Dr Zainab Najarali, 27, is based at Toronto Western Hospital in Canada.
“I am so grateful to have the opportunity to serve my community during this time.”
Dr Najarali is a second-year Family Medicine resident who will be training in Emergency Medicine next year. She usually carries out several family medicine clinics every week, both remotely and in person. Now she is also volunteering at the COVID assessment centre, where she assesses and swabs patients, and on the inpatient wards at the hospital.
How are you and your colleagues are coping?
There has been a lot of uncertainty with our schedules and with protocols changing constantly. We are so lucky to have support from our residency directors, our families and friends, and the community at large. It’s been so touching to have an outpouring of support from local workout studios, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.
We have also really relied on our coresidents for support during these times as we navigate this novel situation together. To stay well, I try to work out every day, cook as often as possible and spend time talking to loved ones on FaceTime or through scheduled Zoom get togethers. This has made Friday nights at home much more bearable!
What does it mean to frontline medical staff to know how much you are appreciated?
It means so much to have so much support from the public. This makes going into work every day so much easier. It is much more motivating to volunteer for extra shifts and increase my exposure when I know the public is doing their best to stay home, follow protocols and support us as much as they can. This entire experience has taught me the value of community and I am so thankful to be in such a great city.
What motivates you personally?
I am motivated by amazing role models around me. Every day, I see the incredible generosity and selflessness from doctors who train me. They put their themselves and families at risk without any hesitation. This display of selflessness reminds me of why I chose this profession: to be among great people and learn from them. I have so much to learn from my mentors and am so excited to continue my career in medicine, and so grateful to have the opportunity to serve my community during this time.