I moved to Buffalo last summer from Alberta, Canada, to begin medical residency at the University at Buffalo in the MedPeds program (Internal Medicine and Pediatrics).
Like most residents and fellows at UB, I fully understand that my position includes extremely long work hours, missed holidays and little time for my family. I have always been prepared for that sacrifice in order to become a great physician and give the best possible care to the Buffalo community.
What I was not prepared for, however, was to become gravely ill and not get support from UB. Shortly after I started my residency program, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. And overnight, my focus shifted from becoming a great physician to simply surviving.