Youshaa El-Abed

Youshaa as a medical student

Pronouns: He/Him

• What kind of identities do you inhabit?

  I am a first-generation Lebanese-Canadian third-year medical student.

• The path to medicine is not easy. Can you tell us why you decided to pursue it?

  I was born and raised in Canada and unknowingly took a lot for granted. Only when I visited the village where my parents immigrated from did I see the living conditions that some people live through. While there, turmoil broke out, and I realized the importance of having physicians around to save lives. I came back to Canada with a newfound appreciation for life and, more specifically, health. I dedicated myself to being the best version of myself and pursuing a life as a physician to help others maintain what I now value the most: good health.

• Can you describe a challenging moment in medicine that made you rethink your career path?

  The biggest challenge during my medical school journey was, for sure, the very start of my first year. Despite trying to mentally prepare for the fast pace and the number of assessments that the medical school curriculum consists of, I still felt it was impossible to keep up with everything. However, with guidance from mentors, reflecting on study habits, and fine-tuning my game plan, medical school didn't seem so impossible anymore.

• How do you see a career in PM&R as advancing equity? Or alternatively - why are you interested in this organization? Why equity and PM&R?

  I'm interested in Representation in Rehab because of the emphasis on driving equity forward. Every project brought forward is, in some way, advocating for the underserved. The organization embodies so much of what I believe PM&R truly is about. I'm a big advocate for those who need a voice, and I hope to continue to advocate as an attending one day.

• Can you tell us a little bit of your aspirations - either for your career or for the field of medicine (if you’re a medical student?)

  One component of physiatry I love is that it is a collaborative field, and I genuinely enjoy working with others. I hope to be part of a healthcare team working alongside other professionals to provide the best and most comprehensive to my future patients!

• Find me on social media

  Twitter: @youshaaelabed

Last updated 8/2023