Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Program: Gastroenterology Fellowship Program, Vancouver
What attracted you to your field?
The gastrointestinal (GI) system is incredibly fascinating, made up of multiple organs from gum to bum helping us digest, absorb and defend. It works in conjunction with the enteric nervous system which has over 500 million neurons, coined the “second brain.” As you can imagine, when such an intricate system malfunctions, it can have a considerably negative impact on health. Thankfully, the field is ever-growing with advances in endoscopy, novel targets for drug development and the evolving role of the gut microbiome allowing more effective management of GI diseases. Helping patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life has been both intellectually stimulating and deeply rewarding.
What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?
My residency started during the COVID-19 pandemic, so being on-call at the hospital as a resident amidst the daily uncertainties and constant influx of new information we were learning about the virus at the time were undoubtedly challenging. The loss of social support networks took it to a new level as patients were often alone in the hospital without their loved ones and frontline workers became the closest thing to family. Witnessing moments of true courage and humanity, both among patients and my colleagues, is something I will never forget.
What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Residency and fellowship are exciting times where you will encounter new experiences almost daily. However, it can be challenging transitioning to higher responsibilities and steeper learning curves while also making time for activities you enjoy outside of medicine. You may have periods where you stall, plateau or even doubt yourself. Through all of this, remember that learning is not linear. Focus on progress, not perfection. You aren’t alone in these challenges so don’t be afraid to ask for help – remember to be kind and be kind to yourself.
Tell us briefly about your research in layperson’s terms, and the impact you hope it will have?
Currently I’m investigating whether patients with cystic fibrosis have a higher chance of having celiac disease. Cystic fibrosis primarily affects the lungs but can also cause digestive health issues that mimic celiac disease. Undiagnosed celiac disease can put patients at a higher risk of malnutrition, poor quality of life and development of certain cancers. If the frequency of celiac disease in the cystic fibrosis population is found to be higher than that of the general population, it may hint at a connection between the two and also advocate for regular celiac disease screening in patients with cystic fibrosis.
What’s next for you?
More training! I’ll be doing another fellowship with a focus on gastrointestinal motility and disorders of the gut-brain interaction. GI motility issues are often chronic and debilitating with a significant impact on social functioning. Despite over 40 per cent of our population suffering from these disorders, there are less than a handful of motility specialists in our province leaving a large unmet need. I am eager to use new technology and a multi-disciplinary approach to help patients with motility disorders in our province.