OMSA Student of the Month of November 2015 - Amanda Sauvé

  • Posted on: 8 December 2015
  • By: OMSA Admin

Meet Amanda Sauvé (Western University), our student of the month for November 2015!

Amanda is an incredible leader and advocate for Indigenous rights and cultural awareness in our community at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Amanda is the local Officer of Indigenous Health for Schulich’s Office of Global Health, as well as an executive of the school’s Aboriginal Health Advocacy Group. During September’s CFMS conference in Windsor, she presented a policy paper titled “Indigenous Peoples and Health in Canadian Medical Education” alongside the team of medical students with whom she co-authored this work. At this conference, Amanda also facilitated “Stand Up For Health”, a simulation designed to enhance medical students’ awareness of social determinants of health and their impact on ­­­­access to care. The program, initiated at the University of Toronto, is now part of the Schulich year one curriculum, as a direct result of Amanda’s efforts.

Amanda is also very passionate about mental health awareness. Last year, she spearheaded a focus group for students to share their experiences with mental health, followed by a larger event in which she and other courageous students from Schulich spoke about their experience. Amanda is an extremely empathic and non-judgmental individual, and she sets a great example for her peers in emphasizing that we should not be ashamed of our mental health experiences; rather, we should provide support for one another.

Amanda is not only a leader in formal roles, but also informally within the pre-clerkship community at Schulich.  She is constantly looking out for students who seem to be losing touch with the community or showing signs for concern. Given Amanda’s friendly and earnest demeanour, she is able to approach these students and chat with them over coffee to check in on how they are faring. Amanda is always willing to help others in any way possible.

In short, Amanda is a medical student who genuinely cares for others, is already an exceptional leader and advocate in our community, and will undoubtedly be an exemplary physician.