Hey everyone, my name is Celestina (but many of you know me as Celey) and I’m running for the MD class of 2029 presidency. My vision is simple: we deserve a class experience that feels supportive, connected, and empowering. I want to represent you, echo your voice, and ensure that the needs of your individual journey are prioritized as we navigate this experience together. Getting into medical school was one of the most exciting moments of my life, but it came with pressure, expectations and uncertainty. As I know I’m not the only one who feels that way, my campaign is focused on building a class culture where we feel supported–not just as students, but as people.

If elected, I want to focus on 4 main areas:

Community and connection: Medical school can be isolating, but we have the opportunity to build a class culture that feels like family. Community and connection mean creating spaces where we can celebrate milestones, support each other through challenges, and form friendships that last beyond these four years. With this, I would work with my co-president and other VPs to host regular social events to strengthen bonds outside of academics! I would also ensure accessibility, so that everyone, regardless of background, schedule, or language of instruction, is able to participate.

Advocacy and representation: Being class president isn’t just about organizing events–it’s about making sure your voice shapes how our med school experience unfolds. Advocacy and representation mean being a reliable bridge between students and faculty, ensuring our class has a seat at the table in decision-making. With this, I plan to develop easy feedback channels (such as surveys and anonymous suggestion forms) so you can share concerns at any time. I would also commit to full transparency and ensure that key information that affects your education is shared, so you can always stay informed.

Academic/professional support and development: We’re all here to learn, grow, and become excellent doctors, but we don’t have to do it alone. Academic/professional support and development mean making sure every classmate is set up for success! With this, I plan on launching weekly/bi-weekly newsletters to help everyone stay on track of important deadlines. I also want to coordinate with career services and interest groups to bring opportunities for extracurricular and research experiences, and CV building.

Well-being: Med school is rewarding but demanding, and burnout is real. Well-being means creating a culture that values balance, mental health, and celebrating progress, so that we can sustain our passion for medicine without sacrificing ourselves. With this, I hope to make myself available for whatever you need (and I mean that) to ensure that you feel supported. Overall, I also want to encourage a class culture where we celebrate small wins, not just big milestones, so all success is recognized.

With this platform, I am committed to ensuring that every single member (incluant ceux et celles dans le volet francophone) of our class has the next best four years of their lives. Whether it’s planning events, advocating for your needs, or just checking on how you’re doing, I’ll be there for you. This is our journey–let’s look back on it with pride.