Discover journeys shaped by curiosity, perseverance, bilingualism and a deep desire to better serve Francophone communities.
Reconnecting with my community to better serve it, by Marie-Ève Paquette (RX2030)
I had the privilege of growing up in a small, predominantly Francophone community in Ontario. I completed all my schooling in French while also learning English. This experience, which is relatively rare in our province, helped shape the person I am today. My values and traditions are deeply rooted in the Francophone community.
However, moving to Ottawa to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences came as a real culture shock. Almost overnight, most of the conversations around me were taking place in English. I struggled to fit in and to regain the sense of belonging I had always known. This transition made my first year of university particularly challenging, both personally and academically.
Over time, I adapted to my new environment. I met friends with whom I could share my culture, talk about our childhoods and finally feel at home. My work at Montfort Hospital also strengthened my belief that access to health care services in French is essential. I saw first-hand how receiving care in one’s mother tongue fosters understanding, builds trust and improves adherence to treatment.
Today, I am prouder than ever to be part of the Francophone community and grateful for the opportunity to continue my studies in French. This fall, I am beginning the undergraduate Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at the University of Ottawa—the very first French-language pharmacy program offered outside Quebec.
This program plays an essential role in meeting the needs of Francophone minority communities. Everyone deserves access to health care professionals who can understand them and provide care in their language. By pursuing my studies in French, I hope to one day provide accessible care to Francophone communities and, in turn, help strengthen the vitality of French in health care.
Bilingualism: moving forward without going it alone, by Jean-Paul Azzi (MD2030)
During my bachelor’s degree in Translational and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa, I joined Dr. Jeffrey Perry’s team at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. My project focused on a clinical decision rule involving echocardiography and gave me the opportunity to present my findings at the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians’ 2026 conference. This fall, I will take another important step as I begin the French stream of the MD program at the Faculty of Medicine.
Like many students, I have had to learn how to balance my studies, research, community involvement and other responsibilities. I came to understand that success depends not only on working hard, but also on managing one’s time effectively, asking for help and recognizing one’s limits.
Bilingualism has also played a central role in my journey. In both French and English, I have been able to build a support network of peers and mentors while discovering experiences and communities that I might not otherwise have encountered.
Through Let’s Talk Science, I took part in French-language activities for youth from Black communities, during which we worked on electric motors. This experience taught me to seek to understand the person in front of me rather than make assumptions about their lived experience—a lesson I hope to carry with me into medicine.
To me, bilingualism is far more than a language skill. It is a way to discover different perspectives, form new connections and build a network that helps us overcome challenges. My advice to those beginning their journey is to fully embrace the opportunities that come their way, even when those opportunities take them beyond their comfort zone, and never hesitate to ask for help.
An obstacle is not a limit, by Kayla Absi (MD2030)
I have always sought to understand the “why.” Why does the body react in a certain way? How can a disruption at the molecular level affect the entire body? This curiosity has stayed with me throughout my journey, from the International Baccalaureate program in high school to my university studies in French at the University of Ottawa.
My choice of academic program was not immediate. I began in biomedical science before switching to life sciences with a minor in health sciences. However, what draws me to medicine extends far beyond science. My experiences within the health care system, followed by my work as a clerk in family medicine and obstetrics and gynecology, introduced me to another equally important dimension: a physician’s ability to transform a moment of uncertainty through their knowledge, but also through the way they listen, offer reassurance and remain present. It is this intersection of scientific rigour and human connection that draws me so deeply to medicine.
My journey has also taught me that making progress does not always mean moving in a straight line. My first year of university was more difficult than I had imagined and led me to doubt my abilities. I had to rethink my study methods, structure my days more effectively and learn to protect my well-being. Ultimately, this challenge taught me to work with greater intention rather than simply work more.
During that same year, I worked as a Page at the House of Commons. In a demanding and constantly evolving environment, I learned to communicate professionally, adapt quickly, work as part of a team and remain calm under pressure. This experience also showed me that leadership is not always about speaking the loudest; it is about being reliable, attentive and ready to act when others are counting on you.
Born at Montfort Hospital, I grew up in Ottawa and completed all my schooling in French. Beginning my medical studies in the French stream allows me to continue my journey in the language and community that shaped my identity. The Francophone community is not only the one in whose language I study; it is also the community whose patients I hope to care for in French. It is part of who I am and of the physician I hope to become: competent, compassionate and empathetic, with the ability to build trusting relationships with the people in my care.
If I could share one message with future applicants who doubt their abilities, it would be this: do not mistake an obstacle for a limit. A journey does not need to be perfect or linear to lead us exactly where we want to go.