by Claudine Gervais

For many in Manitoba’s medical community, mentorship is more than just guidance. It’s a lifeline. With 515 participants, the Doctors Manitoba Mentorship Program continues to grow as a place for connection, learning, and wellness.
A Community Built on Support

Medical school and residency can be both exhilarating and exhausting. 

“Having a strong mentorship group helped me ride through the wave that was medical school and residency,” said Dr. William Li, a pediatrician and member of the Doctors Manitoba Board of Directors, at a mentorship kick-off event in October. ​“It was comforting knowing there were always people there who had my back.” 

That sense of belonging is echoed across the program. For medical student, (M2) Ainsley Cameron, hearing others’ experiences was invaluable. Familiar with the program through her brother, a resident, she said she was grateful for the chance to connect and learn about the benefits of mentorship firsthand.
Maya Polevoi (M2), attending her first Doctors Manitoba event, said she looked forward to hearing diverse perspectives from mentors and her fellow medical learners. Eastyn Yuen (M1) emphasized that mentorship ​“provides experience and exposure to different parts of medicine,” while Avalon Kunzig (M2) shared how important it was to build connections she wouldn’t have been able to make otherwise. 

Lessons, Laughter, and Lasting Ties

For Skylar Nowrang (M2), mentorship has also meant community outside of classroom walls. ​“We’ve had dinners together with our group,” she said. ​“I love the extra events, there’s always great food and great prizes!” The fall kickoff at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre included a buffet dinner and an improv show, while upcoming events include terrarium-making and other smaller-scale connection events to fill out the mentorship year calendar.
Danielle Schwartz’s (M2) mentorship experience took her beyond the hospital setting when Dr. Hygiea Casiano offered her the opportunity to visit the Women’s Correctional Centre, an eye-opening experience for students. 

Mentors, too, gain from these exchanges. ​“It’s important to have a support system and to see what’s ahead of you. I wanted to provide that support,” said Dr. Rukhsana Foster. 

Dr. Pooja Kadakia (R1), here for residency from out of province, attended her first mentorship event, while Ghazaleh Zakipour, said the program has been invaluable. ​“It helps you choose from the many paths in medicine.” 

Passing it Forward

Dr. Alon Golubchik, an internal medicine resident, said, ​“Having a mentor early in your career is so important. You pick up the small things they do as well as the big things.” What he appreciates about Manitoba’s medical community is the openness: ​“There doesn’t seem to be a strict hierarchy here. You can talk to others without feeling intimidated.” 

That kind of accessibility resonates with Dr. Jonathan Elkin, who has been mentoring for a decade. ​“I’ve now worked with three former students at the Assiniboine Clinic,” he shared. ​“It’s a way for students to get to know the clinic.” When they’re recruited, it helps sustain patient care across the province, he added. 

“Remember Your Why”

For Tamarah Singh M3, mentorship offers a two-way benefit. 

“It’s helped me so much,” she said, ​“but mentors have also told me that working with learners brings them back to their own reasons for becoming physicians. They’ve said it is refreshing to ​‘remember your why.’” 

Dr. Li, who has been part of the mentorship program for six years, agrees: ​“One of the coolest things about mentorship is watching growth unfold. Seeing a student go from pre-clerkship to the wards, to residency, to becoming staff physicians themselves. The most beautiful part is seeing the residents take the new students under their wing, seeing the clerkship students helping the pre-clerkship students. We’re not only participating in mentorship but also teaching and learning how to be mentors ourselves. 

Beyond Mentorship: Wellness and Connection 

While mentorship is an important piece of physician wellness, Dr. Li reminded colleagues that other supports are available. ​“For anyone who isn’t feeling well, those facing burnout, depression, or thoughts of suicide, please reach out. Doctors Manitoba offers counselling, peer support, and leadership development through Doc360. Help is always available.”

Looking Ahead

As the 2025 mentorship year unfolds, enthusiasm is high. 

“Seeing everyone here makes me optimistic about the future of health care,” said Dr. Li. ​“I can’t wait to see the new connections and community we continue to build.” 

And as Cynthia Okojie, Mentorship and Member Engagement Coordinator, puts it: ​“Building relationships early not only accelerates personal growth but also creates lasting connections that positively shape medical culture.” 

Reach out to Cynthia at cokojjie@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca for more information and to learn about leadership training opportunities for mentors in the program through the Physician Leadership Institute. 

The Mentorship Program is always in need of mentors! Sign up to mentor a medical learner today!