Aboriginal medical school grad credits doctor dad for success

A new medical school graduate from Sioux Lookout, Ont. hopes she can be a role model in aboriginal communities.

Dr. Roisin Dooley's dad, Joe, is a well-respected doctor in the town with a long history of working in remote First Nations. Her mom, Yvette, is from St. Theresa Point First Nation in Manitoba.

Roisin, who just graduated from the University of British Columbia though its Aboriginal MD admissions program, hopes to work with indigenous patients.

"I think it does provide a lot of comfort to patients just kind of having that cultural similarity," she said. "As well as serving as a role model and I hope in the future I can carry that on."

'Proper perspective'

Her dad said he believes his daughter will also have an impact on the medical community, wherever she works.

"It helps for other physicians to work with Aboriginal physicians, to give them a proper perspective on how one works with Aboriginal people," Joe said. "It makes a big difference."

The two doctors Dooley had a special father/daughter moment last year when Roisin was doing a placement in Sioux Lookout and they worked together to deliver the New Year's baby at the Meno Ya Win Health Centre. The baby's mom happened to be from St. Theresa Point.

"It was a really positive experience for me. It really felt like directly giving back to my community," Roisin said. "As well as having my dad there. He's always been a great inspiration and the biggest role model of my life."

Her dad said he never had any qualms about his daughter following in his footsteps.

"I've always enjoyed the work and I'm very proud she's interested in taking this kind of work on," Joe said. "I know it's hard work, but I have great faith in her ability. It's work I've loved doing and I know she will as well."

Roisin will do her residency in obstetrics and gynecology in London, Ontario and hopes to return to the north when she's done.

"I've been told there's an opening if I want to come back," she said.