National Physicians’ Day is celebrated on May 1st. The date was chosen by the Canadian Medical Association in recognition of Dr. Emily Stowe, the first female physician to practice in Canada.

I always knew I wanted to become a physician from a very young age. When I was five years old, I lost my father to a motor vehicle collision, caused by no fault of his own. He tragically lost his life because of an intoxicated/drunk driver. My father bled to death on the rural side of a road in Alexandria, Egypt. It was the lack of road safety and the scarcity of medical care available on travel routes in Egypt, combined with insufficient medical attention he received at the time of the incident, that resulted in his death.

My father’s passing dramatically altered my life. It was the catalyst that drove me to pursue medicine. I experienced firsthand the devastation that would result from a single moment of negligence. My mother was widowed, and I was left fatherless. My family relocated to Canada shortly after the incident. Growing up, I witnessed the challenges my mother faced as an immigrant who relocated to Canada with my sisters and me. This only gave me a strong sense of purpose, driving me to become the person I am today, dedicating my life to healing and preventing similar tragedies.

The memory of my father fueled me to embark on a path of medical education and training. I wanted to make a difference, and I was and am still very determined to use the knowledge I obtained as a clinician to serve others, relentlessly advocating to raise awareness, and educating about the dangers and consequences of substance/alcohol dependence, and its devastating effects on one’s health and society as a whole.

One of the main reasons I chose to pursue my practice medicine in Northern Manitoba is that I wanted to give back to my community. I lived in Manitoba for five years prior to becoming licensed as a physician. I wanted the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of underserved communities, particularly those with limited access to healthcare. I want to provide care for those who need it most and create a real change in their quality of lives.

Working with the NHRA has been so gratifying, yet challenging. There are many complex cases, and I believe there is still so much work for me to do as a physician. One of the challenges I face working in Northern Manitoba is that I am living away from close family members who reside in different provinces. However, the medical team at the Pas has been exceptionally welcoming and supportive. They made me feel as part of their family. Knowing that I am making a difference in my patients’ lives allows me to embrace the challenges and reap the rewards of working in a remote setting.

Dr. Awad is a General Practitioner who provides care at the Beatrice Wilson Health Centre on Opaskwayak First Nation.