Council & Committee Members

Debbie Brace, McMaster University: chair@omsa.ca

The Chair of OMSA is the elected chief officer and is responsible for working with the Co-Chair to provide strategic direction for organization, support all Directors and VP Externals in their work to develop & implement existing and new programs to serve Ontario’s medical students, and listen, respond to, and represent the interests of Ontario's medical students as a spokesperson for OMSA. If you have an idea, a question, comment, or a concern of any nature that you would like to bring to OMSA’s attention, the Chair would love to hear from you!

Sharon Yeung, Queen's University: co-chair@omsa.ca

The Co-Chair of OMSA is responsible for working with the Chair to provide strategic direction for the organization, support all Directors and VP Externals in their work to develop & implement existing and new programs to serve Ontario’s medical students, and listen, respond to, and represent the interests of Ontario's medical students as a spokesperson for OMSA. If you have an idea, a question, comment, or a concern of any nature that you would like to bring to OMSA’s attention, the Co-Chair would love to hear from you!

Safia Ladha, Queen's University: services@omsa.ca

The Director of Services works within OMSA to benefit medical students across the province on various different levels. The most well known portfolio is wellness. With the help of the Wellness Committee, the wellness retreat is organized to remind us as future physicians to take a break from the busyness of our professional lives. The Director of Services also helps organize equipment sales for your clinical skills. Lastly, the Director of Services also works closely with OMA Advantages to get discounts for medical student needs.

Austin Yan, University of Ottawa: representation@omsa.ca

The Director of Representation leads OMSA's efforts to advocate for changes in education, health policy and care delivery that will benefit both Ontario medical students and the people we serve. This portfolio represents medical student perspective on educational, political, and social issues through determining and promoting key issues of concern for lobbying the Ontario government, and empowering medical students in grassroots advocacy initiatives. 

Victoria McKinnon, McMaster University: education@omsa.ca

The Director of Education takes responsibility for encouraging and supporting the voice of Ontario’s medical students in the continual improvement of the medical education system. The Director of Education facilitates the work of the OMSA Education Committee and represents medical students to provincial educational organizations such as the Council of Ontario Faculties of Medicine and the CPSO. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Director of Education regarding position statements, exciting innovations, or questions about education.

Samveg Shah, McMaster University: communications@omsa.ca

The Director of Communication is responsible for engaging all Ontario medical students by promoting and making accessible the organization's advocacy, events, and services. This includes managing the website, sending regular e-mails out to all students, social media, and coordination of orientation and first-year presentations. The Director of Communications (along with the chairs) liaises with the OMA, channels communication with other external bodies, and coordinates the dissemination of press releases for the organization.

Rae Woodhouse, Queen's University: information_officer@omsa.ca

The Director of Finance and Internal Affairs (also referred to as the Information Officer and Treasurer) oversees council duties and liaises closely with the Chairs. The primary responsibilities focus on finance and accounting, governance, internal operations, and chairing the OMSA executive council meetings.