As an honours science co-op student at the University of Waterloo, I have worked full-time at the Surgical Skills Centre for four 4-month work terms.

My role at the SSC has involved a broad range of activities, from filming and editing core-curriculum training videos to contributing to the ongoing research, offering me valuable insight into the research world and a number of medical professions.

Most significantly, working at the SSC opened the door to an unforgettable two months I spent in Ethiopia.

I lived and volunteered at the Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, where I worked with a team of surgeons and nurses in the early development of their surgical training lab. After introducing the concept of surgical lab training through a series of short presentations, I worked with both the Addis and Toronto teams in preparing a miniature Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills for the surgical residents at Addis Ababa University. This exam was a success in collecting data on resident performance and introducing this type of evaluation to the surgical residents and staff.

Beyond the lab project, I spent time in the operating room and was exposed to a wide range of unfamiliar surgical cases. The wards were the saddest and most memorable part of my time at the Black Lion Hospital, especially the personal interactions I had with patients and their families.

During my stay in Ethiopia, I formed a number of unique and lasting relationships.

Overall, volunteering in Ethiopia provided invaluable personal growth and the team at the Surgical Skills Centre play an integral role in my learning experience.