VP Community Health
Mathilde Tardif
Bonjour/Hello everyone!
My name is Mathilde, and I’m excited to be running for VP of Community Health! I strongly believe in the importance of wellbeing and finding balance throughout our medical journey. My platform focuses on three key pillars: mental and physical wellness, clear communication, and collaboration.
Mental health and wellbeing have always been incredibly important to me. I know how challenging the transition to medical school can be. I’m always actively working on finding that balance between work and social life, and I want to create space to prioritize wellness and help others do the same.
Before starting med school, I volunteered as a Peer Educator at the University of Guelph’s Student Wellness Centre, where I helped organize wellness events like movie nights, cooking classes, budget-friendly dinners, and stress-relief activities. I’d love to bring similar initiatives to our Faculty, such as art sessions, yoga sessions, nutrition workshops, and low-pressure social events to help us recharge.
Some of my personal favourite events are themed bingo nights, paint nights, and stressbusters workshops! If there are any events you'd like to see next year, I’d love to hear about them and make them happen.
As VP of Community Health, I would be honoured to represent our student body in meetings with Student Affairs and the University of Ottawa Wellness Committee. I would bring forward your ideas and advocate for initiatives that promote a supportive, inclusive, and healthy learning environment.
Communication is also a key part of this role. This past year, I’ve noticed how hard it can be to keep track of interest group events and wellness resources with so many platforms (emails, Messenger, Instagram). I’d love to help create a centralized, easy-to-navigate space—whether that be a shared Instagram account or another accessible platform—so that everyone stays in the loop.
Lastly, I’m really looking forward to collaborating with the various VPs, including the VPs of Athletics, Philanthropy, and Social Affairs, to create events that are inclusive and reach all corners of our student community.
With my background in health promotion and experience in student communications, I truly believe I can make a meaningful contribution to our class and community. I’d love the chance to support all of you in creating the best medical school experience.
Thank you so much for your support and for considering me for this role! :)
— Mathilde
Ariana Kokkinakis
Hi everyone! My name is Ariana Kokkinakis, and I’m part of the MD2028 class in the Francophone stream. I am so excited to be running for VP Community Health and would love the opportunity to represent you on ASoc! Before I dive into my campaign, I would like to share a bit about myself. I am an Ottawa girl through and through – I grew up in Cumberland in the east end of Ottawa and completed my undergraduate degree here at uOttawa in Biomedical Sciences prior to starting medical school with all of you. A core value of mine throughout the years has been to keep a balanced lifestyle; I love playing soccer, going to yoga, traveling, attending as many Sens games as possible, and spending time with my friends and family. Although I try my best to stay balanced, I understand how prioritizing our own wellness and taking time to relax during the academic year can be overwhelming. As I’m sure you are aware, medical school is challenging and has countless demands at once from staying on top of Anki, organizing electives and attending CSL placements. As VP community health, I hope to promote student wellness and make medical school even more enjoyable by organizing fun activities like group hikes in Gatineau Park and skating on the canal (snacks included!). Ottawa offers plenty of opportunities to unwind outside of academics, and I’d love to help students take advantage of them to truly make Ottawa feel like home! Additionally, I believe we are so lucky to have specialty and community interest groups available to us to discover our passion in medicine in a stress-free environment all while building connections with mentors and other students. If elected, I will learn and work closely with Sayed (current VP Community Health) to ensure leaders of interest groups are well supported in organizing various events such as hand-on workshops and speaker presentations. I plan to ensure seamless event coordination which can be as simple as providing students with ample notice of talks and keeping the Google calendar up to date to maximize participation! Finally, my strongest motivation comes from understanding the challenges in accessing and navigating mental and physical health resources, such as obtaining medical appointments on campus. I want to be a bridge between students and the Faculty of Medicine (and uOttawa in general) to help make resources more accessible. I’m excited to work on projects like a wellness resource guide to make it easier for students to find the support they need. I would love the opportunity to make student wellness a continued priority as VP Community Health and look forward to working with all of you to make it happen!
Sarah Bahreinian
Hi everyone! My name is Sarah Bahreinian, and I am running to be your next VP of Community Health.
As VP Community Health, I will bring lived experience, leadership, and a long-standing commitment to wellness, health equity, and student advocacy – which makes me feel confident in my abilities to serve in this role.
As the current Occupational Wellness Chair for the Student Wellness Committee, I’ve had the privilege of organizing initiatives that support the professional, emotional, and mental well-being of medical students. This year, I organized the “Transition to Clerkship” event, where upper-year medical students, residents, and attendings shared candid advice on succeeding in clinical rotations. These experiences have taught me how to respond to the evolving wellness needs of our cohort and how to create events that are meaningful and genuinely desired by uOttawa medical students.
Equity and social justice are values that are at the forefront of my identity. I have consistently worked at the intersection of health and equity throughout both undergrad and medical school. Last year, I was a delegate for the Ontario Medical Students Association (OMSA) Day of Action, where I met with MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam to advocate for expanded access to mental healthcare across Ontario. This year, I supported the 2025 OMSA Day of Action as part of the Logistics Committee, working behind the scenes. Because of my involvement in both OMSA and our Student Wellness Committee, I am confident in my ability to serve as a liaison between uOttawa-specific initiatives and broader province-wide and national organizations like OMSA and the Canadian Federation of Medical Students. I understand how these networks function and am prepared to advocate at various levels on your behalf.
In addition to my passion for equity and advocacy, I’ve taken on several leadership roles during medical school—particularly in mentorship—through my work as Chair of Altitude Healthcare Mentoring and as a Vertical Mentorship Coordinator. These experiences have equipped me with the insight and confidence to amplify the voices of our medical student community.
If elected, I will:
• Collaborate with the Office of Student Affairs to develop initiatives that promote wellness for all students, including programming that addresses issues specific to uOttawa students such as burnout, imposter syndrome, and identity-related stressors.
• Strengthen partnerships with local organizations to facilitate student-led community health outreach, volunteering, and service learning.
• Act as a responsive and engaged liaison to both the CFMS and the uOttawa Student Wellness Committee to ensure your voices are heard.
• Support special and community interest groups by streamlining access to funding, space, and administrative support.
• Coordinate a meaningful and compassionate sMILES for Amanda event in collaboration with VP Athletics and VP Philanthropy.
Ultimately, my goal as VP of Community Health would be to create spaces—both within and beyond the Faculty of Medicine—where medical students can feel safe, seen, and supported. With a passion for advocacy, mentorship, student wellness, and leadership, I am excited to elevate your voices and serve as your next VP of Community Health.
Sincerely,
Sarah Bahreinian
Catherine Song
As I approach the end of my first year as medical student at UOttawa, I am growing to feel a great sense of meaning and belonging in my fellow medical students and the unique program and experiences forming our lives. Because of my desire to become more involved in deepening these connections and memories, I wish to submit my candidacy for the role of ASoc Vice President of Community Health. I am deeply committed to fostering a supportive and health-conscious community for my peers. I believe this role offers a unique opportunity to advocate for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of medical students throughout their journey.
Medical school can be demanding, and maintaining a healthy balance is essential for both academic success and personal well-being. As VP of Community Health, my priority would be to promote wellness initiatives that empower students to prioritize their health. I will endeavour to collaborate with the Office of Student Affairs to organize events and resources that focus on physical fitness, mental resilience, and emotional support.
I am also passionate about supporting existing health-focused student groups and encouraging the formation of new ones as applicable that align with student interests. As a liaison, I would ensure that these groups receive the support they need to create a diverse range of wellness initiatives, such as fitness programs, mindfulness workshops, and peer support networks. It’s essential that students feel supported and have easy access to wellness resources, and I will strive to bridge any gaps between students and these valuable services.
Furthermore, I would continue the tradition of the sMILES for Amanda event in honor of Amanda Kelsall, MD 2016, working closely with the VP Athletics and VP Philanthropy to ensure its success and lasting impact on mental health awareness.
Finally, I would serve as a strong advocate for student wellness on the University of Ottawa Student Wellness Committee and act as a liaison between CFMS and uOttawa to ensure our health and wellness priorities are represented.
I am dedicated to creating an environment where every student has the support they need to thrive.
Thank you for considering my candidacy.
Catherine Song, MD2028
