"It's meaningful to contribute to the same campus where my own journey into medicine began."
What brought you to UPEI? Why did you choose to study here?
I grew up in Stratford, Prince Edward Island. My mom is a nurse, and my dad was an RCMP officer, so we moved around a bit. We lived in Alberton and Stratford, PEI; Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; and eventually returned to Stratford. I'm the oldest of four siblings and was fortunate to receive a full scholarship to UPEI, which allowed me to live at home, play varsity rugby, work as a surfguard at national park beaches during the summer and teach swimming lessons at the YMCA during the winter, and coach high school rugby at Charlottetown Rural.
When did you attend UPEI, and what was your program of study?
I attended UPEI from 1998 to 2003, completing an undergraduate degree in chemistry and one year of a Master's degree in chemistry. My graduate studies were cut short when I was accepted into medical school at Memorial University. After that, I completed a residency in emergency medicine, followed by a fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine in Ottawa, and a Master’s in medical education before returning home to practice medicine in PEI.
What did you find unique and interesting about UPEI's chemistry program?
The chemistry building was brand new at the time, and the faculty were young, enthusiastic, and approachable. I really enjoyed the camaraderie among the chemistry students. Dr. Robert Haines, my mentor and research supervisor, was a standout educator and role model—his influence was a big part of why I chose to major in chemistry.
"The research experience I gained at UPEI was instrumental in shaping my approach to future research projects throughout medical school, residency, and fellowship. Now, as we prepare to welcome new students to PEI's medical school campus, it feels meaningful to be contributing to the same campus where my own journey into medicine began."
What kinds of support did you receive during your time here from UPEI students, staff, and faculty?
The chemistry faculty were incredibly supportive—always eager to teach and very approachable. Many had young families, and I even taught some of their children swimming lessons at the YMCA. I was active in the Chemistry Student Society and on the rugby team, and I was fortunate to be mentored by Dr. Haines throughout my time at UPEI.
What opportunities have you experienced because you studied at UPEI, or because of the Island location?
I received several scholarships, including the Gertrude Cotton Memorial Full Tuition Scholarship, two NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards, and a NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship. I also earned a spot on the UPEI Rugby team. Being from PEI allowed me to apply for one of the two Island-designated seats at Memorial University’s medical school, a key step in my journey.
What’s unique about UPEI and Prince Edward Island, in your experience?
UPEI’s small size made the transition from high school to university natural. The departments were close-knit, and faculty were accessible—I’d often see them at rugby games, the beach, or the local pool where I taught swimming lessons. There was a strong sense of community, both within UPEI and the broader Island, especially in the chemistry department and the rugby world.
How did your time at UPEI prepare you for further study, your career, and your current role with the Faculty of Medicine?
UPEI provided a strong academic foundation that prepared me well for medical school and later, my Masters in medical education. The research experience I gained at UPEI was instrumental in shaping my approach to future research projects throughout medical school, residency, and fellowship. Now, as we prepare to welcome new students to PEI's medical school campus, it's meaningful to contribute to the same campus where my own journey into medicine began.
Big futures start here!
Read more about the UPEI students and amazing alumni featured in our 2026–2027 Viewbook!
Interested in UPEI? Contact our student advisement team today at apply@upei.ca.
Meet Kate VanGerven, Director of Tour and International Visits for the Prime Minister of Canada and Bachelor of Arts in English graduate (Class of 2013).
Meet Brennan McDuffee, Bachelor of Arts in Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture student (Class of 2025).
Meet Charlize Sahely, accountant with EY's Tax Division and Bachelor of Business Administration alumna (Class of 2024).
Meet Jenna Flowers, baccalauréat en éducation—français langue seconde graduate (Class of 2025).
Meet Kallie Drummond, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Indigenous Studies minor (Class of 2026).
Meet Dr. Aleisha Murnaghan, UPEI alumna (Class of 2002), emergency medicine physician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and director of medical program development with the UPEI Faculty of Medicine.
Meet Kate Doyle, Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate (Class of 2025).
Samuel graduated in 2024 with a double-major in Mathematics (Honours) and Economics.
Meet Temiloluwa “Rosetta” Shokunbi, UPEI Sustainable Design Engineering student (Class of 2026).
Meet Tsukasa Iwamoto, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student (Class of 2026).
