MMSC President - Candidates​

Alexander Toulany

Tells us about yourself:

Hey everyone!

My name’s Alex and I’m running for President and VP Finance.
Reflecting on some of my past experiences in student governance made me realize how much I loved my time in those roles and realize that I remain passionate about pursuing them. It would be my privilege to represent your needs and help enact meaningful and positive change during our time at Mac!

* Student Government Experience *
4th Year VP (4th yr UG), Queen’s Engineering Society
President (3rd yr UG), Music and Sound Manager (2nd yr UG), First Year Rep (1st yr UG), Queen’s Swing Dance Club
Student Rep (Final yr HS), School Advisory Council

Outside of class, ask me about my favourite music, movies, or video games! If I’m not catching up with friends, nowadays you’ll find me binging “Whose Line is it Anyway” or reading through A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones.
Cheers,
Alex

What is your Platform?

My “PBL” Platform:

* Paying attention to you *
It’s listed first for a reason. If I’m to represent your needs and advocate on your behalf to the administration, I need to hear you out. I felt I was able to do just that during my time as a Residence Don.

* Bringing the class together *
I think a lot of us are concerned about how COVID continues to shape our (relatively short) med school experience. I’m committed to exploring ways we can develop a sense of camaraderie, find our class identity, and continue our career exploration safely.

* LOCs *
I may sound like an independent senator from Vermont but I want to help take on the big banks so we can get our Prime – 0.5% line of credit interest rate to help alleviate the debt burden on us. I won’t let our ideas and excitement fade away.

Faran Khalid

Tell us about yourself:

Hello c2023!
My name is Faran Khalid and this year I have the immense honor and privilege to be running for the positions of MMSC President and VP Student Affairs. I completed my undergraduate degree this year at Western University. In my free time I enjoy cooking, running, zoom calls and online (window) shopping. With a long and diverse background in student politics and advocacy, I hope to continue working towards the solution for student issues. I have a specific passion for minority issues and representation.

As an MMSC executive, I want the McMaster medical program to feel like a home and family for everyone, where students are provided with a robust support system and the tools to voice their concerns and issues, and work towards our shared goals.

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, feel free to reach out at faran.khalid@medportal.ca.

What is your Platform?

​With an online learning environment, the c2023 has faced unprecedented challenges that has created a lot of uncertainty and anxiety regarding our future. Unfortunately, many of the decisions regarding our education to date have been made for us without our proper involvement and consultation in the decision-making process itself. We have concerns about our educational experience that are not being adequately addressed.​ A major focus of my presidency will be to tackle these issues and to ensure that administrative decisions are reached based on mutual agreement between leadership and students. Starting with providing virtual methods of exposure to specialties (instead of observerships), I aim to work with faculty in providing proper alternatives to currently cancelled learning experiences. In addition, continuing work on important advocacy fronts including addressing CaRMS match concerns, advocating for lower LOC rates, mental health access, physician planning and healthy equity will be an important priority for me.

Bradley Murphy

Tell us about yourself:

I’m Brad, the sassiest export Ottawa has to offer and cannot be more excited to start this journey with all of you. I completed my BSc at uOttawa and then my PharmD at uWaterloo. We have been hearing a lot recently to keep an open mind, and that’s exactly how I try to live my life. Medicine is not something I ever thought I would pursue, but by keeping an open mind throughout all my experiences, it made me fall in love with this profession and the opportunities it has to offer. I’m definitely a foodie, absolutely love exploring new restaurants. In the winter, you will absolutely see me on the slopes. On an average day, I will likely be curled up with a book or re-watching Schitt’s Creek for the millionth time. I am super approachable and love to meet and chat with new people. Looking forward to meeting you all once things start to return to normal.

What is your Platform? 

In life, there are critical moments that set you on a path that shapes the very person you want to become. During my pharmacy career, I had the privilege of working in palliative care, assisting patients in the hardest moments of their lives. The palliative team promoted a sense of community and belonging for patients that I envisioned myself doing for the rest of my life. I wanted to be more involved in their care, too have difficult discussions with families, and most importantly, to ensure they would leave this world with the dignity we all deserve. Now more than ever, it is important to promote a sense of belonging and community amongst our friends, family and our new found colleagues. In these uncertain times, it can be easy to lose track of this, but as president, I hope to utilize my life experiences reflectively to promote meaningful engagement and form strong connections within the healthcare community.

Rishi Bansal

Tell us about yourself:

Hi everyone, I’m Rishi and I’m excited to be running for MMSC President! I hope to meet you all properly in-person, but here’s a little about me to start. I love cooking, coffee, and getting 11 chicken nuggets after ordering 10; I’m an amateur squash player but if anyone asks I can TOTALLY beat my housemates; I love latin music and my favorite piece of IKEA furniture is the HEKTAR lamp.

I’m also no stranger to leadership and advocacy. This summer, I co-founded three organizations to tackle COVID-19: Faces of COVID, an initiative that shares stories of essential workers; Frontline Connect, a not-for-profit that keeps patients and families connected virtually; and #GetMePPE Ontario, a fundraiser that delivered $6000 of PPE. Prior to that, I ran a startup accelerator program and worked on health innovation consulting projects at McMaster. I hope to channel these experiences into service and action as president!

What is your Platform? 

My Approach:
1. Maintain consistent, open lines of communication between the MMSC and the class (e.g. surveys, town halls), to identify gaps and opportunities for support
2. Advocate our class’ concerns to admin and seek out appropriate experts (e.g. equity-seeking IGs) to inform decision-making
3. Empower teammates and peers to lead initiatives and tackle issues important to them
4. Relay information back to the class and keep everyone on the same page
5. Keep the big picture in mind and work to bring about sustainable and equitable changes

Key Priorities:
1. Encourage social activities by (1) having MMSC-organized events and (2) providing resources (e.g. master document of online activities) to facilitate organic hangouts
2. Push for expeditious access to horizontals and further develop alternate avenues for career exploration with Student Affairs
3. Advocate for a safe return to campus to take maximum advantage of in-person learning and social events while remaining cognizant of COVID-19 guidelines

Jim Xie

Tell us about yourself:

Hello! My name is Jim and I am super excited to be starting my medical journey at McMaster :) I hope to meet all of you once in-person activities resume, but until then, here are some facts about me!

Pronouns: he/him/his
Schooling: fortunate to have also done undergrad at McMaster. Hamilton’s hiking and food scenes are incredible!
Favourite food: spicy hot pot! Or anything spicy, really
One thing that always makes me happy: hugs from my girlfriend
Most adventurous thing I’ve ever done: climbed to the peak of the mountain Huangshan at night, during a power outage, while wrestling with a slight fever…also my proudest accomplishment!
Next item on my bucket list: hiking the Inca Trail to see Machu Picchu - has always been a dream of mine
If I weren’t in medicine, I would: become an origami artist and theorist. Robert J. Lang is my icon!

What is your Platform? 

My goal as President is to create the best possible student experience by incorporating the voices of the student body to enact meaningful change. Specifically, I aim to:

1) Empower students to navigate the rapidly changing health care landscape.
• Liaise with program leadership to integrate education on working with vulnerable populations into the UGME curriculum, including anti-oppressive practice
• Invite guest lecturers to speak on how students and physicians can advocate for vulnerable populations

2) Diversify early exposure to career pathways in medicine.
• Organize live panels with residents, residency directors, and physicians from non-traditional career routes.
• Fast-track the development of the upcoming resident-student mentorship program so that C2023 students are matched ASAP.

3) Promote student engagement in the activities of the MMSC.
• Share monthly highlights of MMSC activities, including important decisions and goal-tracking
• Implement monthly town halls as a direct opportunity for students to give feedback and ask questions to the MMSC