawa residents' voices are heard at every General Council meeting. Vote for Catherine Binda.

Dr. Sarvenaz Mehrabi

PGY-1 | Ottawa | Physical Medicine and Rehab.

Bio
Hi everyone! My name is Sarvenaz, and I’m a PGY1 in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. My path to residency has been anything but straightforward. Before joining uOttawa, I worked as a physician, researcher, and educator while navigating the long journey to residency in Canada as an international medical graduate. That journey taught me the importance of feeling heard and supported during challenging times.

Throughout my career, I’ve enjoyed collaborating across multidisciplinary teams, and advocating for meaningful improvements in education and patient care. As a PARO General Council representative, I hope to bring that same collaborative spirit to resident advocacy. I want to help ensure that residents from every background, every specialty, and every stage of training feel represented, whether the issue is wellness, education, workplace conditions, or simply having someone who will listen and bring their concerns forward.

I believe meaningful change begins with understanding people’s experiences. Having worked across different healthcare settings and now as a resident, I appreciate that every resident’s journey is unique. My goal is to be an approachable and thoughtful representative who listens, communicates openly, and works collaboratively to strengthen our resident community and advocate for positive, practical changes that benefit us all. Thank you for your consideration.

Dr. Heather Zhao

PGY-1 | Ottawa | Public Health & Preventive Medicine

Bio
CC: "I'd like to help improve residency."

HPI: Heather is a PGY-1 in the combined Public Health & Preventive Medicine and Family Medicine program at uOttawa. Symptoms began after exposure to residency and noticing opportunities for improvement, asking too many questions (some useful), and believing coffee is best prescribed PRN. Past medical history includes a substantial research background, which has left her with a persistent habit of digging into problems until she actually understands them.

ROS: Positive for optimizing resident working environment. Positive for wanting to be a visible, approachable liaison between residents and PARO. Negative for staying quiet when something could be communicated more clearly.

PHYSICAL EXAM:
Approachable.
Curious.
Frequently carrying and sharing snacks.
No acute distress unless the Wi-Fi is down.

ASSESSMENT: Motivated, detail-oriented PGY-1 with a dual-specialty perspective and a track record of following through, presenting for consideration for PARO General Council.

PLAN:
✔ Listen before speaking.
✔ Represent residents across all specialties, sites, and stages of training.
✔ Show up at GC meetings and actually report back afterward.
✔ Communicate clearly, in both directions.
✔ Build on the work of GC members before me, and leave things a little better than I found them.

DISPO: Hoping to join a great team, and grateful for your consideration.

Dr. Sebastian Mavromatis

PGY-2 | Ottawa | Nuclear Medicine

Bio
Hello everyone! My name is Sebastian, and I'm a PGY-2 in Nuclear Medicine.

I'm excited to be running for PARO General Council for Ottawa. In this past year, spending 10 months off-service, I worked alongside so many of you and was welcomed by colleagues who are as kind as they are brilliant. Those rotations gave me a firsthand look at the challenges residents face across specialties, and it's why I want to be a voice for real improvements to your training and your lives outside of it.

Whether I was in the ICU, in the OR, on wards or in the ED, I got to witness firsthand the incredible amounts of effort and time you dedicate to your patients and colleagues each and every single day. Residents are the backbone of this healthcare system, and our working conditions should reflect the high standard of care we provide.

Our current agreement has expired in June, and with the cost of living continuing to rise, this is a critical year to have our basic needs met. If elected, I will work with our colleagues to advocate for meal stipends, parking passes for call shifts, reserved parking while on-call, stronger wellness supports, integrating new technology into daily practice, and any other ideas that you would like to have brought to the table.

I have already started working with the OMA as a representative of District 8 (Ottawa region), to be a voice for residents in our community. I hope to not only bring your ideas to the table, but also report back to you on updates and feedback throughout the year after General Council meetings and discussions.

Having spent time with so many different services, I've seen these issues from multiple angles, and I want to bring that broader perspective to the General Council. I've seen the work you put in every day, and I want to make sure that the people deciding on your training conditions see it too. I'd be grateful for your vote, and for the chance to represent you.

Thank you for your consideration :)

Dr. Jasmin Pagé

PGY-5 | Ottawa | Paed-Emergency Medicine

Bio
Dear fellow colleagues, my name is Jasmin, a Pediatric Emergency Fellow at CHEO, submitting my re-election candidacy for the current PARO General Council election. The past 2 years on PARO GC has allowed me to make amazing connections with PARO staff, colleagues, faculty leadership and gain important institutional knowledge to further strengthen my advocacy for residents across all Ottawa programs. Being on PARO GC has been a highlight of my residency, and I would be honoured, if re-elected, to be given the opportunity to continue to build upon the great initiatives that the Ottawa GC has been fearlessly advocating for and engaged in throughout the past year, such as evaluating the adequacy of on-call rooms at all major sites, regular networking activities, the highly successful Ottawa PARO wellness day etc.

It is no secret that residency is challenging and can have significant impacts on all aspects of our lives, whether personal, professional, financial etc. This is why ongoing efforts of advocacy for resident well-being, fair compensation, comprehensive benefits and smaller day-to-day impactful changes like access to food on call, contract compliant vacation request processes, denouncing blanket policies and reduced parking costs continues to be primordial. During residency, I have had the pleasure of being a resident representative on various committees, such as the Faculty Evaluation Committee, Vice-Dean Selection Committee and on many Accreditation Internal Reviews, continuously striving for the diverse resident perspectives to be respected and accounted for in decision making. These positions, along with my previous experience on PARO GC, have provided me with a multitude of opportunities to advocate for better training experiences and working conditions.

On a more personal note, I would humbly describe myself as someone who is approachable, committed, collaborative & creative. Some of my hobbies include music, tennis, songwriting, travelling, and I love a good game night or reality TV show.

Thank you wholeheartedly for your consideration and my emails are always open for any suggestions that could make a positive impact on your residency experience!

Dr. Ninglu Weng

PGY-1 | Ottawa | Ophthalmology

Bio
Dr. Ninglu Weng is a first-year ophthalmology resident at the University of Ottawa. She completed her medical degree at the University of Manitoba after earning a Bachelor of Health Sciences from McMaster University. Her academic interests include clinical ophthalmology, evidence synthesis, and medical education.

As a PARO General Council representative, Ninglu will bring a proactive, detail-oriented approach to resident advocacy. She values inclusive representation, open communication, and follow-through, and is committed to helping turn residents’ genuine concerns into practical improvements to training. Alongside medicine, she has a longstanding passion for visual art and medical illustration, which informs her appreciation for careful observation and effective visual communication. Outside of work, she enjoys crafts, reading, trying new foods, and running.

Dr. Alyssa Agostinis

PGY-3 | Ottawa | Emergency Medicine

Bio
Hi everyone!

My name's Alyssa, one of the 3rd year EM residents, and I'm running for re-election as one of your PARO representatives!

It was a pleasure to represent the Ottawa residents last year. During the 2025-2026 year, I had the honour of being your PARO Wellness Rep, liaising with PGME on a variety of initiatives including improving food options while on call, higher standards for on call rooms, and protected sick leave. I was also involved in discussions with TOH regarding the issues and improvements needed with Hypercare after it was rolled out. One event I’m most proud of being a part of is our full wellness day (exclusive to Ottawa)!! While residents deserve more than 1 day off, it’s a fun event-filled day that allows us to connect with our peers from other specialties, and reminds us to also take care of ourselves! This year I hope to continue my work with improving resident wellness, including fair compensation and improved benefits, as well as focus on providing more support for those starting residency. Residency has its challenges, and as an IMG I can appreciate the added stress and challenges that come with finding your way in a new environment.

It would be an honour to serve as one of your PARO representatives for another year!

Thank you for your vote!

Alyssa

Dr. Kisanet Kebedom

PGY-1 | Ottawa | Int.Med-General

Bio
Hey everyone!

My name is Kisanet, and I'm a first-year Internal Medicine resident at the University of Ottawa. I'm excited to be running for PARO General Council this year! Before starting residency, I completed medical school at the University of Toronto, where I had the opportunity to serve on my Class Council, as our Charity Committee Lead for four years. In these roles, I worked alongside incredible classmates to organize events, build community, and support charitable initiatives. These experiences strengthened my leadership, collaboration, and advocacy skills.

As a first-year resident, I've experienced firsthand both the excitement and the challenges of transitioning from medical school to residency. If elected, I'd love to create an "Introduction to Residency" series that highlights the supports, benefits, and resources available through PARO, making it easier for new residents to navigate this transition.

Advocacy and mentorship are two areas I'm especially passionate about. I hope to advocate for improved working conditions and resident benefits while also creating more structured opportunities for mentorship to help residents grow both personally and professionally.

It would be an honour to have your support and represent you on PARO's General Council. Thank you for reading!

Dr. Ryan Sandarage

PGY-4 | Ottawa | Surgery-Neurosurgery

Bio
I am a PGY-4 Neurosurgery resident at the University of Ottawa and a trainee in the Clinician Investigator Program, where I am completing doctoral research in spinal cord injury and neural regeneration.

I am running for PARO General Council because I want to advocate directly for residents and turn their concerns into practical improvements. The PARO Leadership Program strengthened my commitment to resident representation and showed me how coordinated advocacy can improve training conditions, wellness, and workplace culture across Ontario.

During residency, I have seen how scheduling, workload, access to resources, communication, and learning environments shape residents’ day-to-day experiences. I have also used the PARO Resident Enhancement Fund and saw firsthand how targeted support can significantly improve resident wellness, shared spaces, and morale. That experience reinforced the importance of listening to residents, identifying concrete needs, and following through with solutions.

I have represented residents on the University of Ottawa Neurosurgery and Surgical Foundations program committees, and I currently serve as Chief Resident for the Clinician Investigator Program. Through these roles, I have raised trainee concerns, contributed to program improvements, and developed a strong commitment to clear communication, accountability, and follow-through.

My protected time in the Clinician Investigator Program gives me the flexibility to engage consistently in PARO work. I can attend meetings, respond to resident concerns, follow issues through to resolution, and contribute actively to ongoing initiatives while remaining closely connected to clinical training.

On General Council, I will bring a collaborative, approachable, and action-oriented perspective. I will listen carefully, communicate clearly, and advocate for residents across specialties, training sites, and stages of residency. I want to ensure that resident priorities lead to meaningful action and remain central to PARO’s decisions.

Dr. Hadi Tehfe

PGY-3 | Ottawa | Int.Med-General

Bio
Hello everyone!

My name is Hadi, a PGY3 Internal Medicine Resident and I am running for re-election to the PARO General Council (GC).

Over the past two years as a PARO General Council representative, I have gained firsthand insight into the issues residents face, including contract compliance, vacation requests, call schedules, and wellness. Through my work on the PGME Accreditation Committee and as a resident reviewer during Internal Reviews, I have also learned that these issues are not simply quality-of-life concerns—they are accreditation standards. As a PARO GC member, I plan to ensure these standards remain a priority.

Beyond PARO, I have also developed leadership and advocacy skills through roles supporting trainees locally and nationally, including leading transition-to-residency initiatives, serving on the Canadian Society of Internal Medicine Research and Quality Improvement Committee, and representing residents on the TMU PGME Council. These experiences have prepared me to advocate effectively for residents and contribute meaningfully to the PARO GC.

Most importantly, throughout my training, my most meaningful experiences have been experiencing the challenges of residency alongside my coresidents. My coresidents have shaped me into who I am today, and I hope to give back by fostering a culture of advocacy, representation, and fair working conditions.

Thank you for your consideration!

Warmest,
Hadi Tehfe

Dr. Steven Cheema

PGY-5 | Ottawa | Int.Med-Gastroenterology

Bio
Hi everyone!

My name is Steven Cheema and I am currently a R5 in Gastroenterology here at the University of Ottawa. I've had the privilege of being one of your PARO reps for the past two years, and I am extremely excited to be running for a third time in hopes of continuing to advocate for all of you!

A little about myself, I am originally from the west coast however did my medical school overseas in Melbourne, Australia. I understand the challenges that residency brings, especially when moving to a completely new environment. Hopefully, many of you have felt more at home and have formed new bonds through the PGY1 Welcome Social at Good Neighbour that we organized this year.

As an IMG who has worked overseas in multiple different healthcare settings I bring a unique experience to my residency training in Canada. While working overseas, I had the pleasure of being awarded the Wellbeing Award by my peers for exceptional support both within and outside of work. One of my main goals for this upcoming academic year would be to continue to build on the social and wellness activities we have provided over the past two years, as I believe that creating bonds with your fellow co-residents and having a sense of community will allow you to better excel during your time at work. In addition, I will continue to advocate for an increase in wellness half days which would allow you to perform those “business hour” tasks that are difficult to perform during a typical day in residency. I hope to continue to build on the momentum that the PARO GC has built over the past two years to carry these tasks over the hump.

If re-elected, I would use my communication skills to continue negotiating for a fair pay increase as our contract has expired and is due for renewel this academic year. Further, I would use my leadership skills to formalize a PARO mentorship program within the University of Ottawa as I feel this would have been beneficial for my personal transition from medical school to residency. Lastly, I would maintain an open channel of communication with all of you, allowing me to address specific concerns that you may have.

Thank you very much for your consideration!

Dr. Justin Maclellan

PGY-1 | Ottawa | Dermatology

Bio
Hi everyone! My name is Justin and I'm a first year Dermatology resident. I'm excited to run for the PARO General Council position to represent residents across programs and advocate for the issues that matter most to you. Throughout medical school, I had the privilege of serving as Class President and VP Communications for our students' society, experiences that taught me the importance of listening, communicating openly, and bringing people together to find practical solutions.

As a PARO general council representative, I will work to ensure uOttawa resident perspectives are heard at the provincial level while keeping programs informed about PARO initiatives and opportunities. I'm committed to advocating for resident wellness, high-quality training, fair working conditions, and strong communication between residents and leadership.

I value collaboration, transparency, and approachability, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to represent our program. If elected, I'll work hard to be an accessible voice for our residents and to ensure your concerns and ideas are brought forward effectively.

Thank you for your support!

Dr. Ramez Hanna

PGY-2 | Ottawa | Obstetrics/Gynecology

Bio
My name is Ramez, and I am currently a PGY2 Obstetrics and Gynecology resident at the University of Ottawa. I come from an Egyptian background and was raised in Singapore, experiences that have shaped my appreciation for diversity, community, and the importance of supporting people through different stages of their personal and professional journeys.

My path to medicine has taken me across several countries and institutions. I completed my undergraduate degree in Pharmacology at McGill University, followed by a two-year diploma in Medical Sciences in Malaysia, before returning to McGill University for medical school. Throughout my training in both Malaysia and Montreal, I served in a variety of advocacy and mentorship roles. I have always found it deeply rewarding to support the next generation of medical students and physicians, particularly as they navigate demanding transitions and new responsibilities.

Resident wellness remains one of my highest priorities. During the CaRMS process, I intentionally prioritized the University of Ottawa’s Obstetrics and Gynecology program because of its strong culture of resident support, collegiality, and wellbeing. Residents are among the most hardworking members of the healthcare community, balancing significant clinical responsibilities with examinations, research, teaching, and personal commitments. In such a demanding environment, burnout can develop easily, especially when residents feel unheard or unsupported.

Serving on the PARO General Council would allow me to contribute to the wellbeing of residents not only within my own faculty, but across Ontario. I would be honoured to bring forward residents’ perspectives, advocate for healthier learning and working environments, and support practical initiatives that strengthen resident wellness. I hope to serve as an approachable, thoughtful, and collaborative representative who listens carefully, identifies shared challenges, and helps translate resident concerns into meaningful advocacy and action.

Dr. Abbie Lai

PGY-1 | Ottawa | Ophthalmology

Bio
Hi everyone! My name is Abbie, and I'm a PGY1 in Ophthalmology.

I care about advocacy. From leading global health campaigns with parliamentarians to working on committees to improve clinician and surgeon working conditions, I've learned how to move things forward: showing up prepared, following up until there's an answer, and keeping track of progress so we can build frrom there.

With our Collective Agreement having expired in June, this round of negotiations will shape our compensation, call stipends, and benefits for years to come. If elected, I'll focus on two priorities:

First, I'll bring your concerns to the forefront, including fair compensation for call, pension discussions, and protections that reflect the rising cost of living.

Second, I'll make sure your rights are delivered here in Ottawa. Entitlements like inter-site parking reimbursement, taxi coverage while on home call, and appropriate call room standards only matter if they're actually implemented. If you raise an issue with me, I'll follow it through and let you know what happened.

I'd be grateful for your vote and the chance to represent you. Thank you!

Dr. Gillyan Xu

PGY-1 | Ottawa | Emergency Medicine

Bio
Hey everyone, my name is Gillyan and I’m starting Emergency Medicine residency this year. I’m super excited to be running for PARO General Council!

I’m originally from Toronto and did my undergraduate at McGill and medical school at uOttawa. After living in a few different places, it has always struck me how important a strong community and support system are, no matter the location. As a PARO representative for the residents here in Ottawa, I hope to strengthen both.

I would love to continue hosting social events that help residents connect, have fun, and recharge. I truly believe that fostering connections with residents across years and programs will enhance our well-being both socially and at work, and instill a sense of home in Ottawa during residency.

Although I'm just starting out, I believe one of the strengths of a PARO representative is listening. I plan to connect with residents across years and programs, both by personally reaching out and by using polls and surveys to better understand concerns. Some priorities that already come to mind include fair compensation in the new collective agreement, as well as increased resources and mentorship for transitioning to PGY1. My ultimate goal is to strengthen our internal resident community while also advocating for the support we deserve.

I have previously served on student council at every level of my education, as a grade representative in high school and VP communication roles in undergraduate and med school. I’ve done so because I genuinely love getting to know and advocating for the people I’m studying/working with. That has not changed in residency and I hope to do just that on the PARO general council.

Thank you for your consideration!

Dr. Erfan Ghani Kakhki