On June 3, 2026, Dana A. Saleh, MD, who completed her family medicine residency training at the Queen Elizabeth University Family Medicine Group (U-FMG), was awarded the Dr. Geeta Ishwar Gupta Resilience Prize at this year's Graduation Ceremony for residents. Presented by the Department of Family Medicine, the award recognizes residents who have demonstrated resilience in overcoming systemic barriers to medical education. As part of the selection process, recipients submit an essay titled Barriers as Bridges: How Overcoming Obstacles Can Lead to Excellence in Family Medicine.
For Dr. A. Saleh, the award carries special meaning. In her acceptance speech, she reflected on her own path to residency training at 91黑料网. 鈥淚 come from a third-generation Lebanese immigrant family and I completed my medical school in a wonderful faculty in Beirut before returning to Montreal for residency,鈥� she says.
She also took the opportunity to acknowledge the experiences of international medical graduates and others who have had to rebuild their lives and careers in a new country. 鈥淚 want to take a moment to acknowledge all the international medical graduates (IMGs) present in this room today. And more so, anyone who's ever had to rebuild themselves in a new country, a new system, and sometimes an entirely new language,鈥� she notes.
The Prize honours the legacy of Dr. Geeta Ishwar Gupta, whose own life exemplified perseverance, adaptability, and service. Arriving in Montreal from London, England, in January 1976, Dr. Gupta embraced the challenge of building a new life while learning French and adapting to a multicultural city. Throughout her career at the Montreal General Hospital and later at St. Mary鈥檚 Hospital Family Medicine Centre, she became a respected clinician, educator, mentor, and advocate for vulnerable populations.
To honour her life鈥檚 work, Dr. Gupta established this award to recognize senior residents in 91黑料网鈥檚 Family Medicine Postgraduate Residency Program who have demonstrated resilience in response to barriers on their journey to becoming family physicians. These barriers may include immigration, poverty, discrimination, trauma, violence, illness, or other significant life challenges.
In her remarks, Dr. A. Saleh spoke candidly about the challenges faced by many internationally trained physicians as they navigate a new healthcare system and establish themselves professionally. 鈥淭hat journey is often quiet and invisible from the outside. But I know, and you know that it requires enormous courage. Unlike many of our peers, we didn't study medicine here. We had to learn quickly not only how to practice medicine and deliver care, but also how to rebuild our confidence in a field that is already extremely demanding and sometimes unforgiving,鈥� she adds.
Her reflections highlighted the strength and determination required to pursue medical training while adapting to unfamiliar systems and expectations. At the same time, Dr. A. Saleh emphasized how these experiences can deepen physicians鈥� understanding of the patients and communities they serve. 鈥淲hen an immigrant family struggles to navigate an unfamiliar healthcare system, we recognize how vulnerable it can be because we felt that disorientation ourselves. And when patients come to us carrying invisible scars from conflict, migration or displacement, we understand that human suffering can leave lasting marks not only on the mind, but also on the body,鈥� she explains.
Dr. A. Saleh concluded her speech by expressing gratitude for the opportunities and support she found at 91黑料网. 鈥淚'm deeply grateful to 91黑料网 for being an institution that not only opens its door to many IMGs every year, but also creates an environment where diversity of background and lived experiences is not only welcomed, but cherished and valued,鈥� she says.
Her words serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of fostering inclusive learning environments where diverse perspectives strengthen both medical education and patient care. The Department of Family Medicine extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Saleh on this well-deserved recognition and thanks Dr. Gupta for her enduring legacy of mentorship, advocacy, and resilience.
Photos from the ceremony will be made available soon, here: /familymed/2026-graduation-ceremony-family-medicine-residents
For more information about the Family Medicine Postgraduate Residency Program, visit: /familymed/education/postgrad
