“We advocated to the OMA for early supports, like a birth doula, lactation support, increased IVF support, how important this is and how infertility rates in physicians are up to 40%. We were able to get a lot of things done. I feel like the system has a long way to go to recognize that this is important work. But its upward progress” - Dr. Samira Jeimy

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Jeimy, a program director in Clinical Immunology and Allergy at Western University and assistant professor at Western University’s Department of Medicine. Join us on this episode as we learn about her experience having children during residency, the importance of having a strong mentor, and her family planning advocacy as the OMA Women's Chair.

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Contact Information

Samira Jeimy, MD
Email: samira.Jeimy@lhsc.on.ca

Dr. Jeimy completed her undergraduate medical training and internal medicine residency at the University of Toronto, followed by clinical immunology and allergy fellowship at Western University. She also completed PhD studies in medical sciences at McMaster University, supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Banting and Best Doctoral Award.

Dr. Jeimy is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in internal medicine and in clinical immunology and allergy. She is also board certified through the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is a co-chair of the CSACI scientific abstract review committee and a member of the Competency-based Medical Education (CBME) steering committee at Western University.

Dr. Jeimy’s research interests include food allergy, chronic urticaria and angioedema, drug allergy, and quality improvement. She is passionate about patient education and maintains several online platforms, including https://www.instagram.com/drsamirajeimy/

“I was going to go to medical school, but I wasn’t going to let that dictate how I made other life choices. Starting a family was always something that was very important for me. The best thing you can give yourself is a life you will have no regrets about.” - Abby Kapsack

In this episode, we chat with Abby Kapsack, a medical student at the University of Toronto. We learn about her journey with family planning and family building during medical school. Join us as we delve into the joys of balancing a family and career, the pros and cons of taking time off, and the need for open conversations about family planning.

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Contact Information

Abby Kapsack
Email: abby.kapsack@mail.utoronto.ca

Abby Kapsack is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Toronto. Prior to medical school, she earned an HBSc in Biomedical Science from York University. Abby is deeply committed to learner wellness, medical education, and advocacy work. She actively participating in initiatives that support these areas and is one of the founding members of Family Planning For Docs. Abby is excited to share her journey with you all and would be thrilled to connect with you!

“I would say know yourself as a person, and understand yourself outside of your role as a doctor, outside of your career in medicine, because it's just part of who you are. It's not all of who you are.” - Dr. Shirin Dason

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Shirin Dason, a Gynecologic Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) fellow. We learn about her journey with family planning, juggling fellowship with having young children and her valuable advice to other medical learners.

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Contact Information

Dr. Shirin Dason, M.D.
Email: shirin.dason@alum.utoronto.ca
Twitter: @dason_shirin

Dr. Shirin Dason is an obstetrician gynecologist and currently completing her clinical fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Mount Sinai Fertility, University of Toronto. She has spearheaded the resource hub at www.familyplanningfordocs.com with her team to highlight useful information about family planning in a medical career.

“We love having kids because we see them as better versions of ourselves, and we have the opportunity to try and guide them into people who are just really good people.” - Dr. Bev Young

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Bev Young, psychiatrist and co-founder of BRIA. We talk about rebranding your career in medicine, how childrens’ perspectives on your job change over time, mental health for women across the reproductive ages, and nurturing your relationship with your partner over time.

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Contact Information

Dr. Bev Young, M.D.
Email: bev@betterbria.com

Dr. Bev Young is a psychiatrist and co-founder of BRIA, a Canadian virtual mental health clinic for women across the reproductive life stages (trying to conceive, pregnant, postpartum and perimenopause).

You can check out BRIA here: www.betterbria.com

“I think it's just important to decide what you want in your career and decide what you want in your personal life, and not let one stop you from achieving your goals in the other. Because you just need to make the decision and then figure out all the details later, you can make it work.” - Dr. Andrea Copeland

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Andrea Copeland, a recent graduate of the Plastic Surgery residency program at McMaster University. We talk about her experience having children during residency, starting a new fellowship in Australia and the supportive circle she has.

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Contact Information

Dr. Andrea Copeland, M.D.
Email: acopeland91@gmail.com

“I guess people looking at me from the outside must have thought that I had to make a decision or a compromise between a career and a family, but I always knew that I was going to do both.” - Dr. Heather Shapiro

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Heather Shapiro, an Obstetrics and Gynecologist and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) specialist. We learn about Dr. Shapiro’s leadership roles, her perspectives on the change in work culture over the years, and the best parts of being a mother and grandmother.

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Contact Information

Dr. Heather Shapiro, M.D.
Email: Heather.shapiro@sinaihealthsystem.ca

Dr. Heather Shapiro is an obstetrician gynecologist by training. She also completed a clinical fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Heather Shapiro focuses on reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Mount Sinai Hospital, and currently holds the position of Vice-Chair Education at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Toronto. She is also an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. She is interested in the laboratory education of embryologists.

“The first thing I’m going to say, and this is what I encourage to all our residents, is to ensure that you do set aside prioritized time.” - Dr. Peter Ferguson

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Peter Ferguson, an Orthopedic surgeon and Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Toronto. We talk about his perspectives balancing fatherhood and residency 20 years ago, the evolution of medical training policies in support of family planning, and the work that’s still left to do. We hear about his own challenges and support systems as a parent, and his encouragement for residents to prioritize family.

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Contact Information

Dr. Peter Ferguson, MSc, M.D.
Twitter: @Toronto_Ortho
Email: Peter.ferguson@sinaihealth.ca

Dr. Peter Ferguson is an Albert and Temmy Latner Professor, Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery and an Orthopaedic surgeon at the University of Toronto. He was the former program director for Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Toronto. His research interests include tissue engineering techniques, wound healing and biomechanical modeling of metastatic lesions in long bone.

“Part of what physician wellness ends up being is your ability to balance your career with your parenting goals” - Dr. Sharon Domb

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Sharon Domb, an academic family physician at Sunnybrook Hospital, with a fellowship in women’s health and obstetrics. We talk about changes in maternity leave policies, the importance of soul searching in medical school, and her relationships with her children. We also hear about Dr. Domb’s thoughts on using priorities to guide important career and personal life decisions.

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Contact Information

Dr. Sharon Domb, M.D.

Email: Sharon.domb@sunnybrook.ca

Dr. Domb is a family physician who has been practicing full-spectrum obstetrical care for over 20 years. After completing a residency in family medicine she pursued additional training through a fellowship in women’s health and obstetrics. Dr. Domb teaches obstetrical skills to residents and has taught numerous obstetrical emergency skills courses to physicians and midwives. She has been the recipient of multiple teaching awards. Dr. Domb is passionate about the critical and unique role that family physicians play in the provision of obstetrical care to women, while integrating the needs of their families.