Email: mariana@itpo.ca
Country of Origin: Brazil
Medical School: Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Parana
Current position: PGY-2 Family Medicine, University of Toronto

After arriving in Canada and not being able even to get interviews for jobs that paid less than the livable wage for the area, I knew something was wrong either with me or with the system. After meeting a young Iranian refugee cardiovascular surgeon selling ear aids as his profession, I understood that the issue was systemic. I could not understand why someone eager and with so many skills and years of knowledge could not get to be a working medical professional here.

When I learned about ITPO and their commitment to changing ITP-reality in Canada, I realized I had to join their endeavours. ITPO's commitment to advocacy and fostering a community of support and empowerment for ITPs made me stay firm on my decision to be a part of the Board of Directors.

In the future, I wish to see ITPs who are better informed about the road to medical practice in Canada and a less discriminatory system towards us.