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The University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine |
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University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry |
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Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary |
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Dr. Calvin R. Stiller |
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Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences |
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Western University, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry |
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McMaster University |
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Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto |
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University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine |
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LEONAES BRAHEL TATCHINDA KUETE McGill University |
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Université de Montréal, Faculté de médecine |
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Université de Sherbrooke |
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Université Laval, Faculté de médecine |
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Dalhousie University, Faculty of Medicine |
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Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty of Medicine |
Originally from Bangladesh, Rahnuma earned her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with Distinction from the University of British Columbia (UBC). Before medical school, she was deeply engaged in community and clinical work, serving as Research Coordinator for General Surgery at Vancouver General Hospital, a Crisis Line call-taker, and working in Harm Reduction clinics in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Since starting at UBC, Rahnuma has demonstrated a strong commitment to advocacy and leadership. She served as VP Academic on her Class Council and as the National Officer of Education – Advocacy for the Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS). She is passionate about promoting equity in healthcare and medical education. Currently, she is VP Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for UBC’s Medical Undergraduate Society and a Student Representative on the Learner Advisory Committee for Simon Fraser University’s new School of Medicine, working to improve representation and equity in medical training.
In recognition of her leadership and character, she received the Gwynne-Vaughan Memorial Award in Medicine from UBC. Her research focuses on barriers to liver transplants in BC, infertility among Canadian anesthesiologists, and causes of recurrent pregnancy loss. Rahnuma aspires to continue using her voice to empower a more equitable healthcare and medical education system.
Inspired by 2019 Laureate Connie J. Eaves, PhD
Jesse Lafontaine is from Kelowna, British Columbia, and is currently a medical student at the University of Alberta. He completed a Master of Science (MSc) in Applied Digital Health and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. He also holds a Bachelor of Science Honours in Chemistry from the University of British Columbia.
Jesse has held several leadership roles, including serving as the founding Co-Chair of the Indigenous Medical Students’ Association of Canada and as President of the University of Alberta Medical Students’ Association. He is increasingly interested in the political determinants of health and the impact of policy and politics on health outcomes for individuals and populations across Canada.
To explore this interest further, he took a year-long leave from medical school to participate in the Parliamentary Internship Program in Ottawa, where he worked in the offices of Members of Parliament. In the future, he hopes to pursue a career that combines clinical medicine, digital health, health policy, and Indigenous health to drive meaningful change in the Canadian healthcare system.
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"I am very excited and extremely honoured to be recognized by the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame with this award! It is an honour to be recognized as a medical student leader from the University of Alberta and to be included among such an inspiring group of future healthcare leaders from across the country."
Inspired by 2022 Laureate Thomas A. Dignan, MD
Vaneeza Moosa is a medical student at the University of Calgary. She believes that individual success is incomplete without collective progress, which fuels her commitment to advocacy, mentorship, and systems-based change. She served as the Government Affairs and Advocacy Representative for her class, leading both provincial and municipal campaigns that highlighted how primary care access and housing are closely tied to health outcomes. These initiatives brought students into dialogue with policymakers and fostered cross-sector collaboration on systemic issues.
Vaneeza has served on several student associations, including the executive team of UpSurge Calgary, an initiative supporting underrepresented students pursuing surgical careers. Before entering medicine, she was involved in crisis response work and supported youth through tutoring and mentorship programs. Her research spans across multiple areas, with a particular focus on improving diagnostic pathways for conditions that disproportionately affect women, mindful of equity and patient-centered care.
Throughout her training, Vaneeza has remained committed to leadership that is collaborative, intentional, and grounded in service. Inspired by the legacy of the CMHF Laureate, Jeanne Mance, she hopes to carry forward a model of care that is both thoughtful and practical. Outside of medicine, she enjoys playing sports, hiking, exploring new cafes, and spending time with others.
Inspired by 2020 Laureate, Venerable Jeanne Mance
Abdullah Shafiq is a medical student at the University of Saskatchewan. His interest in clinical research began during his final year of undergraduate studies, and he now aims to integrate clinical research with patient care and promote health equity.
He is particularly interested in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among physician specialties to improve patient outcomes, as well as advancing equitable care through evidence-based research. His paper, "Mental Health and Heart Failure: Updating Guidelines to Improve Patient Outcomes," explores how psychiatric conditions can exacerbate heart failure symptoms and highlights the importance of treating coexisting conditions simultaneously. This work was recognized with the 2024 Best Paper Award for Medical Students from the Canadian Organization of Undergraduate Psychiatry Educators.
In addition to his research interests, Abdullah is actively involved in medical leadership. As Co-Chair of the Student Curriculum Review Committee, he has advocated for a more student-responsive medical curriculum. He also mentors first-year medical students and guides undergraduates through research projects, with some mentees achieving publication in peer-reviewed journals or presenting their work at international conferences.
In his free time, Abdullah enjoys playing sports, reading, traveling, and trying out new activities.
Inspired by 2007 Laureate, The Honourable Wilbert Keon, MD
Akhil Ramdoyal is a second-year medical student at the Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba. Originally from the island of Mauritius, he brings a global lens to medicine, shaped by lived experience, intersectionality, and a deep commitment to equity. His path into medicine was inspired by witnessing how gaps in access—especially in HIV prevention—can profoundly affect lives. That realization became the foundation of his advocacy.
At the Max Rady Faculty of Medicine, Akhil led a successful campaign through the Student Advocacy Committee for full provincial coverage of HIV prevention medications (PrEP/PEP). He also co-authored a national policy through the Canadian Federation of Medical Students. In 2025, he founded MedVotes, a pan-Canadian federal election campaign that reached over 8,900 students, advocating for mobile polling at hospitals and bilingual civic outreach.
Academically, Akhil has maintained top-tier performance while contributing to innovative HIV research through research spanning two summers. His work focuses on T-cell vaccine design targeting conserved epitopes in viral immunity, with two manuscripts currently underway.
Akhil is passionate about bridging community voice with systems-level change. He is deeply grateful to the mentors who have shaped his journey and aspires to lead at the intersection of clinical care and public policy.
Inspired by 2012 Laureate Armand Frappier, MD
Growing up on Manitoulin Island, ON, Matthew learned the value of community, innovation, and perseverance - principles that continue to guide him today.
He completed an HBSc in Biomedical Science at the University of Ottawa, where he conducted an honours thesis on spinal neural circuits following traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in Dr. Tuan Bui’s lab. Currently, he studies pediatric TSCI epidemiology under Dr. James Crispo at NOSM University.
Matthew has held previous research roles in the Neural Circuits for Movement Lab at University College London under Dr. Rob Brownstone and supported a pediatric concussion clinical trial at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) under Dr. Andrée-Anne Ledoux.
Currently, he is the President of the NOSM University Student Council, working to enhance the student experience, and is a longtime board member of the Manitoulin Island Cycling Advocates, helping to transform local active living infrastructure. As former Co-President of Learning for Charity at the University of Ottawa, he helped the organization raise tens of thousands of dollars for CHEO.
Matthew is deeply grateful to the mentors who have shaped his journey - from sports to the operating room, and everywhere in between.
Inspired by 1994 Laureate Wilder Penfield, MD
As a military officer and medical student, Benson has a strong interest in advancing trauma care and improving healthcare for injured service members. Before entering medical school, he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in health sciences. Currently, under the mentorship of military physicians, he is conducting research on the use of off-label medications for hemorrhage control and refining existing trauma treatment pathways. He has since presented his work at national research conferences, including the Trauma Association of Canada Conference.
In response to the growing need for military physicians, Benson also founded the Canadian Military Medical School Application Support (CMMSAS) group, which provides free mentorship and application support to veterans pursuing careers in medicine. Since its inception, he has helped over a dozen veterans successfully gain admission to medical school.
Beyond his academic and military commitments, Benson is an ultramarathon runner, having recently completed a 100-mile endurance race. He also enjoys weekly Bible studies with his classmates.
Driven by a passion for military medicine, Benson hopes to pursue a career in general surgery, dedicated to delivering the highest calibre of trauma care to members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
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"To be recognized with this award is not a reflection of my own academic acumen, but rather a reflection of the military physicians and service members who have generously invested their time, guidance, and mentorship in me. I stand on the shoulders of giants, specifically, the many laureates who have served our country in uniform. It is with deep pride that I carry forward the Canadian Armed Forces’ legacy of excellence in the field of medicine."
Inspired by 1994 Laureate Charles H. Best, MD DSc
Driven by health equity and system-level innovation, healthcare advocacy is a fundamental part of Donny’s life. As President of the McMaster Medical Student Council (MMSC), he sat on the UGME Executive Committee and spearheaded sustainable policies with council colleagues to improve student academics, autonomy, equity, and culture, such as establishing the VP Black Health role within MMSC and service partnerships connecting underrepresented youth with healthcare mentors to foster early career exploration and healthcare diversity. At the provincial level, Donny collaborated with the Ontario Medical Students’ Association to publish 16 policy recommendations enhancing Student Conduct standards across all Ontario medical schools. He now serves as Associate Director of Government Affairs for the Canadian Federation of Medical Students, advocating for national public health and infrastructure reforms at the federal level.
Academically, Donny leads research in cancer survivorship, examining the complex care needs of survivors following treatment. He has delivered over 30 presentations across hospitals, universities, and professional organizations both nationally and internationally, including Portugal, France, Japan, and South Africa, among numerous publications. His work is supported by over $25,000 in research funding, and he co-supervises undergraduate thesis students annually.
Donny aims to dedicate his career to addressing global health inequities through policy and governance, especially by leveraging AI to expand access, efficiency, and equity in care.
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"To be recognized among this cohort students, all of whom I regard as some of the most talented and passionate youth in Canada, is truly one of the greatest honours of my life."
Inspired by 2000 Laureate David Sackett, MD
Ragav Chona is driving the future of Canadian medicine at the intersection of education, equity, and system redesign. A Gold Medalist in Translational & Molecular Medicine from the University of Ottawa and recipient of the Alex Trebek Leadership Award, he began medical school at the University of Toronto with a record of turning ideas into tangible benefits.
Ragav serves as Ontario Regional Director for the Canadian Federation of Medical Students and VP External at his school, representing over 3,500 learners. He champions mental health access and leads culturally tailored public health campaigns to improve patient and learner experiences.
On campus, Ragav co-leads Queer, Trans & Allied in Medicine, founded Canada’s inaugural 2SLGBTQ+ pre-med mentorship program, and delivers safety workshops. He translates patient materials for hospitals, performs with his school’s live band to promote wellness, expanded a free online learning platform to over 100,000 high-school students, and led a Prime Minister-supported pandemic relief drive delivering 30,000 essential packages to Ottawa shelters.
With over $100,000 in neuroregeneration grants and an AI-powered virtual reality crisis simulation, Ragav’s work spans naloxone curricula, simulation, language concordant care, AI, HIV, and 2SLGBTQ+ health inequities, informing curricular reform and advocacy.
Blending compassionate practice with relentless innovation, Ragav strives to transform Canadian health care into a system defined by equity, excellence, and meaningful impact for all.
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"I am truly humbled to receive the CMHF Award. Since volunteering with the CMHF as an undergraduate, I have admired its Laureates and past award recipients, and to now be recognized alongside them is an incredible honour."
Inspired by 2018 Laureate Philip Berger, MD
Ervis Musa is a medical student at the University of Ottawa committed to advancing health equity, surgical research, and medical education reform. He is the founder of The MedLink Project, a national mentorship program connecting undergraduate students with medical student mentors. He also co-leads More Than Just Soup, a medical student-run outreach initiative that coordinates home visits to deliver food, assess broader social needs, and connect families with appropriate health services in local communities.
His research focuses on improving surgical outcomes and perioperative care, including work on anesthetic efficiency and enhancing access to and quality of burn care in Ontario. He also co-leads a national study on experiential learning across Canadian medical schools. Ervis further serves as the medical student representative for Community Service Learning at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine and contributes to the creation of a patient-oriented research onboarding toolkit through Passerelle.
He is drawn to a career in surgery where clinical skill, advocacy, and innovation can directly shape patient outcomes. Ervis has been recognized with the Ontario Medical Association Medical Student Achievement Award, the Sharon Johnston Youth Champion of Mental Health Award, and the UOSU Contributions to Food Security Scholarship.
Inspired by 2023 Laureate Carol P. Herbert, MD
LEONAES BRAHEL TATCHINDA KUETE
Leonaes Brahel Tatchinda Kuete is a medical student at McGill University with a passion for health equity, community engagement, and mentorship. Before medical school, he completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Occupational Therapy at McGill, where he developed a deep interest in working closely with patients and supporting their healing processes.
Leonaes has been actively involved in student leadership and community initiatives. He has served in various roles with the Black Medical Students’ Association (BMSA) and the Black Medical Students’ Association of Canada (BMSAC), organizing mentorship programs, academic support events, and national conferences to promote representation and support Black learners in medicine. As Director of Finance for BMSAC, he oversees financial planning, secures funding, and leads projects providing scholarships, mentorship, and resources for Black medical students across Canada.
He is also engaged with the Association of Cameroonian Physicians of Canada (AMCC), organizing workshops, networking events, and outreach activities to promote health education and support students from immigrant backgrounds. Additionally, Leonaes co-founded “Tuto Succès,” a tutoring and mentorship platform that has helped over 50 students in two years.
His research interests include cardiology and oncology, with projects exploring arrhythmia management, catheter ablation, and immune-related adverse events. Outside academics, he mentors, volunteers, and strives to serve underserved communities, viewing medicine as a tool for healing and social impact.
Inspired by 2014 Laureate Salim Yusuf, MBBS DPhil
Inspired by Terry Fox’s legacy, Marie has made it her mission to use physical activity as a lever for change in health.
Convinced of the benefits of sports on physical and mental health, she co-founded ParkinCourse, an annual sporting event aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness about Parkinson’s disease.
Marie conducted the first study of the impact of physical exercise on people with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Supported by the Terry Fox Foundation, the national expansion of her project earned her an invitation to be a speaker for the Marathon of Hope Network. She has presented her findings at local and international conferences, and she has won several awards, including the top prize awarded to a resident by the AMHOQ. She has also received a bursary from the FRQS for her project evaluating the effects of exercise on cognition in diabetic patients.
Marie is a passionate runner and has completed four marathons, including the Boston Marathon. She serves as a director at the FMEQ and has been a volunteer at a hospice for nearly ten years. She is fluent in German and is currently learning Arabic. She recently received a commitment scholarship from the AEEMUM and a student involvement scholarship from the FAÉCUM.
Inspired by 2012 Laureate Terry Fox
Ever since entering medical school, Joël has pursued research aimed at improving the quality of life for patients with respiratory disease. His projects include innovative work on neuromodulation to alleviate dyspnea, which led him to earn a master’s degree in physiology under the co-supervision of Dr. Simon Couillard and Dr. Christian Iorio-Morin. His research trajectory has been recognized with the André Cantin Scholarship in Respiratory Health from the Sherbrooke Faculty of Medicine.
Joël is also engaged in multiple initiatives that reflect his dedication to medical education, public health, and community leadership. He contributes to a student-led initiative raising awareness about transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), a key issue in stroke prevention. He has been actively involved in the educational curriculum, serving as Vice-President of Academic Affairs for the Association générale étudiante en médecine de l’Université de Sherbrooke (AGÉMUS). He contributed to organizing the FMSS Fashion Show, a fundraiser for ARIMAGE-Estrie, promoting body diversity and acceptance. He co-leads several large student committees focused on enhancing medical pedagogy and social life on campus.
Joël’s diverse projects reflect his long-term vision of becoming a clinician-scientist, anchored in clinical and academic dedication, and driven by an authentic commitment to research, education, advocacy, leadership, and community engagement.
Inspired by 1998 Laureate Gustave Gingras, MD
Marked early in life by the age-related neurodegeneration that affected her grandmother, Marjorie first enrolled in a certificate program in gerontology before entering medical school at Laval University.
Motivated by her own experience and having been an observer of her mother’s commitment as a caregiver, she has invested her time in research focused on optimizing transitions in care for seniors living with neurodegenerative diseases. At the CONSTELLATIONS Living Lab, she co-created, partnering with a caregiver and a multidisciplinary team, a resource in the form of a logbook called “Mon journal de bord,” designed to help people recently diagnosed with memory disorders and their loved ones organize and record important information and navigate the healthcare system more easily.
Throughout her preclinical studies, Marjorie has demonstrated exemplary leadership and exerted a positive influence in her community. Notably, she has made a tangible difference by establishing a chapter of RÉMUL – Laval University’s medical students’ association, on the new campus in Lévis. As president of RÉMUL-Lévis for two terms, and with over 700 hours of service commitment, Marjorie has effectively represented her peers and advocated for their interests to local and provincial authorities.
Inspired by 2001 Laureate Lucille Teasdale-Corti, MD
Jeremiah is an incoming third-year medical student at Dalhousie University with a passion for technology, education, and advocacy. Inspired by his personal experiences navigating healthcare challenges within his family, he is committed to advancing equity in both healthcare and education.
He co-founded Vision For Life, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing poverty and supporting marginalized communities. Vision for Life has led small but impactful projects, including local outreach programs that provide necessities to individuals and online educational campaigns. One of these initiatives, a community sock drive organized in collaboration with Singh Beans, a local coffee shop, gathered almost 1,400 pairs of socks for shelters in British Columbia over the course of three years.
Jeremiah is also working on ways to make education and healthcare more accessible through technology. He co-founded Clarify Student Resources, an education technology startup that uses machine learning to offer tailored academic support. Jeremiah also started the HealthTech Innovation in Medicine group at Dalhousie to create opportunities for students to learn about the applications of technology in healthcare through hands-on workshops.
Jeremiah aims to continue building initiatives that marry innovation with advocacy to create a lasting impact in both healthcare and education.
Inspired by 2012 Laureate John Dirks, MD
Reem is deeply committed to social advocacy and its intersection with healthcare. As a former member of the World Vision Canada Youth Council, she organized and chaired panels with the Refugee Education Council and youth leaders worldwide on global citizenship, education in fragile contexts, and refugee education. She also contributed to strengthening youth activism through the development of civic engagement workshops for young Canadians. Her advocacy extended internationally when she became involved with the SDG4 Youth & Student Network, a youth advisory body to UNESCO. In this capacity, she continued to champion equitable, accessible, and financed education.
As a medical student, Reem bridged her advocacy to the clinical setting through her involvement with Gateway, a platform designed to increase pre-clerical students’ exposure to refugee healthcare.
Most recently, she co-led a team of motivated medical and pharmacy students in an initiative advocating for expanded interpretation services in pharmacies, ultimately presenting their proposal to Members of the House of Assembly.
Inspired by the legacy of Dr. Bette Stephenson and her work at the intersection of health and policy, Reem remains dedicated to addressing social determinants of health through advocacy.
Inspired by 2013 Laureate Bette Stephenson, MD
About the CMHF
The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) celebrates Canadian heroes whose work advances health in Canada and the world, fostering future generations of health professionals through the delivery of local and national youth education programs and awards.
This enduring tribute to our country’s rich medical history is showcased here and in our physical exhibit hall in London, ON
