VP Athletic Affairs
Shahzeb Khan
Hey everyone, I’m excited to run for VP Athletics! Over the past little while as the Jr. VP Athletics, I’ve been working behind the scenes to bring more sports and wellness opportunities to our med school community, and I’m not done yet. From reviving long-lost initiatives to creating new ones, I’ve been pushing to make athletics more accessible, fun, and inclusive for everyone. Why Me? Athletics and physical activity are more than just games; they are a vital part of our well-being, stress relief, and community building as future physicians. My leadership experience in sports, event planning, and student engagement over the past few years has equipped me with the skills necessary to maximize participation, foster inclusivity, and revitalize our athletic programs. My Contributions So Far - Reviving Weekly Sports Drop-In: For years, attempts to reintroduce a weekly sports drop-in for medical students have failed. I took the initiative to bring it back, securing a location at the TOH rehab gym beside RGN and working closely with administration to ensure accessibility at minimal cost. We are currently finalizing the contract, and I am excited to see this initiative officially relaunch. - Innovating Med-Law Games: Traditionally centered around hockey, I have initiated discussions with Law to diversify this initiative by potentially hosting basketball or volleyball Med-Law games. I have also started conversations about securing custom jerseys for our faculty, making this a more immersive and school-spirited competition. - Commitment to Student Wellness: My passion for sports extends beyond competition—I see it as a tool for fostering camaraderie, breaking barriers, and promoting mental and physical wellness in our demanding medical training. My Vision as VP Athletics - Enhance Accessibility: Ensure that all athletic initiatives remain affordable, inclusive, and diverse, catering to students of all skill levels and interests. - Expand Competitive and Recreational Sports: Advocate for more intramural teams, structured tournaments, and casual play opportunities to accommodate different levels of commitment. - Grow the Med-Law Games: Formalize our renewed relationship with the Law students and expand the event into a multi-sport, high-energy rivalry with increased participation. - Optimize Equipment and Resources: As VP Athletics, I will oversee all athletic equipment and ensure its availability to support student-led fitness initiatives. Why Vote for Me? - Proven leadership as Jr. VP Athletics, with tangible results. - Passionate about making athletics and wellness more accessible, engaging, and inclusive. - Committed to enhancing student life through sports, competition, and community-building initiatives. I am excited about the future of athletics at uOttawa Med and would be honored to serve as your VP Athletics. Shahzeb Khan Candidate for VP Athletics
Jonathan Hoffman
Who am I? Hi! My name is Jonathan Hoffman, I’m an MD2028 student in the French stream and I’d like you to consider me for the role of VP Athletic Affairs. Sports have always been a big part of my life, whether it was as a kid growing up playing hockey, as an undergraduate student playing intramurals and now, as a medical student continuing to value sports despite the busy schedule. I’ve been able to appreciate the importance of sports and how it can foster a community beyond the playing field through my various experiences like volunteering at the Twins Causes charity golf tournament (raising funds for Breast Cancer Action, local food drives, and Make-A-Wish) or helping with Hit The Ground Running, a charity run for trauma survivors. These experiences have taught me the importance of balance, teamwork, and the positive impact of staying active. I’m excited to bring that same energy and commitment helping us stay engaged, active and connected. Why I’m Running? After experiencing MedGames 2025, I saw firsthand how unforgettable the experience can be — a weekend of competition, school pride, and building relationships that last well beyond the weekend. With MedGames 2026 coming to UdeM in Montreal, I want to help build an even stronger and united uOttawa team so we can make it the best experience possible for everyone involved. My vision as VP Athletic Affairs • Maximize participation in MedGames: The more, the better! I’ll promote early sign-ups and ensure the experience is welcoming for everyone. • Early team-building events: I plan to host a first-semester social and athletic event for all MedGames participants — a perfect opportunity for both first and second years to bond and build chemistry that will carry into the MedGames weekend. • Faculty-wide sports apparel order: I’ll coordinate a team apparel order with multiple pieces, open to the entire faculty, so we can all proudly represent uOttawa medicine! • Intramural facilitation: Intramurals play a key role in helping our class find balance, stay active, and build friendships outside of the classroom. I promise that every student has the opportunity to find teams and participate. Why vote for me? I’m passionate, reliable, and committed to making this year's athletic experiences exciting and unforgettable. Whether it’s igniting the team spirit for MedGames, setting up intramurals, or fostering community through meaningful events, I’ll bring energy and organization to every initiative.
Nina Tahvildar
Hi everyone! My name is Nina Tahvildar, and I am a first-year student in the MD Program (french cohort). I am very excited to be running for the VP of Athletic Affairs position on The Aesculapian Society! As a uOttawa student for the past four years, I have become familiar with several athletic clubs on campus, such as the uOttawa Ski & Snowboard Club, the uOttawa Boxing Club, and the uOttawa Dance Club. I look forward to introducing these clubs (and more!) to medical students next year, offering more opportunities to explore different sports and physical activities beyond our intramural leagues. Furthermore, having been a member of various clubs at uOttawa, most notably uOttawa’s Science Student Association, I have established many connections that could be beneficial for this role. For example, I plan to partner with organizations such as GURU Beverage to keep our students energized and refreshed during our athletic activities. Finally, my main goal for next year is to increase participation at our athletic events, such as Med vs. Law Games, by leveraging social media to build excitement and offering incentives for attendance. I believe that sports have a unique power to bring people together, fostering school spirit and lasting connections. I experienced this firsthand when I attended Medgames this year, where I had the opportunity to bond with my current classmates and meet medical students from across Canada. With your support, I will ensure that our athletic activities are inclusive, well-organized, and create unforgettable memories for all. Voting starts on Monday, April 14th at 9 AM and runs until Saturday, April 19th at 10 PM. If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me on Facebook or at ntahv104@uottawa.ca