Meet Team BLΛST : Your 2025 O-Week Leaders

Shakil Popatia, Y2 Medical Student

Hometown: Markham, Ontario

My name is Shakil, but all my friends know me as Shak! I am an incoming second-year medical student at the University of Toronto, and I previously attended McMaster University within the Bachelor of Health Sciences Program. I could not be where I am today without the endless support from my family, friends, and mentors. So, before anything, I want to take a moment to thank those who believed in me before I believed in myself.

As I have finished my first year at UofT, I want to share reflections of my journey thus far. The transition to Medicine was quite daunting at first. It was a completely new setting for me, and I had no idea what to expect. I quickly understood why I was told Medical School was hard. For me, it was not the content or testing that was necessarily the culprit. The difficulty lay in trying to balance a full and healthy lifestyle with the privilege of being a medical student. I found difficulty in trying to balance spending time with my family and friends, having fun, eating on time, sleeping enough, my gym grind, playing video games with long-distance friends, being a good student, shadowing, research, extracurriculars, and continuing to explore my passions. While I am still trying to navigate everything, I have devised a system that has served me quite well. I came up with a list of priorities and labeled what was “non-negotiable” such as exploring my passions (my love for music as an example) vs things I was willing to compromise on such as spending money to order food if I did not have the time to cook or losing an hour or two of sleep if it meant staying up late to talk to friends. At the end of the day, everyone values aspects of their lives differently, and I have come to learn that balance does not necessarily mean an even 50/50 split between the things you prioritize.

The most memorable moments from the beginning of school were from the little interactions I had with my now close friends. Whether the conversations were sparked from a common interest or a shared compliment, the effort I put into meeting people and being genuine was something I hold great value in today. It has directly impacted how enjoyable this whole experience has been, and I have made lifelong friends along the way. What I learned is that people will always remember how you first treated them. Be curious and step out of your comfort zone. Say hi to the person whose name you forgot, and compliment someone on their first day of school outfit. That being said, you do not have to please everyone. At first, you may feel the urge to say yes to every invite and every hangout, and I get how exciting that can be. However, it is okay to say no if it means you get some time to rest and find a little peace. Once again, it is all about finding the balance that works for you.

I knew I wanted to be an involved student as UofT has so many resources for me to pursue my passions. Most notably, my love for music and for leadership has directly impacted the extracurriculars I prioritize and sought after in my Medical School Life. Most notably, these include participating in Daffy (Temerty’s Musical) to now being the co-director this upcoming year, being a Fitzgerald Academy Representative alongside one of my closest friends, directing the 2025 Admissions Video, and now being part of Team BLΛST. I said yes to a lot of things and really tried my best to put myself out there. While I did feel overworked and stretched thin at times, I never regretted a single thing because at the end of the day, I was exploring my established passions. This is why I suggest seeking extracurriculars you know you will enjoy doing. Medical School is a busy time. You want to make sure you spend your free time actually doing the things you like.

As I continue to navigate this aspect of my life, I look forward to building upon the communities I have created and am a part of. Having people to rely on and being able to support others in the same way has genuinely made this one of the most enjoyable journeys I have been through. Medicine is rooted in community, and I plan on staying connected to the amazing people around me through it all. Best, Shak

Alyssa Wang, Y2 Medical Student 

Hometown: North York, Ontario

My name is Alyssa and I’ll be heading into my second year of medical school at the University of Toronto. Before this, I studied Medical Sciences at Western University. 

Growing up, I considered everything from computer science to business, but ultimately, was drawn to medicine for how it allows you to serve and connect with people during their most vulnerable moments. Along the way, I’ve been lucky to have incredible people shape my journey: my hardworking and kind parents, whose sacrifices and unconditional belief in me have been my greatest source of strength; compassionate doctors who cared for me not just as a patient, but as a person; and friends who encouraged me to keep going through challenging days. The same reasons that inspired me to choose medicine and the people who helped me get here, have also been the anchors that guided me through my first year. 

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that medical school is not meant to be done alone. Building a community of friends and mentors who challenge and support you is just as vital as the papers you read and lectures you watch. In my own journey, having a diverse group of friends who I can truly trust has made all the difference, turning moments of hardship into shared laughter and cherished memories. This has also allowed me to maintain balance in my work. For example, taking the evenings off to hang out with friends after mastery exercises, going to extracurricular/community events together, or even trying different workout classes together. It encourages me to schedule personal time with the same commitment I give to academic deadlines.

If I could go back to my first week, I’d tell myself that you don’t need to have everything figured out. You may feel pressure to know exactly what specialty you want to pursue or to understand every single concept right away, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to be uncertain. Take first year as an opportunity to explore new things and build good habits! Shadow on Wednesdays to understand what you like and don’t like, join different extracurricular clubs to build community, and work on projects that feel meaningful to you. When you approach new experiences with curiosity rather than the fear of falling behind, you’ll learn more than you expect. 

Looking ahead, I want to continue to deepen my knowledge and skills so that I can better support patients and their families in the future. The desire to form meaningful, lasting connections is what drew me to medicine and so far, my shadowing experiences and conversations with mentors have reinforced that the trust and human connection you offer to patients is what leaves the deepest impact. As I continue my training, I hope to bring forward the same kindness, patience, and unwavering support that I’ve been fortunate to receive so that I can provide my future patients with the best care I can give.

Adham Elsherbini, Y2 Medical Student 

Hometown: Oakville, Ontario

My name is Adham, and I am entering my second year of medical school. Before medical school, I completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences at Queen’s University.

Growing up, I was never that great at school. I spent my early childhood in Egypt before immigrating to Winnipeg, where my main passion was soccer. Adjusting to life in Canada was challenging as my English was poor, and with little support, I often struggled to follow along in class. I convinced myself that school wasn’t for me and devoted myself to soccer instead. That dream ended abruptly when I broke my tibia. It was in grade 11, thanks to my biology teacher, that I began to rediscover learning. For the first time, I felt the excitement of turning theoretical priniciples into something tangible and meaningful. By grade 12, my fascination with medicine had taken form: the idea of applying didactic knowledge to impact something as fundamental and natural as human life.

At Queen’s, I looked for opportunities that soldified this passion. Through my involvement with the Queen’s correctional services volunteer organization, I developed and delivered workshops to inmates on financial literacy, resume building, and healthy living. This experience was taught me how to engage with vulnerable populations and reinforced my desire to pursue medicine as a way to serve others.

Reflecting on my first year of medical school, there is much I wish I had known. The most important lesson is to approach everything with an open mind. I entered with preconceived notions of what medical school would be like, most of which proved overexaggerated or completey false. Allowing yourself to be shaped by the experience, rather than forcing expectations, makes the journey far more meaningful. On a similar note, the curriculum is designed to give you space to discover what works best for you. For example, during the Introduction to Medicine (ITM) course, take the opportunity to try different study strategies and don’t be afraid to experiment. However, byfar my most important piece of advice, is to be a kind person. I know its obvious, but taking the time check on your friends, lending a hand when you can, or even opening the doors for others when you are observing on the wards will take you and those around you so far.

Beyond school, I encourage you to take advantage of the wide range of clubs and societies at Temerty Medicine. Personally, I chose to become an O-Week leader because of the incredible experience during my O-Week as a result of the hard work of Team NITRO. I wanted to be apart of the team that replicated this experience for the next class. At first, I doubted myself, because I am usually a more quieter person. Now having completed it, I am so happy that I trusted my gut and I met 4 amazing co-leaders and friends that I otherwise would not have met. Explore all the opportunities that come by you so you don’t look back wishing you had taken that chance.

Athena Mancini, Y2 Medical Student

Hometown: Toronto, ON

My name is Athena and I am entering my second year of medical school in the Peters-Boyd Academy. Before starting medical school, I completed the Bachelor of Health Sciences Program at McMaster University and then worked at The Hospital for Sick Children as a Research Assistant in the Haematology/Oncology Department. 

I was so nervous the night before my first day of O-Week, I could barely sleep! If I could go back and give my worried self some advice, it would be to be kind to yourself as you embark on this new chapter. You are just starting out and do not need to have everything figured out! While the journey ahead will undoubtedly have ups and downs, this past year has been incredibly rewarding, exciting, and inspiring. The year ahead is a time to make meaningful connections with your classmates, who will soon become your lifelong friends and colleagues. Growing up, my mom always told me to “be a sponge!” - soak up as much of this experience as you can, as it will be over before you know it! Whether that means attending an interest group event, trying a new restaurant, or shadowing a specialty you never imagined you would enjoy, there are endless opportunities at UofT and Toronto for you to explore. 

In navigating the transition to medical school with multiple competing responsibilities, remember to prioritize your own health and wellbeing. I always try to remember the sentiment that you need to take care of yourself in order to take care of others. The habits that you build at this early point in your medical training will carry forward with you throughout all stages of life - as a clerkship student, a resident, and even one day, a staff physician. Growing up, playing volleyball was a huge part of my identity. Despite my busy schedule, I continue to be involved in the volleyball community as a club volleyball coach, which has been a huge outlet for me outside of medicine. While there are endless clubs and interest groups to join, remember to keep up with your hobbies outside of medicine too! The sheer number of opportunities available to you can often be overwhelming, so make sure to invest your time in activities that are truly meaningful to you. Yes, medical school can be challenging at times, but you will still have plenty of free time along the way to do the things you love and explore new hobbies and interests (especially since we get Wednesday’s off!). 

One of my most meaningful connections that I made during my first year of medical school was the bond I formed with my clinical skills (ICE) group. We were all incredibly nervous for our first patient interactions, and I was worried about making a fool of myself in front of my peers. With lots of support, guidance, and encouragement from our tutors, it was incredible to see the growth in our skills and confidence throughout the year! What started out as a group of students who barely knew each other quickly turned into a supportive and close-knit community. While stepping out of your comfort zone can be incredibly daunting, this experience was by far the most rewarding part of my first year and led me to meet some of my closest friends.

As I progress through my medical training, I am most excited to continue cultivating relationships and fostering connections with those around me. Whether from a patient, a friend, or a physician, there is truly always something to learn from everyone. I will continue to “be a sponge” and make the most of this journey!

Claire Del Zotto, Y2 Medical Student

Hometown: Vaughan, ON

My name is Claire, and I'm an incoming second-year medical student at the University of Toronto. Before coming to medical school, I studied Biology at York University! 

Unlike many peers, I never seriously considered going to medical school until university. I always loved science and aspired to be a science teacher, but eventually discovered that medicine would be a perfect way for me to combine my interests in both teaching and learning science. The personal connection and mentorship aspects of medicine also really resonated with me, and I've been so lucky to have doctors and mentors who have shown me how fostering therapeutic relationships is key in promoting wellness.   

Reflecting back on my first year, I definitely feel as though I've come a long way! At first, everything was scary to me. I remember being worried about how I would find my way around the city since I was living alone for the first time, whether I remembered a single thing from undergrad, and if I had what it takes to fully absorb the medical information coming my way so quickly. If I had one piece of advice for my first-week self, it would be that adopting a new mindset is key to success when trying to make such a big life transition. Instead of thinking I can't do something, I try to practice mindfullness by reflecting on similarly challenging things I've done before, and realizing that if I've made it this far, there's no reason why I can't push myself a little further!

I've learned to balance school and life by making the most of every new opportunity. I try to keep my priorities simple (learning as much as I can, spending quality time with family and friends, and trying new things), which makes navigating everything a bit easier. Despite the fact that we have so many amazing opportunities here at UofT, it's impossible to try everything and I highly recommend prioritizing giving new things a try. 

Some of my most meaningful experiences so far have been extracurriculars that allowed me to meet like-minded peers and engage with the broader community. Acting in the school musical and playing intramural sports were both ways that I was able to step out of my comfort zone, embrace the process of being a beginner, and meet supportive peers (now friends) in the process. I also had the opportunity to start a medical student gardening club with some of my classmates, and have had so much fun engaging with seniors in the community through gardening events. 

I look forward to staying connected with my community, and forming new relationships as I continue on my journey through medical school. I have met so many inspiring people in the Temerty Medicine community who have taught me so much in just one year, and I look forward to  learning and growing for years to come.