A member of the Francophone MD2027 cohort, Marie-Sophie contributes to program outreach, student recruitment, and the representation of issues affecting Francophone learners. Maya, a class representative in the pharmacy program, places a strong emphasis on listening, accessibility, and building connections so that her peers feel heard and supported.
Two different paths, united by the same goal: helping build a strong, inclusive, and forward-looking Francophone health community.
Building Connections to Better Represent Students, by Maya Al-Haj
What motivates me most in my role as class representative in the pharmacy program is the opportunity to connect with people. I enjoy getting to know the individuals I share this journey with, talking with them, and gaining a better understanding of their experiences. For me, these connections are what make my involvement truly meaningful.
As a representative, I want to be someone who is approachable and whom my classmates can turn to with a question, concern, or suggestion. In a demanding program like pharmacy, I believe it is important for everyone to feel heard and to have the opportunity to contribute to conversations about our student experience.
This role is also an opportunity for me to learn. It encourages me to build my confidence, strengthen my listening and communication skills, and collaborate with the other representatives and the program team. I may not always have all the answers, but I am committed to asking questions, understanding, and doing my very best!
Giving Francophone Students a Stronger Voice in Medicine, by Marie-Sophie H. Hill
My name is Marie-Sophie H. Hill, and I am a medical student in the Francophone MD2027 cohort at the University of Ottawa. As co-representative for Francophone Affairs, I represent the interests of Francophone students and help promote the Francophonie within the Faculty of Medicine. Having grown up in Ottawa, I am proud of my Franco-Ontarian identity and of my experience living and studying in a minority-language environment.
My involvement has included recruitment activities in Sudbury in 2024 and Toronto in 2025, where I presented the Francophone program and led hands-on workshops on suturing, injections, intubation, and casting. I have also taken part several times in the Faculty’s Mini-Med School activities, leading workshops and anatomy lab sessions to teach key concepts and answer questions from high school and university students interested in medicine. I also participated in the Discovery Day panel, where I shared my experience and academic journey and answered questions from prospective applicants interested in medicine.
Within my cohort, I act as a spokesperson on issues related to the Francophonie, including raising concerns about disparities between resources available in French and English. I also share research opportunities related to the active offer of French-language services and encourage my classmates to take part in Francophone Affairs initiatives. For me, this role is a concrete way to support Francophone health and to contribute to improving access to healthcare services in French in Ontario.