Listed in order of submission
Electoral Group : TMU CFPC |
Positions : 2 |
Currently Running : 9
Dr. Devine Syamalan
PGY-1 | TMU | Family Medicine-
Bio
I am a PGY-1 Family Medicine resident at Toronto Metropolitan University with a strong commitment to resident advocacy, community-based care, and serving diverse patient populations. As an internationally trained physician, I completed my MBBS at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in India, where I gained broad clinical experience across emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, and rural family practice.
Before residency, I worked in both tertiary and rural clinical settings, caring for patients across the lifespan and developing a deep appreciation for continuity, teamwork, and resource-conscious care. My experiences in rural medicine, maternal-child health, pediatric care, and community outreach have shaped my passion for equitable access to healthcare, especially for underserved and newcomer communities.
I also bring a unique leadership background outside of medicine. Through several years of work in strategic procurement at Siemens Canada, I developed skills in communication, negotiation, systems thinking, and cross-functional collaboration. I am also pursuing a Master of Divinity at Tyndale University, with an interest in youth and family counselling, reflecting my broader commitment to holistic care, mentorship, and community service.
As a resident, I hope to contribute to a culture where trainees feel supported, heard, and empowered. I am passionate about wellness, mentorship, advocacy for internationally trained physicians, and strengthening communication between residents and institutions. Through PARO, I hope to represent my colleagues with humility, integrity, and a practical understanding of the challenges residents face during training.
Dr. Farjana Chowdhury
PGY-1 | TMU | Family Medicine-
Bio
I am a PGY-1 Family Medicine resident at Toronto Metropolitan University with a strong commitment to advocacy, equity, and resident wellness. Before beginning residency in Canada, I practiced as a General Physician in Bangladesh, providing comprehensive care in both urban and rural settings. Working in resource-limited environments strengthened my adaptability, resilience, and appreciation for patient-centered care.
After moving to Canada, I worked as a Sleep Clinician Lead at Medpro Respiratory care where I collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, mentored new clinicians, and educated patients with CPAP therapy from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. These experiences reinforced the importance of effective communication, teamwork, and advocating for patients and colleagues.
Throughout my career, I have actively taken on leadership and teaching roles. I have organized educational sessions, mentored international medical graduates preparing for licensing examinations. I value collaboration, inclusivity, and creating supportive environments where everyone feels heard and respected.
As an international medical graduate, I understand many of the challenges residents may face, including adapting to a new training environment, balancing personal and professional responsibilities, and navigating unfamiliar systems. These experiences have strengthened my empathy and motivated me to advocate for equitable opportunities, resident wellness, and meaningful representation.
If I am selected to the PARO General Representative Council, I will listen to residents’ perspectives, communicate their concerns effectively, and work collaboratively to promote initiatives that enhance resident education, well-being, and professional development. I am committed to representing my colleagues with integrity, respect, and a genuine desire to contribute positively to our residency community.
Dr. Lefide Sakar
PGY-1 | TMU | Family Medicine-
Bio
Hello Everyone,
I am Lefide—a mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend, and a resident, just like you. What all of these roles have in common—what has shaped me more than anything else—is the art of listening.
I have learned that being present for someone, hearing their fears and frustrations without trying to immediately solve them, is one of the most powerful gifts we can give each other. That is the kind of presence I want to bring to PARO GC.
I am running because I care deeply about my fellow residents. I see the weight we carry—the exhaustion, the uncertainty, the pressure to be perfect. I know I don't have all the answers. I may not be the most polished speaker, and I will probably stumble more than once. But I can promise this: I will be a compassionate ear, a steady advocate, and someone who works hard to make sure every resident feels seen and supported.
Rather than listing my accomplishments, I'd like to share the values that guide how I hope to serve you. I have never achieved success on my own; every meaningful accomplishment in my life has come through the strength of my community—and residency is no different. Lifting each other up keeps us growing, especially when days feel long and the road ahead feels uncertain.
I believe in the power of community. We are stronger when we share our struggles and celebrate our wins—no matter how small. I want to help build a culture where we empower one another to become our best selves, not by competing, but by collaborating. Listening is only the first step. I will work to bring resident concerns forward, advocate for meaningful solutions, and ensure our voices are represented at the decision-making table.
Outside of medicine, I have a toddler and three cats that keep me grounded, humble, and constantly remind me of what truly matters. I love camping, traveling, playing board games with friends and family, and unwinding with reality TV—though nowadays, it's more like half an episode at a time between residency and bedtime routines!
Residency is hard, but it doesn't have to be lonely. If you trust me with your voice, I will carry it with care, honesty, and heart. I would be honoured to represent you.
Dr. Ghazal Jessani
PGY-3 | TMU | Family Medicine-Emergency-
Bio
Hi everyone,
My name is Ghazal Jessani (she/her), and I am a PGY3 FM-EM resident at TMU. I am thrilled to run to be your PARO representative!
Having completed my Family Medicine residency, I understand both, the challenges and joys of residency. I will champion supportive working conditions to optimize your residency experience so you can focus on your learning, professional growth, and well-being!
During my Family Medicine residency at McMaster, I served as the CFPC representative, where I advocated for my co-residents locally and nationally. I learned that effective advocacy begins with listening. I will create safe spaces and invite feedback so I can best represent you.
As your representative, I will focus on advocacy, accessibility, and engagement!
Advocacy: I will connect residents across programs to understand your needs and effectively advocate for you! I am always open to chat and plan on sending out (quick) surveys and arranging Zoom meetings to learn about your ideas, thoughts, and challenges!
I aim to amplify your voice and work with you to strengthen existing programs, develop innovative solutions to challenges, and create lasting improvements for current and future residents.
Accessibility: Residency is busy, and important information can be difficult to find. I will make PARO resources—including information about compensation, call responsibilities, benefits, parental leave, and events—more accessible so you can make the most of the resources curated for you!
Engagement: I plan to actively involve residents across programs to share their ideas, especially around supports that would be helpful during residency and the transition from residency to practice. I also invite you to share how you want to be involved and we will collaborate to make it happen!
I would be honoured to represent you as your PARO representative!
Best,
Ghazal Jessani
Dr. Mirai Ayoub
PGY-1 | TMU | Family Medicine-
Bio
Hello everyone :)
My name is Mirai (pronounced Mee-ray) Ayoub. I share this because my name has often been misspelled, mispronounced, or forgotten altogether. It may seem like a small thing, but feeling seen and included often starts with something as simple as getting someone’s name right.
This experience shaped one of my priorities as a PARO representative: fostering a more inclusive residency experience where every resident feels recognized, respected, and that they belong from day one.
My journey has taken me from completing my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at McMaster University, to earning my medical degree in Egypt, and returning to Brampton for residency. These experiences taught me the importance of resilience, community, and having advocates who help navigate unfamiliar systems.
During medical school, I served as the Local Officer of Medical Education with the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA), where I represented student concerns and worked with faculty leadership to advocate for improvements in medical education. This strengthened my skills in communication, collaboration, and advocacy.
As your PARO representative, I aim to be approachable and accessible. I hope to create a safe space where residents feel comfortable sharing concerns and bringing forward ideas. I have often been described as having a calm and compassionate demeanor, and I strive to be someone others can turn to during challenging or uncertain times. I am committed to advocating for resident wellness, improving access to resources, and ensuring that our voices are heard. I also hope to support practical initiatives that make residency life easier, including improving awareness of available resources and nutritious food options that accommodate different dietary needs.
Outside of medicine, you will find me walking, hiking, or enjoying ice cream with friends after a long day.
Residency is challenging, but we do not have to go through it alone. Together, we can build a supportive, inclusive, and empowering environment where every resident feels valued and represented.
I would be honoured to serve as your voice and advocate through PARO.
Dr. Rohan Desai
PGY-2 | TMU | Family Medicine-
Bio
As a first-year Family Medicine resident at TMU, I have had the privilege of serving as both the PARO General Council Representative and Site Chair. Entering these roles without prior guidance or mentorship was challenging, but it gave me the opportunity to learn firsthand how important resident advocacy, communication, and peer support are. Despite navigating many of these responsibilities independently, I successfully represented my colleagues, amplified residents’ voices, and worked to address their concerns throughout the year.
As I enter my second year, I am eager to build on that experience and continue the work we’ve started. I hope to take resident advocacy to the next level while ensuring that new residents have the guidance and support that we initially lacked. I want to help them become engaged with PARO, empower them to contribute, and foster a culture where every resident feels heard, supported, and represented.
Dr. Tanupriya Singh
PGY-1 | TMU | Family Medicine-
Bio
Hello everyone! I'm Tanupriya. A resident at Family Medicine at TMU. Before I was a resident here, I was a doctor in India, then in Dubai, and now in Canada. Which is a longer way of saying: I've been the new person in the room more times than I can count. I know what it feels like to start over; a new system, a new city, a new way of belonging, and to quietly wonder whether you'll ever quite fit in. That feeling is exactly why I'm running for PARO General Council. Residency asks so much of us, and added to that, for many of us, the quiet loneliness of finding our footing somewhere new. I don't believe anyone should carry that alone. What I care about most is making sure no resident, whether trained down the street or halfway across the world, ever feels invisible here.
If elected to the PARO General Council, I want to be the kind of representative you can actually reach out to; approachable, dependable, and genuinely in your corner. Someone who not only listens to your concerns but advocates for them, and helps build a training environment where every one of us feels supported and included, because I know how steep the climb into a new system can be, and no one should have to navigate it feeling unseen. Whether you're a Canadian graduate, an IMG, or somewhere in between, your perspective deserves a seat at the table, and I'll do everything I can to make sure it has one. Being part of this brand new program at TMU makes that feel especially meaningful, a rare chance to help shape what this community becomes, where every resident feels supported, heard, and genuinely at home. That, in the end, is what I value most about this work: the community we build with one another and the quiet ways we show up for each other on the hard days.
Outside the hospital, I'm usually elbow-deep in a chocolate bake of some kind, attempting Bollywood choreography in my kitchen, or I find myself missing being out-danced by my puppy. I love meeting people, so truly come say hello anytime. Residency is hard enough; no one should feel like an outsider in it. Trust me with your voice, and I'll make sure it's one of the loudest in the room. It would be an honour to represent you.
Dr. Dami Gbadebo
PGY-2 | TMU | Family Medicine-
Bio
Hi everyone,
It is a privilege to submit my nomination for the PARO General Council (GC) Representative for the TMU CFPC cohort.
I am putting my name forward because of my strong passion for advocacy, collaboration, and inclusive leadership.
As a member of the inaugural TMU Family Medicine residency cohort, I have had the unique opportunity to contribute to the growth of our program through several leadership roles. These include serving as a TMU School of Medicine Governing Council Member and as the Resident Representative on the Joint Clinical Faculty Development Subcommittee, among other initiatives. Through these experiences, I have worked alongside faculty and residents to help shape policies, strengthen communication, and promote an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Drawing on these experiences, I believe I can effectively represent our cohort at PARO General Council by ensuring that our collective voice is heard and by advocating for the improvements that will support our continued growth as a new medical school. In addition, I also believe I do share the zest that is felt among everyone for advocating for more TMU GC rep seats.
I am committed to listening to your perspectives, advocating on your behalf, and working collaboratively to help create the best possible learning environment for all of us and I will be gracefully honoured to earn your vote and share your voice as your PARO rep.
Thank you for your support!
Dr. Alireza Aliakbargolkar
PGY-2 | TMU | Family Medicine-
Bio
Residency can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be stressful, demanding, and isolating. During those moments, every resident deserves to know that someone will listen, take their concerns seriously, care, and follow through.
Over the past year, I have had the privilege of serving as our Family Medicine Resident Representative, working with residents and program leadership on issues affecting scheduling, communication, curriculum, and the broader educational experience. This role reinforced my belief that meaningful representation is not simply about attending meetings. It is about being accessible, understanding what residents are experiencing, and turning concerns into constructive action.
Throughout residency, I have been someone my colleagues feel comfortable approaching, whether by answering questions, supporting incoming residents, creating opportunities for residents to connect, or being available during stressful situations to listen. I have always worked toward a residency environment that is fair, respectful, supportive, and enjoyable for everyone.
If elected to PARO General Council, I will dedicate personal time outside of my clinical responsibilities to advocating for TMU residents. My priorities will include improving communication and access to PARO resources, supporting fair and efficient reimbursement processes, advocating for clear and consistent pathways when residents experience mistreatment or workplace concerns, and promoting wellness, connection, and community across both PGY-1 and PGY-2 cohorts.
I also believe effective advocacy requires partnership. I will seek residents' input regularly, communicate transparently, respect confidentiality, and act only with the involvement and consent of those affected.
I cannot promise that every concern will have the outcome we hope for. I can promise that I will listen carefully, follow up consistently, and advocate persistently, professionally, and fairly.
My goal is simple:
Every TMU resident should know they have someone in their corner.
It would be a privilege to have your trust and represent you at PARO.