Fatima Boulmalf: From Vanier to practicing family medicine

“It was a challenge. The demands were high, there was a lot of stress, telemedicine came into being for the first time, so we had to learn how to use that, but above all, the wards and hospitals were full and there was a shortage of nurses, doctors and beds.”  

“Training to be a doctor can be rough and there are days you need to remind yourself of why you are doing this.  But that’s where the passion comes in. As a doctor you’re often with people at the worst time of their lives or at the end of their lives when they are dying and you must tell them so.  A paycheck can’t be the reason you do this.  Money is not enough.  You must want to see people get better. All of this confronts you with your own beliefs, your values and your own life.” 

What branch of Medicine do you now work in? 

“I do family medicine. I replace regular doctors temporarily in rural areas of the province and work in a clinic and a hospital in Greater Montreal where I am responsible for a ward. I work with children, women and the elderly. They all have different needs and every day is a learning day. There is no way to see everything in our training but that’s part of why we choose Medicine.  It’s life-long learning and it’s incredibly humbling.” 

What makes a good doctor? 

“As a doctor you discuss a lot with patients so you need to relate to other people and other cultures.  I was born in Canada but I’ve also lived in the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. Every change of country meant I had to make new friends and acclimate to a new culture. Those experiences have helped me understand the sense of social isolation some of my patients feel because they are new to Canada.  As well, many of them have gone through traumatic events that may also affect their health. So, practicing medicine demands a lot of empathy.  You offer medical expertise, but also guidance and companionship for the journey your patients are on.  The healer listens and makes the patient feel seen and heard.”  

How did Vanier prepare you for such a demanding path? 

“I spent two lovely years at Vanier and going to Vanier was one of the best decisions of my life. I met people, I had experiences, and it was a supportive place that helped me find my path and discover new things. Vanier was so encouraging in terms of academics, as well as extra-curricular activities.  Vanier wants you to stay well-rounded and I was encouraged to do my own thing.  Students go through a lot of hardships and they need to be encouraged to pursue it all.  Vanier does that.” 

How should young people prepare to go into medicine? 

“Obviously, you have to excel academically, but just as important, you have to try to be a well-rounded and balanced individual. Being a doctor means being supportive of others, but to do that you need to understand yourself and know who you are.  Sometimes you must challenge your own ideas and what you grew up with.” 

“There are also different ways to go into Medicine and one way is not better than another.  It depends on the person.  I went straight from Cegep to Medical School but I have friends from Vanier who took a different path; they got other degrees before studying Medicine.  Quebec is the only place where you can go to Medical School straight out of Cegep. In other provinces and other countries, people must do a Bachelor’s or even a Master’s degree before they study Medicine.”  

“Making comparisons between yourself and others can put you off track. Students come from all sorts of backgrounds and have different opportunities. Some may take more time to get on track for their academics, or they may have family problems or other stressors that can impact their performance.  It’s important to follow your own path.” 

Do you have advice for high school students choosing a CEGEP or a program?  

“Explore! You often don’t know all the things that make you happy, or the things that make your soul sing.  You don’t know what you are passionate about or what you want to do.  When you’re making a choice about what to study or what to do in life, think about the impact you want to have.  Think about the kind of life you want to have.  Ask yourself how do I want to feel in my life?  What job will give me that, or what passion?  It’s not just about the job itself, or the work you will do, it’s about the kind of life you will have.” 

Any dreams for the future?

“I’ve always had a strong belief in social justice and human rights. In the future I’d like to work with Doctors Without Borders or the Red Cross Relief Mission to help out in crisis situations as they arise.  I have an insatiable fascination with the art of giving back and this would allow me to have my regular medical practice but also to periodically do international relief work.”