Listed in order of submission
Electoral Group : Toronto Internal Medicine |
Positions : 8 |
Currently Running : 17
Dr. Max Jiang
PGY-3 | Toronto | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Thanks so much for checking out my profile! I'm Max, and I'm a PGY3 in internal medicine. I am super excited to run for re-election for the third time as your PARO IM rep!
The past two years have been nothing short of monumental, and together, we have accomplished much: 1) along with my colleagues Andrew and Sogol, I finalized the report of the first comprehensive survey in a decade (with hundreds of responses) on the Sunnybrook Shuttle experience, and delivered it to Dr. Calvin Law, Sunnybrook's VP of Education; 2) together with our RPC colleagues, we played an supportive role in the conduct of, and implementation from, the IM program internal reviews, and enacted tangible changes, especially the Sunnybrook morning report and MCR call shifts; 3) I sat on the executive committee of the Faculty Council and brought forward a genuine resident voice in front of a very senior audience. I've learned a great deal from my involvement last year – and gained a renewed appreciation for PARO's role in advocating for residents' rights.
When the idea of medical residency was first introduced 137 years ago, working-hour limits, fair compensation, post-call days, and workplace safety were alien concepts. From the dusty laboratories of Johns Hopkins to the old call rooms of Toronto General, generations of medical trainees, many of whom took substantial personal and professional risks, spoke up and stepped forward to achieve incremental progress that has dramatically changed the medical culture for the better. It is humbling to follow in their footsteps, and a joy to do so. After all, as the PARO motto goes, we've all been there, done that – inspired by our love of medicine.
Thank you for your consideration :)
Dr. Vrati Mehra
PGY-2 | Toronto | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hi everyone! I’m Vrati Mehra, a PGY2 Internal Medicine resident at UofT and I’m excited to be running for re-election as your PARO General Council rep.
Over the past year, I have had the privilege of advocating for IM residents and bringing forward issues that affect our day-to-day experiences across training sites. One of the wellness projects I worked on this year was helping secure a massage chair for Internal Medicine residents. It is currently in the process of being set up at St. Michael’s Hospital on the GIM service floor for all residents on CTU and subspecialties to enjoy while on call or during the day. My hope is that this small but meaningful addition will help create a more comfortable and supportive space for residents during busy clinical days and call shifts. This year, I hope to build on this work and help bring similar wellness initiatives to residents across all Internal Medicine sites.
Beyond this, I have worked to voice resident concerns around call rooms across our sites, the Sunnybrook shuttle, and the need for increased funding for Toronto resident events given the rising costs of hosting events in the city. I have also supported residents one-on-one by helping answer PARO-related questions and supporting residents with emails to the program around call stipends, religious accommodations, holiday requests, and access to benefits.
Internal Medicine is hard enough as it is, and you should not have to work hard to have your voice heard. I hope to continue being someone you can come to for support, guidance, and advocacy as you navigate the year ahead. With more experience on PARO, I hope to continue this work with even more energy and clarity. If re-elected, one of my goals is to help residents across Internal Medicine sites access wellness and comfort initiatives that matter to them - including applying for funding to make massage chairs available at all sites for IM residents, so this can be a reliable resource no matter where you work. I will also continue to be a strong advocate for residents and ensure your needs remain at the forefront of the work I do.
Thank you for taking the time to vote, your support means a lot! :)
Dr. Olivia So
PGY-2 | Toronto | Physical Medicine and Rehab.-
Bio
I am a second-year Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation resident at the University of Toronto and am passionate about fostering a residency experience where trainees feel supported, heard, and empowered to succeed. My experiences before and during residency have reinforced that the well-being of physicians in training is directly connected to the quality of care we provide our patients, making advocacy an essential part of medical education.
Before medical school, I worked as an ICU physiotherapist, collaborating within interdisciplinary teams to improve patient care through quality improvement initiatives and the development of mobility guidelines. Those experiences taught me the importance of listening to diverse perspectives, identifying barriers, and working collaboratively to create meaningful change, skills I continue to bring to residency.
As a resident, I strive to be approachable, thoughtful, and solutions-oriented. I value open communication and believe effective advocacy begins with understanding the experiences of others. Whether discussing opportunities, workload, wellness, or professional development, I want my colleagues to know they have someone who will listen, represent their concerns fairly, and advocate for solutions that improve training for everyone.
My interest in medical education, QI, and mentorship has strengthened my appreciation for the importance of creating learning environments where residents can thrive. I believe every resident deserves access to high-quality education, psychological safety, equitable opportunities, and the support needed to reach their full potential. When residents are equipped to be their best, patient care benefits as well.
As a PARO representative, I would be committed to amplifying the voices of my fellow residents, fostering collaboration between residents and program leadership, and advocating for initiatives that strengthen both the educational and professional experience of physicians in training. It would be a privilege to represent my colleagues and contribute to building a residency culture that is supportive, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving needs of Ontario's resident physicians.
Dr. Ari Ochuba
PGY-1 | Toronto | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hi everyone! I'm Ari, a PGY1 in Internal Medicine, and I'd love the chance to represent you on PARO's General Council.
Advocacy is where I feel most at home. As VP of Outreach for the Black Medical Students Association at Schulich and President of Black Aspiring Physicians of McMaster, I led teams, built community partnerships, and helped secure an $84K grant for youth programming. I've also mentored applicants from underrepresented backgrounds through the medical school admissions process, because I know how much real support can change someone's trajectory.
I've also spent years showing up for people navigating systems that weren't always built with them in mind through mentorship programs, community initiatives, and student leadership roles. These experiences taught me how to listen, organize, and turn concerns into concrete action. Now that I'm starting residency myself, I'm seeing up close the long hours and demands residents have. I want to bring my ability to show up and listen to what residents actually need to push for positive change.
I'd be honoured to have your support and to represent you on PARO's General Council. Thanks for reading, and hope to see you around!
Dr. Maham Rehman
PGY-3 | Toronto | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hello everyone! My name is Maham, and I am an R3 Internal Medicine resident running to be your PARO Internal Medicine Representative.
Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of serving on PARO and advocating for residents at the provincial level. During that time, I have contributed to several initiatives, including R1 Orientation and the Religious Observance Working Group, both aimed at improving the resident experience.
Within the Religious Observance Working Group, I have been involved in advancing equitable policies for residents requesting leave for religious observances. Looking ahead, I hope to continue contributing to the development of a practical toolkit that will help residency programs establish clear, consistent, and inclusive policies and processes surrounding religious holiday leave. Ensuring residents feel supported and represented, regardless of their background, is something I care deeply about.
Outside of PARO, I have a strong passion for medical education and resident mentorship. During residency, I have led the Internal Medicine Resident Interest Group in Medical Education, where I organized educational events, mentorship opportunities, and career panels to support residents professional growth. Throughout residency, I have continued to enjoy teaching medical students and junior residents and believe that fostering a supportive learning environment is an essential part of residency.
If elected, I hope to continue building on my experience in advocacy while remaining approachable and responsive to the needs of our program. I am committed to listening to your concerns, representing your perspectives, and working collaboratively with PARO and ensuring residency programs promote resident wellness, equity, professional development, and high-quality medical education.
It would be an honour to continue serving as your PARO Internal Medicine Representative. Thank you for your consideration, and I would greatly appreciate your support.
- Maham
Dr. Julianah Oguntala
PGY-3 | Toronto | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hello! My name is Julianah Oguntala, and I am a PGY-3 Internal Medicine resident. It would be an honour to represent you as a PARO General Council representative. Guided by the three pillars of the PARO Strategic Plan, my goal is to advocate for optimal training, optimal working conditions, and optimal transitions for all residents.
As a PARO GC representative in PGY1 & PGY2, I had the honour of serving as a lead for the Transition to Residency program for incoming residents. I facilitated their smooth transition by leading an information session and answering questions. Additionally, I represented residents on various medical education committees, ensuring our concerns were heard in key meetings. I also supported resident wellness during Residents Appreciation Week by providing treats in the residents’ lounge. I hope to continue this work and do even more as a PARO GC member.
Residency is a unique and challenging period in our training, and all residents should feel supported on this journey. As a PARO GC member, I will ensure that member feedback and PARO’s recommendations are heard and implemented across our programs.
I will also ensure that residents are well supported and that questions about the contract, including duty hours, compensation, and benefits, are answered promptly and accurately. I remain committed to advocating for changes that reflect our best interests.
Thank you for your consideration.
Dr. Nimit Vediya
PGY-1 | Toronto | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hi everyone! I'm Nimit, a PGY1 in Internal Medicine, and I'm running for PARO IM Council.
A lot of my life outside the hospital has involved noticing a gap and trying to fix it, sometimes before fully thinking through what I was signing up for. Blankets for T.O. started as a blanket drive in 2019 and is now a five-chapter initiative that's distributed over 30 000 supplies to more than 2000 people experiencing homelessness across the GTA. Along the way, I ended up negotiating with MPs and public health leaders on expedited vaccine access for vulnerable populations. More recently, I led the CFMS National Annual Survey, coordinating a team of ten students to reach over 2,000 medical students nationally. What stuck with me wasn't the survey itself, it was seeing how easily feedback can disappear into a spreadsheet nobody reopens if no one's actively pushing it forward.
As your rep, I want to dig into the things that quietly wear people down: getting religious accommodation questions answered clearly and consistently, the burden of EPA tracking, and better gym access at our sites, because a 26-hour call shift is hard enough without having to choose between sleep and squeezing in a workout somewhere off-site.
I don't think advocacy needs to be flashy to matter, it just needs to be consistent. I'd be honoured to represent you and to keep following through until these things actually change, not just get acknowledged.
Dr. Andy An
PGY-2 | Toronto | Int.Med-Neurology-
Bio
I'm Andy, a PGY-2 Neurology resident, and I'm excited to run for PARO General Council. I'm passionate about advocating for residents and fostering a training environment where we can thrive both professionally and personally.
During medical school, I served as Vice President Academic for the UBC Medical Undergraduate Society. In this role, I led a curriculum accreditation survey involving more than 900 medical students and worked closely with faculty and student leaders to translate that feedback into meaningful change. Together, we implemented stronger protections against retaliation from reporting mistreatment and discrimination, improved student lounge and study spaces, and advocated for wellness measures such as enforcing stricter time limits for clinical duties and call, minimizing commuting time through home hospital assignments, and expanding virtual access to learning materials. I also served as the MD/PhD program representative and social coordinator, organizing fun community-building events that strengthened connections among trainees.
These experiences taught me how to collaborate with diverse groups, listen thoughtfully, and develop practical solutions to complex challenges. Now as a resident, I hope to bring that same collaborative and solutions-oriented approach to PARO, ensuring that residents' voices are heard and that our concerns lead to tangible improvements in wellness, education, career development, research opportunities, and mentorship. I also hope to bring the perspective of a Neurology resident while working alongside colleagues across Internal Medicine and other specialties to advocate for changes that benefit all residents.
Above all, I want to hear from you. I am committed to being an approachable and responsive colleague who will listen, represent your interests, and work to improve our residency experience. Thank you for your consideration.
Dr. Veronica Chan
PGY-3 | Toronto | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hi everyone!
I’m Veronica - a PGY3 IM resident. I’ve really enjoyed being your representative for the past two years. I’ve really enjoyed helping to lead the orientation events for PGY1s, organize socials to bring our community together, and help with initiatives to improve resident experience. Some initiatives I’ve worked on include improving call room quality, advocating for safe rides home post call, and ensuring surgical residents are leaving post call on time. I would love for the opportunity to continue doing this for you all. My priorities as your representative would include:
1. Building community - organizing more social events that you guys want! In the beginning of the year, I will release a google form to see what everyone wants to do and form a plan for all our social events throughout the year. Popular events included Sweat and Tonic classes, Othership classes, arcade game nights, musical nights, Blue Jays nights, and more
2. Ensuring residency is a safe and enjoyable learning environment - increasing wellness initiatives for residents including resident coffee nights where we discuss difficult cases together and support each other, resident recognition program where there are monthly shout outs so people can be recognized for acts of kindness or teamwork
Thank you for reading, feel free to email me at vchan094@uottawa.ca if you have any further questions
Veronica Chan
Dr. Amna Zulfiqar
PGY-3 | Toronto | Int.Med-General-
Bio
As a PGY3 GIM resident, I am seeking election to PARO General Council to continue advocating for University of Toronto residents. Through my previous PARO involvement, I have supported colleagues navigating vacation requests and parental leave while protecting their training requirements and progression. I have also worked to improve call room environments, recognizing that safe, functional rest spaces are essential to resident wellness and patient care. As a member of the Transition to Residency Committee, I helped organize seminars that guided both international and Canadian medical graduates through the challenges of starting residency. Beyond PARO, I have participated formally and informally in several near-peer mentorship initiatives, coaching junior residents and medical students on how to adapt, succeed, and thrive during training. I hope to bring this experience, collaborative approach, and commitment to General Council, where I will continue championing resident wellness, equitable supports, and improvements to the resident experience. Thank you for taking the time to vote :)
Dr. Julie Midroni
PGY-1 | Toronto | Int.Med-Neurology-
Bio
Hello! I'm Julie, a PGY1 Neurology resident hoping to represent you as part of our electoral group. I'm excited to bring an early-residency viewpoint to our group, to ensure residents in our group at U of T feel supported, and to convey your concerns.
As a new PGY1, I have an up-to-date perspective on what it's like to hit the ground running. From little things, like minor confusions encountered filling out or CMPA paperwork, to bigger priorities including call, adequate supervision, and protected time, I am already developing a sense of where PARO has really shone in its role as our union - and where there is still some work to be done. Especially during a challenging time like transitioning to residency, it's important that we have a union that we can rely on, so that we can focus on doing what we want to do: caring for patients and learning.
I'm not new to advocacy in general, having founded my own charity organization to fundraise and raise awareness for Tourette syndrome back in 2020. Speaking specifically to medicine, I currently have roles in post-graduate curricular development at U of T, designing guidelines and structures to keep our training technologically up-to-date. I have had the opportunity to hear and respond to resident feedback in this role, as well as to work alongside university and hospital administrators and staff clinicians. While PARO represents us as employees, this is not completely separable from our role as learners, and I intend to draw on that curricular experience if I am selected to represent you next year. I also hope to draw on my role as a non-internal medicine resident to ensure that our group represents the diverse perspectives and unique needs of all the specialties we are responsible for.
Dr. Liam Jackman
PGY-1 | Toronto | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hi everyone! I'm Liam, a first-year Internal Medicine resident!
If elected as your PARO representative, I’m committed to being approachable, responsive, and someone you can count on. I want internal medicine residents to feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and experiences knowing they’ll be taken seriously. I’ll make sure to communicate openly and ensure that our perspectives are considered in conversations that shape our residency experience.
I practiced as a pharmacist before medicine and have spent years working alongside physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. I have experienced firsthand how profoundly the systems we work within shape the care we provide. I want to contribute to a system where we, residents, feel supported and empowered to deliver the best care possible.
If elected, some areas I’ll focus on include:
1. Schedules
I’ll advocate for equitable duty hours, equitable call distribution, and a balance between service and education, using your feedback to identify opportunities for improvement.
2. Compensation
I’ll ensure residents feel comfortable asking questions about compensation, including call stipends, vacation leave, professional leave, and other PARO entitlements. I’ll advocate for greater awareness and transparency in general, providing support navigating these issues as they arise.
3. Resident support
I’ll advocate for a culture where residents feel respected, supported, and comfortable raising concerns, while helping ensure they understand the resources available to them.
Thank you for taking the time to vote!
Dr. Tony Ning
PGY-1 | Toronto | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hello! I’m Tony, a PGY1 Internal Medicine resident and I'm excited to have the chance to represent you as part of PARO General Council.
Having worked as a pharmacist prior to residency and being heavily involved in program improvement and knowledge translation, I've seen both sides of the coin when it comes to improving the residency experience. Like many of you, I've noticed that what quietly wears residents down isn't always the clinical work, it's the cumulative burden of things like outdated physical environments, high administrative burden, and working long hours all across the city.
1. Improving physical aspects of the residency experience, including advocating for improved call room amenities, more snacks and drinks in resident lounge areas, ensuring call time limits are enforced, reducing the commute burden around Toronto hospitals, and organizing wellness, social, and mentorship initiatives for the resident body
2. Streamlining the experience for administrative tasks, including getting clear answers for religious, cultural, and personal accommodations, improving the EPA experience, maintaining strictly confidential systems for feedback and learning mistreatment reporting, and sending reminders for important dates, deadlines, and opportunities to PARO members.
What I've realized throughout the years is that improvement does not happen overnight, it occurs bit-by-bit, with hard work and creative solutions. I hope to represent the amazing residents of Toronto to make the residency experience better, day by day. Thank you! -Tony
Dr. Monique Botros
PGY-1 | Toronto | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hello everyone! My name is Monique and I am an R1 IM at UofT. I’m very excited to run for a position with PARO!
A bit about me I love baking anything- pies, sourdough (except my starter is dead… I think), cookies and cakes! I also love eating so you can find me at a new restaurant every week. When I’m not doing that I’m bingeing reality TV (learning about human sociology).
In the past I’ve led orientation weeks at both UofT Medicine and in my undergrad Queen’s, and it’s genuinely one of my favourite things, meeting people and making sure everyone feels included.
As a representative, I’d focus on three things: first, collecting feedback on evaluations including EPAs, and how to integrate them better so they’re helpful without being burdensome. Second, building out learning and education supports for continual growth. Third, real wellness, like food, Ubers, and whatever people actually need to be well. Thanks for considering me!
Dr. Saba Manzoor
PGY-3 | Toronto | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hi everyone!
My name is Saba Manzoor and I am a PGY-3 Internal Medicine resident at the University of Toronto. I am excited to be seeking re-election to PARO General Council. This role has meant a great deal to me, and I believe there is still meaningful work ahead. Effective advocacy is often unglamorous: audits, follow-up, and making sure concerns reach the right people. Here is what I worked on this term, and where I hope to take things next.
This term: deliverables
1. Call room audits: documented on-call conditions at Toronto teaching sites against collective agreement standards and brought findings forward through Council.
2. Resident Appreciation Week: coordinated recognition events at our site to acknowledge residents during a demanding stretch of the academic year.
3. Contract support: helped residents navigate implementation questions and grievances, connecting colleagues to the right resources within PARO's structure.
Next term: my priorities
1. Call room follow-through: work with Council to ensure audit findings have named owners and reported outcomes at each meeting, so gaps get closed rather than noted.
2. Safe Ride uptake: develop a simple, site-specific resource to improve awareness among residents who do not know the program exists or feel uncertain about using it.
3. Resident Appreciation Week expansion: coordinate across more sites and align events with the moments in the academic year when morale tends to be lowest.
I would be grateful for your continued support.
Dr. Rakan Okde
PGY-4 | Toronto | Int.Med-Haematology-
Bio
Dear fellow residents,
My name is Rakan, and I am a PGY4 resident in Hematology. I am pleased to submit my application to join the PARO General Council.
Over the past two years, I served as Vice-President of Union Affairs for my residents’ association in Quebec. In this role, I gained direct experience advocating for residents’ rights during the implementation of a new collective agreement. I participated in discussions regarding its interpretation and application, worked with clinical sites to address local concerns, and helped ensure that residents were informed about changes affecting their working conditions.
This experience taught me that effective representation requires integrity, clear communication, and a strong understanding of both the collective agreement and the realities residents face in different training environments. Through regular meetings with hospital leadership and clinical sites, I developed productive relationships with key stakeholders and learned how to raise concerns constructively while remaining focused on practical solutions.
I also contributed to broader advocacy initiatives through the Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec, including efforts to document resident work hours, communicate developments in collective bargaining, and increase awareness of the workload and responsibilities carried by residents.
I believe this experience would translate particularly well to the PARO General Council as Ontario’s current agreement approaches expiry. Having participated in the implementation of a new agreement in Quebec, I understand the importance of gathering resident feedback, communicating developments clearly, and ensuring that negotiated protections are applied consistently across training sites.
It would be a privilege to contribute my experience, perspective, and commitment to resident advocacy to PARO. I would be honoured to represent my colleagues and support PARO’s work in advancing fair working conditions and a strong resident voice across Ontario.
Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Rakan Okde
Dr. Nick Bauer
PGY-1 | Toronto | Int.Med-General-
Bio
Hi everyone – I’m Nick, a first-year Internal Medicine resident.
I am inspired to become your PARO representative from the example set by my mom. For the majority of my life, my mom worked in the front end of Superstore and the men in my family all work in the trades. As such, things like scheduling conflicts, worker mistreatment, and unsafe working conditions were often a discussion at our dinner table. Against the challenges my mom faced at work, she began increasingly advocating for her fellow workers through her union. In fact, she complained so much, her union offered her a job (where she now works!).
During medical school and inspired by my mom’s complaining, I learned how to represent my classmates as the UofT Internal Medicine Clerkship Representative as well as by sitting on the Department of Medicine Education Executive Committee. In these roles, I became experienced with liaising with faculty, representing learner issues, and advocating for equitable curricular change.
If chosen to be your PARO representative, I hope to bring my advocacy skills to the collective bargaining table. My top goals would be:
1.Advocating for fair work hours: I will never buy into the propaganda that we have been fed that resident work hours are safe. Further, the activation system creates unfair situations where learners can work >100hrs per week (“as long as it averages out to 80 hours/week in the block”). I intend to continually apply pressure to advocate for safer work hours.
2.Expanding benefits/compensation: union benefits have given me access to things throughout my life that my family wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford. I am interested in continually expanding PARO benefits and keeping resident compensation on pace with Ontario’s high (and increasing!) cost of living.
3.Addressing the feedback system: let’s face it, EPAs are just more hoops to jump through for both faculty and learners. I intend to adapt the “Competency By Design” (CBD) feedback system to be more streamlined and effective.
Thank you for considering me, I look forward to hopefully becoming your official complainer!