Rahul Agrawal for Class President

No Classmate Left Behind

Hello everyone,

My name is Rahul, and I am running for Class President.

Over the past few weeks, many of you have asked me about my experience serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. Army taught me many things, one lesson has stayed with me above all others:

"We never leave our people behind."

That simple value has guided me throughout my career, and it is the value I would bring to this role. If elected, I will do my best to ensure that no classmate feels left behind.

Some of you who have met me know that I'm not shy about speaking up, asking for help, or offering help. Medical school is an incredible opportunity, but it can also be challenging. Whether someone is struggling with academics, financial difficulties, career decisions, or personal health, I want them to know that they are not alone.

I know this because I've been there myself. Before medical school, I attended pharmacy school, where I experienced many of the same challenges. I learned that asking for help is not a weakness. It is often the first step towards a solution. If I can be a source of support, I will gladly help. If I don't have the answer, I will do my best to connect you with someone who does.

One quote from military training helped me through some of my most difficult moments:

"Alone, one could go fast. Together, we can go far."

That is how I view our class. For those who do not know me, my journey to medical school has been anything but predictable. I was born and raised in India, came to Canada for university, somehow became a pharmacist, served in the Canadian Armed Forces, and lived in five Canadian cities along the way. I've DJed, ridden motorcycles, travelled, and run races. Looking back, it seems every experience was somehow preparing me for medicine... although I'm still not entirely sure how the DJ part fits into that plan.

As President, I want to focus on three areas:

First, academics. Many students, especially those who did not attend uOttawa or Carleton, have shared their frustrations navigating Elentra and Brightspace. Trust me, I've gotten lost in both. While I may not be able to redesign the platforms, I will work to organize a session where experienced students can teach us how to navigate them efficiently and make our academic lives easier.

Second, community. I had an amazing time during O-Week. In fact, despite living in Ottawa for the past two years, I somehow saw more of Ottawa in the last two weeks than in the previous two years. Also, everyone looked stunning in the party photos. I hope to collaborate with our M2 colleagues to create more opportunities for our class to connect, laugh, and build friendships beyond the lecture hall.

Third, well-being. I would love to explore creating a mindfulness and wellness group where classmates can connect through yoga, conversations, or simply supporting one another.
Finally, leadership to me is about listening, communicating openly, and bringing people together. Drawing on my experiences in the Army, I will advocate for transparency, strengthen communication with faculty, and seek mentorship from M2 students to help turn ideas into action.

At the end of the day, my promise is simple:

I will listen. I will speak up. I will work hard. And I will do my best to ensure that no classmate is left behind.

Thank you for your support.

Rahul Agrawal
Candidate for Class President