VP External - Candidates​

Colin Whaley

Tell us about yourself: 

Hi, I’m Colin! I did my bachelors and masters at the University of Waterloo, and I’m beyond excited to be a part of the MacMed Class of 2023! I describe my approach to life as “generally stoked,” and I’m experienced in making things that last while creating opportunities for others to learn and grow. In undergrad, I founded a club helping older adults use technology, which runs to this day because of the amazing people I’ve worked with to create sustainable change.

Making sure others are heard and represented is how I approach my every day, from research to advocacy to friendships. COVID can make this a challenge, but I believe fostering meaningful connections with each other and clear communication with those who guide us will help us become the amazing doctors we’re destined to be.

What is your Platform?

As our world rapidly changes in response to the pandemic, having experienced, thoughtful representation to our community has never been more important. My 8+ years representing others have shown me how to tactfully navigate these sometimes-tense meetings, while doing my best to keep a smile on everyone’s face.

One of the biggest challenges we as a class face is determining our own needs as the pandemic progresses. Even more exhausting can be the steady stream of prompts to fill out surveys and forms to feel heard. My goal as VP External would be to keep my ear to the ground to proactively present the issues facing our class to you for feedback, while keeping our partner organizations on the same page. Finally, I’ll tell you what you need to know to stay informed about the external issues facing us, with the details a quick message away!

Devon Wilton

Tell us about yourself:

Hi! My name’s Devon, and I’m excited to introduce myself to the class as a candidate for VP External. I grew up in Mississauga as a settler on Treaty 14 territory before moving to Toronto for my undergrad. I studied physiology and social sciences at UofT before coming to Mac Med. At UofT I was involved in student government throughout my degree, working with UofT’s student union and as VP External of my college’s student council. In these roles I led advocacy campaigns to rename buildings on campus named for proponents of the residential school system, to create more accessible gender-neutral washrooms, and to implement a free menstrual product program. I also coordinated campaigns in response to the Ford government’s Student Choice Initiative and the lack of administrative action on student mental health. I hope to continue advocating for my community as our MMSC’s VP External.

What is your Platform? 

​Now more than ever, it’s important that we have strong advocates for our community in local, provincial and national arenas. As VP External I hope to be that voice for med students and the communities we serve. I would be a voice for Mac Med students as the pandemic continues to develop, advocating for equal educational opportunities for our students as well as the public health measures necessary to keep students and patients safe. I would work to ensure that the anti-racism efforts that have begun in earnest this summer continue into the future, until the meaningful changes called for by BIPOC leaders in our community are realized. My experiences in advocacy and student government have prepared me to do this work with passion, diligence and care. I hope you’ll consider lending me your vote and giving me an opportunity to pursue this work with the MMSC!

Max Jiang

Tell us about yourself:

Hi there! I’m Max, thanks for checking me out! Having spent my formative years in Beijing, I was proud to be able to call Canada home at the age of 15 – a culturally-transcending experience that deepened my fascination of the diverse ideologies and institutions that have shaped human societies. I am grateful for the opportunities during undergrad to be involved with student government and policy-setting, including serving three consecutive years as a representative on the Science Student Council and being the Chair the Policy Committee on the Scholars Student Association. During my tenures, I was on a select committee that oversaw $300K student donations, and led the production of a 30-page policy report that was widely circulated among the Associate Deans. In the past summer, I was involved in the facilitation of a trans-Atlantic dialogue attended by high-level NATO and government officials regarding post-COVID European security and economic situations.

What is your Platform? 

​• To Engage with the MP in our constituency (who happens to be the Federal Minister of Labour) Filomena Tassi and advocate for a robust labour analysis of Ontario’s chronically understaffed long-term care homes, which has shockingly underperformed during this pandemic;
• To collaborate with the OMSA’s and CFMS’s government desk to pursue longitudinal lobbying on lifting physician practice location restrictions and to advocate for unmatched medical students;
• To work with peer institutions to call on the government and regulatory authorities to recognize the ever-changing challenges posed by COVID19 on medical students, and adjust the assessment, licensing and matching processes when appropriate;
• To further highlight the effect of economic disparity on the access and outcome of healthcare, and work with the City of Hamilton to devise collaborative infrastructure to allow MacMed’s contribution to the municipality’s heath amidst COVID19

Mehar Sasan

Tell us about yourself:

Hello fellow marauders! It's a pleasure to e-meet you. If you were to meet me under normal circumstances on campus, you'd see me walk into class late because I value coffee over punctuality. (Just kidding! Unless…?) Anyways, what I won’t EVER compromise on is communication. In undergrad, I always took on communication-heavy roles, often as the primary liaison between university clubs and external organizations. What you won’t see on my resume though is that I’m the friend that people come to for support in challenging situations, and I am proud to say that these experiences have helped me understand how to navigate complex and sometimes sensitive situations, and ultimately strengthened my communication and advocacy. I’m hoping to promote myself from uncertified therapist friend to your VP External because I think I am naturally inclined to being an advocate and communicator, and I could do a great job connecting and representing the Bumblebees of 2023!

What is your Platform?

First and foremost, a VP External needs to be approachable to accurately represent their student body. I maximize my approachability by being an open book to others, which then invites others to also be open. So let’s talk about the weather, mental health, aliens, imposter syndrome, and anything in between. Secondly, I think a VP External has to be a clear yet socially aware communicator. If I see someone being shy on a group call, I’ll send a quick private message, or I’ll casually introduce a game to get everyone more involved. Personalizing and contextualizing the approach to communication is key to making sure everyone is comfortable and the communication is effective. Lastly, willingness to learn is a valuable trait in every role of life, and especially important when representing a diverse group of such bright and passionate individuals. As your potential VP External, feedback from YOU would be the cornerstone of my platform.​