News

Becoming a physician was always part of Cindy Ochieng’s endgame, but the 23-year-old Annapolis Valley native made it her personal mission to really explore her goal along the way.

“I decided to take anthropology and biology as a double major during my undergrad; going through high school I was really interested in science and the body. While I was working through my undergrad, I was offered a rare opportunity.”

The opportunity was a trip to Nairobi, Kenya. For two months, Cindy shadowed physicians in oncology wards and volunteered in HIV/AIDS clinics, focusing a lot of her time helping the children at these sites.

“Before that trip, the idea of helping communities and people was more abstract to me. I knew that it was what I wanted – I’ve worked with adults with intellectual disabilities, and volunteered in physio clinics and hospitals – but coming back from Kenya I could see the bigger picture and how that idea could evolve.”

Cindy’s experiences abroad showed her the qualitative side of medicine and the narratives that can take place within a medical system. With the big picture realized, Cindy returned to Canada and enrolled in a medical anthropology masters program at the University of Toronto.

“Seeing the many ways that medicine intersects communities is what prompted that decision,” said Cindy. “I realized that through anthropology, I could keep exploring medicine.”

During her masters, Cindy built a particular interest in global health issues, like the disparities between global medical systems.

“There are different standards of health in the global community, and I’ve been fortunate to learn from a couple,” said Cindy. “Each has incredibly resourceful physicians, and it’s clear just how important a doctor’s role can be.”

After finishing her masters program, Cindy felt assured in the path she was taking.  With her sights set firmly on a future in medicine, Cindy selected Dalhousie as her medical school of choice.

“I applied to Dal med because I heard about small class sizes and great case studies,” Cindy said. “The curriculum hasn’t disappointed, and the faculty here – who are the same clinicians practicing in Maritime hospitals – are second-to-none.”

Since coming to Dalhousie Medical School, Cindy has been exploring the volunteer opportunities available to her. She's become a member of regional and national research advisory groups for youth with HIV/AIDS, and has found opportunities to shadow Dalhousie’s clinicians inside patient care environments.

“It’s amazing to be inside clinical environments so early in your training. It’s also helping me to determine where I want to go next. I’m taking time to interact with doctors, attend public lectures and interest groups, and learn more about specialties.”

Cindy says that although she’s interested in following opportunities in anatomy and physiology, she’s fully aware that there’s more to medicine than biology.

“I’ve had the chance to see and understand how complex people’s lives can be, how I can contribute with impact, and how all aspects of culture can relate to medical care. I don’t feel pressured to take a particular focus, and I’m excited to see where medicine will take me."