VP Philanthropy
Mirette Edward
Hey everyone! My name is Mirette, and I’m an MS1 running for VP Philanthropy for the 2026-2027 year! Service and community engagement have been central to my experiences both before and during medical school. As future physicians, I believe that philanthropy should be at the center of our care, strengthening both our connection and sense of community with those we serve. I have been involved in several philanthropic initiatives and have consistently looked for ways to support underserved communities in my hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. As an executive member of the Motionball club at the University of Manitoba, I helped promote inclusion and acceptance for individuals living with disabilities while raising funds for Special Olympics athletes across Canada. Through the events I helped organize, I saw how fundraising can bring people together while also supporting a meaningful cause. Creating that same sense of energy, connection, and community is something I hope to bring to our campus by encouraging students to get involved while enjoying the experience together. Additionally, as a volunteer with the Harvest Manitoba Food Bank, I worked alongside an incredible team to organize the collection and distribution of groceries to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. This experience reinforced the importance of compassion, teamwork, and efficient organization when supporting vulnerable populations. I also helped spearhead an initiative to clean underserved community centers in Winnipeg. Through these regular service initiatives, I developed strong organizational and collaborative skills while working with dedicated volunteers. This program helped maintain a safe and welcoming environment for community members who rely on these shared spaces and showed me how meaningful collective efforts can be in supporting the community. If elected VP Philanthropy, my goal will be to make it easy and rewarding for medical students to get involved in charitable initiatives. I hope to continue the strong tradition set by our current VP Philanthropy by supporting fun and meaningful initiatives like the monthly charity fitness series and, of course, our class charity! Ultimately, I want philanthropy within our class to be something everyone feels proud and excited to participate in. Our commitment to serving others begins long before we step into the hospital, and even small initiatives can make a meaningful impact in our community. It would be a privilege to serve as your VP Philanthropy and help create opportunities for us all to get involved in meaningful experiences that resonate with us throughout our med school journey! Mirette Edward 😊
Daniel Bersyniow-Naane
Volunteering has always meant more to me than simply giving back. It is about building meaningful connections with the community while creating experiences that are engaging, memorable, and impactful. Through my experiences organizing volunteer initiatives and community events, I have seen how powerful these experiences can be in bringing people together while supporting important causes. As future physicians, we have a unique opportunity not only to care for our communities but also to actively serve them. As VP Philanthropy, I want to create opportunities that allow medical students to make a meaningful impact while building a strong sense of community within our class. My vision for this role focuses on three key priorities: engaging fundraising events, strong community partnerships, and accessible volunteer opportunities for all students. Engaging Fundraising Events: I want to introduce exciting initiatives that bring medical students together while supporting important causes. One event I would love to organize is a medical student team for 24h Tremblant, an inspiring event that raises funds for children’s hospitals while building incredible team spirit. I would also work to organize a strong student team for the Ottawa Fire Truck Pull. Events like these not only support meaningful causes but also create memorable experiences that strengthen connections within our medical school. Strong Community Partnerships: Philanthropy should also provide opportunities to engage directly with the communities we serve. I hope to strengthen collaborations with organizations such as the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, where students could support important initiatives while learning from patients, families, and healthcare teams. I would also work to connect students with organizations like Just For Kicks Ottawa, which provides youth with disabilities the opportunity to participate in inclusive soccer programs. Opportunities like these allow students to stay active while contributing to programs that make a real difference in people’s lives. Accessible Opportunities for All Students: I recognize that time is one of the most valuable resources for medical students. With busy and often unpredictable schedules, volunteer opportunities must be flexible and accessible. As VP Philanthropy, I will work to offer a range of opportunities, from short one-time events to longer-term initiatives, so that every student can find a meaningful way to get involved regardless of their schedule. I would also introduce a Volunteer Recognition Program to celebrate the incredible commitment of our classmates. Students who contribute a certain number of volunteer hours throughout the semester would receive recognition for their dedication. This initiative would highlight the impact students are already making while encouraging a strong culture of service within our medical school. Ultimately, my goal as VP Philanthropy is to create opportunities that bring students together while supporting causes that matter to our community. By combining teamwork, compassion, and service, we can build a philanthropy program that reflects the values that define us as future physicians.