Dr. Kadhim Taqi is a PGY4 in the UBC General Surgery Residency program. He applied as an international Visa trainee from Oman, where he obtained his medical degree from Sultan Qaboos University and where he had already begun his residency. He travelled here with his wife and kid. As a resident, he is already being recognized for his work in surgical oncology and was recently awarded with the Gwyneth and J.T. Sandy Memorial Award in Surgical Oncology.
Choosing the UBC General Surgery Residency Program
In Oman, residents are encouraged and supported by the Oman medical Specialty Board to apply for experiences internationally. His mentor, Dr. Hani Al-Qadhi, had done his residency and trauma fellowship at UBC. He was inspired by his leadership and his level of confidence and knowledge, and Dr. Taqi knew he wanted to come here and train under the same institution that shaped his mentor.
Now, he says he is still continually impressed by the program. When asked about his favourite experience in the program he says each place and experience made a great impression on him. He emphasized the role of each rotation and hospital in his thorough and complex general surgery training. He enjoyed the independence in his surgical experience at St. Paul’s Hospital, the complex and challenging cases he was involved in at Vancouver General Hospital, and the different techniques and the flexibility to focus on areas of improvement and interest during his rotations in rural or community hospitals. He also loves the opportunity to travel around BC and the many amazing people he has met along the way.
Support & Guidance
Dr. Taqi says he is forever grateful to their program directors for their support navigating the program. From the moment he arrived in Canada, he has had their guidance and support in making a plan for his applications and his stay here with his family. He believes that their dedication to their residents is clear, and they are always ready to help for matters big and small. He shared that when his youngest child was born, they helped arrange his rotation schedule to allow him to be there for his family while continuing his training. He says he has also been lucky to be in the program with such great residents with whom he’s formed deep friendships.
What’s next for Dr. Kadhim Taqi
For Dr. Taqi, the next step is finishing his residency and applying for a surgical oncology fellowship. Since the beginning, Dr. Taqi has been captivated by surgical oncology. He particularly finds the population, disease pathology, and the challenging nature of cases fascinating. He loves the thinking process and operative skills required for each case. From the work he has done during his residency, there is no doubt that Dr. Taqi will be making a huge impact in surgical oncology back home and internationally in the future.
Message to UBC General Surgery Residents
For his fellow residents and future residents, he passes on advice from one of his senior residents:
“Everyone in this program is a going to be a great surgeon! Don’t worry about an appendectomy surgery you missed as an R1!”
He adds, “You are in a great program. If you work hard, keep your head low, and put your mind to it, then by the end of fifth year the program will make sure you graduate as a well trained surgeon”
He also reminds international residents like him to always keep in mind how they can take the learning opportunities they have in this program and how it can be applied back home. He also encourages other residents to learn from their international colleagues and learn how different health systems around the world work. He notes that this diversity of experience is an additional learning opportunity for everyone.