Stephanie Quon is a medical student at the University of British Columbia committed to advancing accessibility, health equity, and systems-level change.
In 2024, Stephanie founded the Canadian Network for Accessibility in Healthcare (CAN-ACCESS), which has since secured over $4.2 million in competitive funding to support 120 accessibility projects across healthcare and social-service settings throughout Canada, including automatic doors, ramps, braille signage, and sensory-friendly clinical spaces.
She has also developed national accessibility education programs and healthcare resources for patients and trainees. Internationally, as a Project Lead with the World Health Organization Global Health Workforce Network Youth Hub, she led the development of a disability-inclusion toolkit to inform healthcare workforce planning and training.
At UBC, Stephanie serves as Co-Chair of the UBC Women’s Health Initiative, Co-President of the UBC Refugee Health Initiative, and President of the UBC Correctional Health Initiative. Nationally, Stephanie serves as the medical student member of the Canadian Medical Association Board of Directors. She is also an active researcher who has authored or co-authored 52 peer-reviewed publications and delivered 84 conference presentations. Her work has been recognized through honours including the Canadian Medical Association Award for Young Leaders and the UBC Gwynne-Vaughan Memorial Award in Medicine.
Inspired by 2023 Laureate Carol P. Herbert, MD
Soraiya Lalani is a medical student at the University of Alberta and is passionate about advancing healthcare through leadership, research, and systems improvement. Soraiya’s commitment to medicine began through her work as a first responder during high school and university, where she developed an appreciation for teamwork, service, and caring for people in crisis.
Before entering medical school, Soraiya completed a Master of Public Health in Healthcare Management at Boston University and worked in healthcare administration roles at BC Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital. In these roles, she collaborated with clinicians and executive leaders to improve patient access, hospital operations, and care delivery. At the University of Alberta, Soraiya served as President of the Medical Students' Association. In this role, she represented 700 medical students while advocating for student leadership, collaboration, and mentorship. Soraiya’s research has been presented nationally, focusing on quality improvement, professionalism, and medical education.
Soraiya received the Best Clinical Quality Improvement Oral Presentation Award for her research on improving care coordination across Alberta's healthcare system. Inspired by physician leaders who improve healthcare both at the bedside and beyond, Soraiya is building a career dedicated to strengthening healthcare systems and improving the experiences of patients, learners, and healthcare teams.
Inspired by 2018 Laureate Emily Stowe, MD
Jake Thorsteinson is a medical student at the University of Calgary committed to improving health policy, enhancing medical education, and advocating for his future patients.
As the medical student representative on the Board of Directors of the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), Jake served as the only non-physician board member, bringing learner perspectives to discussions on the future of Alberta’s health-care system. He also led the development of the AMA’s first province-wide medical student surveys on advocacy, recruitment, and retention. As Vice-President External (Provincial) for the Calgary Medical Students’ Association, he organized the 2025 Provincial Day of Action, coordinating meetings between 40 medical students and more than 50 Alberta MLAs, including the Premier.
He has represented medical students at provincial and national forums, including the AMA’s Representative Forum, where he authored a successful motion that led to the establishment of an Early-Career Physician Task Force.
Beyond advocacy, Jake contributes to geriatrics-focused medical education resources through The Calgary Guide to Understanding Disease and helped represent learner perspectives during the implementation of the Southern Alberta Medical Program at the University of Lethbridge.
Outside of medicine, he enjoys playing the organ at United and Presbyterian churches across the province, as well as hiking, skiing, and watching reality TV.
Inspired by 2020 Laureate Joseph Martin, MD PhD
"I am humbled to have been selected and even more energized to continue advocating for a better health care system in Alberta and beyond."
Stefanie Kiriazopoulos is a medical student at the University of Saskatchewan who is passionate about medical education, clinical research, and community engagement. After earning her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2024, she applies her pharmacy background to support her peers by leading interactive pharmacology review workshops. Through her leadership roles with the USask Primers Group, Anesthesia Interest Group, and Choosing Wisely STARS program, Stefanie strives to create collaborative learning environments through approachable mentorship and peer teaching.
Stefanie’s research focuses on health care quality improvement, with projects examining pediatric pain management in emergency care, the lived experiences of patients seeking care for chronic pain, and professional burnout among health care providers.
Outside of medicine, Stefanie has coached high school improvisational theatre for over seven years, helping young performers find their voice onstage. She also volunteers with Creative Options Regina to support recreational programming for adults with disabilities and previously served as an adult literacy coach. Stefanie hopes to build a career in Saskatchewan that integrates compassionate patient care with teaching, research, and advocacy.
Inspired by 2020 Laureate Jean Gray, MD
"To be recognized alongside medical students from across Canada who are making meaningful contributions to medicine and their communities is incredibly humbling. I hope to carry forward the values of the CMHF Laureates and contribute to a more accessible, equitable, and responsive health care system."
J.J. Mao's work is rooted in grassroots and community-based organizing that supports and nurtures marginalized youth. Her background is in Psychology and Education, which lays the academic foundation for her to apply research into intentional initiatives that fulfil the needs set out by community.
Foundational to her work is radical care and honesty, which work together to build youth resilience and tangible social change. She has consistently witnessed inequities within health care, and she hopes to leverage her knowledge and positions to help address these gaps using education and skill-sharing as tools of empowerment. Her work emphasizes the importance of making knowledge accessible and equipping individuals with practical skills that enable them to advocate for themselves and their communities.
J.J. has founded and supported organizations dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of marginalized communities because she recognizes that community-driven support systems are critical to long-term wellness, connection, and setting the path forward for thriving and sustainable futures. She dreams of a future filled with compassion and justice.
Inspired by 2016 Laureate May Cohen, MD
Mohamed Alzahran fled Syria as a refugee, settling with his family in Capreol, Ontario. A medical student at NOSM University, he has lived in Northern Ontario, where access to care is unequal and has been working to change that.
He co-organized the Syrian Canadian Blood Donation Day, helped lead the Northern Ontario PPE Campaign during COVID-19 by hand-sewing and distributing masks to frontline workers, provided first aid with St. John Ambulance, and served as Manager of Finance on the Human Kinetics Student Council. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology and Health Sciences with a Minor in Indigenous Interdisciplinary Studies from Laurentian University, where he completed an Honours thesis under Dr. Michel Larivière on return-to-work after occupational injury, and a Master of Public Health from the University of Waterloo.
At NOSM University, he received the Summer Medical Student Research Award in 2025 and 2026, with his 2026 project examining stigma toward patients with mental illness among ED staff under Dr. Abbasy. He collaborates with Dr. Shurrab on cardiovascular disparities in Northern Ontario, co-leads the Suture Society and Altitude Healthcare Mentoring Program, and serves as Vice-President of the Orthopedic Interest Group.
He believes geography should never limit access to care and is building a career on it.
Inspired by 2025 Laureate Nadine Rena Caron, MD
"Receiving this award means the world to me. The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame has recognized some of the most influential physicians in our country's history. To be included in that legacy, even as a medical student at the very beginning of my career, is an honour I never imagined and will never forget."
Isis So is an MD/PhD candidate at Western University. She previously completed her HBSc and MSc degrees at the University of Toronto, where she studied neurodegeneration after traumatic brain injury. Her current research examines how mutations causing hereditary frontotemporal dementia may affect brain development decades before symptoms emerge, with the ultimate goal of informing earlier diagnosis and treatment strategies. Isis’ research has been disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, national and international presentations, and has been recognized by various awards, including a CIHR doctoral scholarship.
Isis has made systemic improvements as a leader and advocate within national and institutional trainee organizations. Her efforts at the Clinician-Investigator Trainee Association of Canada, Canadian Federation for Medical Students, Schulich Medicine Hippocratic Council, and Schulich MD/PhD Student Council have strengthened governance, increased equity in funding, and fostered more inclusive and engaged communities. Extending the support that shaped her own trajectory, she mentors talented and underrepresented students applying to medical school and engages high-school students through science outreach initiatives, including Shad Canada, where she is an alumna, and her local annual CMHF Healthcare Discovery Day.
Isis aims to become a physician-scientist in neurology, contributing to both patient care and scientific research in neurodegeneration, while supporting future generations of trainees.
Inspired by 1997 Laureate Brenda Milner, PhD
"I am proud to be recognized by the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and the values it represents. This recognition reaffirms my commitment to making a lasting impact in medicine and science throughout my career while building on the legacy of the remarkable physician-scientists who came before me."
Alice is an MD/PhD candidate at McMaster University. Her doctoral research uses human genetics to explore why disease risk, treatment responses and clinical outcomes differ across patients, with the goal of advancing more precise and equitable care.
Alice’s research spans genetic epidemiology, stroke, adverse drug reactions and pediatric neurological disorders, drawing on datasets ranging from population-scale biobanks to carefully characterized patient cohorts. Her work has examined variation in the effects of cardiometabolic risk factors, contributed to one of the largest genetic studies of stroke among individuals of African ancestry and characterized epilepsy outcomes in children with BRAF-related disorders. These studies were made possible through multidisciplinary collaborations across Canada and internationally and were supported by trainee funding, including the CIHR Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.
Alongside her doctoral research, Alice is leading a study examining sleep disturbances in children with severe epilepsy, an underrecognized source of burden for patients and their families. She is passionate about collaborative science, mentorship, and ensuring that research remains grounded in clinical priorities.
Inspired by 2015 Laureate Judith G. Hall, MD
Bryce Bogie, PhD, is an MD candidate in the MD-PhD Program at the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on cognitive impairment in mood and psychotic disorders and promoting accessible, non-pharmacological treatment interventions. His doctoral work included the co-development and evaluation of a virtual reality-based cognitive remediation intervention and the implementation of a Cognitive Health Clinic at a large Canadian mental health hospital.
Bryce has published 25 peer-reviewed articles spanning neuroscience, psychiatry, medical education, and health policy. His research has been supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and other government and institutional awards.
Bryce has served on several national and university boards and governing bodies. He was an elected representative on both the Senate (2020-2021) and Board of Governors (2023-present) of the University of Ottawa. He served as President of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students from 2025-2026 and now serves as Past-President. He has also served as a Graduate Fellow with the University of Ottawa’s Institute for Science, Society and Policy and Editor-in-Chief of the University of Ottawa Journal of Medicine.
Looking ahead, Bryce aims to integrate clinical care, research, leadership, and public policy to help build more equitable and effective health systems.
Inspired by 2019 Laureate Rémi Quirion, PhD
Tiffany Habelrih is a medical student at McGill University with a strong interest in research, medical education, and community leadership. She completed a PhD in Pharmacology at Université de Montréal under the supervision of Dr. Sylvain Chemtob, where she was awarded the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Her doctoral research focused on developing novel anti-inflammatory therapies to prevent preterm birth and improve outcomes for mothers and newborns.
Throughout her training, Tiffany has published multiple first-author manuscripts, presented her research nationally and internationally, and mentored undergraduate and graduate trainees. Beyond her academic work, she founded Halo MVMT in 2018, expanding the student-led initiative across three universities to promote volunteerism and fundraising for local charities. She currently serves as Vice-President of Education for the Women's Health Awareness Movement, where she leads educational initiatives promoting women's health, and as the medical student representative on McGill's Medical Education Committee, advocating for curriculum development and student engagement.
Outside of academia, she is a black belt in karate and enjoys travelling, discovering new cultures, and exploring new cuisines. As she continues her medical training, Tiffany hopes to integrate research, education, and compassionate patient care throughout her career while contributing to innovations that improve women’s health outcomes.
Inspired by 2016 Laureate May Cohen, MD
Béatrice is studying medicine at the University of Montréal. Her journey lies at the intersection of research, clinical care, and community engagement. Driven by a passion for the health of children and vulnerable populations, she strives to deepen her understanding of disease mechanisms to contribute to more effective care.
Alongside her medical studies, Béatrice holds a master's degree in pharmacology, completing research at the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre under the supervision of Dr. Sylvain Chemtob. Her work explored the causes of prematurity and investigated inflammatory mechanisms involved in preterm labour to identify new ways to support newborn development. She is currently pursuing translational medicine in paediatrics through projects in paediatric allergology, particularly oral immunotherapy for food allergies, and innovation initiatives in paediatric intensive care. She has presented her research at national and international conferences.
Beyond research, Béatrice is involved in projects that bring medicine closer to the community. As President of Halo MVMT, she encourages students to support children in palliative care in collaboration with Le Phare – Children and Families. She also promotes science education for young people and contributes to the development of a collaborative global health project in Guatemala.
Her work is guided by a commitment to bridging the gap between medical knowledge and the needs of communities.
Inspired by 2024 Laureate Noni MacDonald, MD
Émilie Bortolussi-Courval has a unique triple expertise; she is a clinical nurse, a researcher and a future doctor. After obtaining her degree as a clinical nurse, she went on to study for a doctorate in experimental medicine at McGill University, maintaining an excellent academic record throughout. Her research has been commended in numerous publications and has been awarded major grants. Her work focuses on the appropriateness of care, deprescription, and the implementation of digital clinical tools in clinical practice. She is currently studying for a medical degree at the University of Sherbrooke (class of 2028).
A committed and resilient leader, Émilie applies her scientific rigour to public and political action, while collaborating on the creation of material for health platforms and helping to develop legislative initiatives to protect vulnerable people. In 2026, her sustained community involvement earned her the Jeune en action (Youth in Action) award from the City of Brossard. As a recipient of the prestigious Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award for Medical Students, Émilie embodies a bold new generation of medical professionals dedicated to breaking down interdisciplinary silos and humanizing healthcare systems.
Inspired by 2018 Laureate Emily Stowe, MD
Athéna Croteau is a student at Laval University. Her university journey combines scientific rigour, leadership and a humanistic commitment. Following her passion for translational research, Athéna has taken part in the international iGEM synthetic biology competition in Paris since 2024, where she has helped design two projects that were awarded a gold and a silver medal. Her molecular oncology research, conducted as part of Dr. Jacques Côté’s team, contributed to the submission of a paper to the journal Nature Communications.
Athéna is also a teaching assistant in anatomy and co-chair of the Medical Research Interest Group (GIRM), where she makes research more accessible to students and the general public. Convinced that the most effective innovations are developed in collaboration with those they aim to serve, Athéna founded and is president of the HUMANÖ initiative, which aims to promote dialogue between people with disabilities and healthcare professionals in order to encourage more inclusive and accessible care.
Athéna aspires to a career as a clinician-researcher, where research, teaching and community partnership come together to advance healthcare. An avid marathon runner, Athéna believes that sustainable leadership is based on a healthy work-life balance.
Inspired by 2025 Laureate Nadine Rena Caron, MD
Abdelrahman Abu Osba is a medical student at Dalhousie University whose experience as a newcomer to Canada has shaped his commitment to equity, mentorship, and inclusive health care. Having navigated unfamiliar systems without guidance, he is passionate about creating pathways for students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue medicine.
Abdelrahman founded Pathway to Medicine, connecting medical and high school students across Nova Scotia to demystify the path to medical school. At Dalhousie, he serves as Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility and Co-Chair of the Student Diversity and Inclusion Committee, leading curricular initiatives, health equity programming, and advocacy that foster inclusive learning environments. Nationally, he co-authored a position paper on international human rights violations as a member of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students.
His research has been presented nationally and internationally and recognized through awards and funding. Abdelrahman channels his gratitude for his family’s sacrifices into tutoring newcomer children and coaching youth soccer, which gave him a sense of belonging after arriving in Canada. Outside medicine, Abdelrahman enjoys soccer, basketball, and scuba diving.
As a future physician, he hopes to integrate clinical practice, research, and advocacy to build equitable health care systems where every student and patient feels represented and supported.
Inspired by 2025 Laureate Nadine Rena Caron, MD
Radhika Verma was born and raised in Stephenville, Newfoundland, and is a medical student at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She completed a Doctor of Pharmacy and has combined her passions for medicine and visual art to make healthcare more accessible, compassionate, and human.
She founded "Radhika's Creative Corner" at Easter Seals, where she led personalized painting classes for individuals with disabilities. By tailoring each lesson to participants' unique abilities, she created an environment where creativity-built confidence, connection, and inclusion.
Her commitment to service was shaped by early experiences on the Premier's Youth Council and as Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador. Since then, she has remained dedicated to community health initiatives, including advocating for improved access to care for underserved communities.
Radhika also brings together art and medicine through education. She illustrated a national children's book to help young patients better understand hospital-based procedures and reduce associated anxiety. She has also coordinated hands-on workshops introducing medical students to procedural skills believing education is most meaningful when it is engaging and approachable.
Whether creating artwork, teaching a new skill, or caring for a patient, Radhika is passionate about finding meaningful ways to connect with others. Outside of medicine, she enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends.
Inspired by 2016 Laureate May Cohen, 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
