Faces of U of T Medicine: Ali Damji
Medical student Ali Damji in front of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington DC.
Leadership is a defining quality of Ali Damji. The second year medical student is part of the Faculty of Medicine’s LEAD program and is active in medical student advocacy. He serves on the Executive Board of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students and the Ontario Medical Students Association. Among his latest activities is trying to expand the concept of diversity through the American Association of Medical Colleges. We spoke to him about how costs can limit diversity in medicine.
Name: Ali Damji
Program/year: Medicine, Second Year
Role/position: Vice President of External Affairs, U of T Medical Society; LEAD Scholar, Faculty of Medicine; Executive Member of Ontario Medical Students Association; Ontario Regional Representative, Canadian Federation of Medical Students Executive.
Tell us about your work to increase diversity and access to medical school.
This all started out when I went to the American Association of Medical Colleges Annual Meeting to represent the U of T medical student community at the Organization of Student Representatives Meeting in Chicago. While at that meeting, medical student colleagues from the United States indicated concerns regarding diversity in medical school — namely, that people from lower socioeconomic populations face disproportionate challenges in accessing medical education. These barriers include admissions criteria that require significant financial investment — such as application fees and MCAT preparation — tuition, and limited access to mentors to guide interested prospective students into careers in medicine.
From my work on the CFMS Executive, I was aware that similar conversations were occurring in Canada within the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada and at the University of Toronto. A study of the MCAT that will soon be published found its associated financial cost and its important role in admissions can limit the accessibility of medical school to lower socioeconomic populations. After I voiced these similar Canadian concerns, a group of delegates and I decided to work together on a position paper for the AAMC, which aims to revise the definition of diversity in medical education to include socioeconomic diversity. We also recommend changes within medical education to promote the accessibility of medical education in Canadian and American medical schools. In both countries, and across the world, we need healthcare providers that are innately aware of the needs of their populations. Without representation in these professions from members of lower socioeconomic groups who can best understand the needs of these populations, we will not be able to provide the best possible care to the most vulnerable members of society. This paper hopes to serve as a call to action on this vital issue.
What do you find most exciting about your work?
Nothing excites me more than the opportunity to work with student leaders in medical education across the country and abroad. While working from across a border does come with inherent challenges and communication barriers, I am very excited by the potential for this project. It could truly create a healthier and more inclusive culture in medical education and ultimately, a healthier society for all patients.
What do you hope to accomplish?
Our hope is for this paper to be completed within the next year and eventually ratified by the Organization of Student Representative and the AAMC as an official policy on promoting diversity, inclusivity and accessibility within medical education. It can’t just stop there though. I wish to see this policy implemented in medical education both in the United States and Canada, and for medical schools to take a critical look at how we can improve diversity within the classroom and the physician workforce, and take concerted action to address this issue. My hope is that one day in the near future we have medical school classes that truly reflect the vast and incredibly valuable diversity that exists within the population we serve. In turn, these medical schools can train the next generation of compassionate caring physicians that are acutely aware of and in tune with population needs.
How do you think your work will impact your career as a physician?
I am really interested in physician leadership, advocacy and education. This work represents an intersection of those domains. I hope to maintain this interest and further develop it throughout my career and currently envision myself balancing a clinical practice with these other roles in my future.
What's your favourite thing about the Faculty of Medicine?
The Faculty of Medicine has afforded me immense opportunities to make new connections with leaders across the healthcare sector, and at medical schools in Canada and around the world. I feel very fortunate to be a University of Toronto medical student. There is an incredible network here. If you have an idea and passion, this place will do everything to make that dream a reality. I am truly thankful for that immense support and mentorship from the faculty, my classmates and friends, and my community. They all have truly empowered me to develop as a leader and tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
Faces of U of T Medicine introduces you to some of the interesting men and women studying in the Faculty of Medicine. From advising political leaders to providing care to Toronto’s most vulnerable populations, our students are making an impact on communities at home and around the world. Do you have an interesting story to share? Send us an email atmedicine.communications@utoronto.ca.
