Programs: Postgraduate, Agile education, Research: Cancer, Impactful research
This week is Resident Awareness week (also known as Resident Doctor Appreciation Week). To celebrate, we highlight some of the resident doctors from our programs in our Resident’s Q&A!
Today we feature Dr. Sarah Khan a PGY3 Resident in Diagnostic & Molecular Pathology.
Why did you choose this residency?
First and foremost, I absolutely love being able to diagnose! Having the opportunity to piece together the beautiful image of a slide under a microscope with ancillary tests and clinical history is absolutely enthralling to me. To me, there are no other specialties this satisfying.
What’s the best part of being a lab medicine resident?
My favourite part of being a lab medicine resident is the excitement of learning and applying new material. I would not be doing the residency justice, however, if I didn't mention the great people with whom I get to work. From fellow residents and administrative staff, to pathology assistants and staff pathologists, I am so fortunate with my colleagues. People are really supportive and engaged, and I couldn't ask for more.
What research are you working on right now?
I have a few irons in the fire right now but one of the projects looks at pitfalls in the diagnosis of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas (STICs), which are precursor lesions to some forms of high-grade ovarian cancer. I will be presenting our findings at a pathology conference this March and we hope to get a manuscript published thereafter.
Why should someone do a residency in Laboratory Medicine?
It is simply the best kept secret in Medicine! You get to work with great people, the workflow can be really smooth and the subject matter itself is endlessly interesting.
What do you do when you’re not in the lab?
I like to stay active and also spend time with my family and friends (including my cat, Daisy). I enjoy the food and wine scene in Toronto, but also love to get out travelling as much as I can. At home, I like to read fiction and play the piano.
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
A few years back, I spent a month travelling around Japan, which included nine days volunteering on an organic mandarin grove!
