About the Wellness Ambassadors Program

​A SHINE Wellness Ambassador (WA) is a medical student peer who can act as a hub for wellness resources for medical students in preclerkship. WAs have knowledge of resources related to equity, diversity and inclusion, sexual violence prevention and support, campus community safety, accessibility, multi-faith, crisis identification and referral, as well as safeTALK (suicide alertness training). WAs aim to assist you in navigating diverse wellness resources (e.g. physical and mental health, financial, spiritual, environmental).

***Wellness Ambassadors are NOT COUNSELLORS***
WAs are medical students with knowledge of many campus and community wellness resources. Although WAs are able to provide informal peer support, their main focus is on resource navigation.

Identifying information disclosed to a WA will be kept CONFIDENTIAL unless there is a concern that you will harm yourself or others. In this case, the WA must refer you to a crisis line and disclose your name and situation to the Office of Learner Affairs (OLA). OLA will then reach out to you through email for a voluntary check-in.

Access a SHINE Wellness Ambassador For 2022-2023 - ​forms.gle/icAzvbBWPpcqqGVW7

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​Our Wellness Ambassador Leads

Hayley McKee, Anthony Ngyugen, Sunny Raval & ​Javal Sheth

Hayley McKee (2T5) Fun Fact: I try to listen to a new audiobook every month! What keeps me well is spending time with friends and my siblings, whether it be going for hikes, enjoying the sunshine on a patio, playing board games, or walking my dog Simba! Also – anything that makes me laugh keeps me well (and happy!).

Anthony Ngyugen (2T5) Fun fact: I’ve never lost an eating competition … "What keeps me well": Focussing on the good feels that come from wellness habits has really helped me establish routines of exercise and more balanced diets. I used to be so specific about my lifestyle but found the restriction makes it much more difficult to keep up with regular habits. This change to being a bit more kind with myself has also helped me reprioritize what’s important when it comes to wellness and develop more free habits!

Sunny Raval (2T5) Fun fact: Graphic design is one of my hobbies, currently getting into photography. "What keeps me well": Spending time with friends and family, drawing, graphic design, and listening to music.​ :)

Javal Sheth (2T5) Fun fact: I love traveling and try to do one big trip a year. This year I am thinking Europe. "What keeps me well": Rewatching class TV shows (Friends, Office, etc), gym, weekly hangouts with friends and phone calls with family

​Our Wellness Ambassadors

Lara Parlatan, Gaganvir Parmar, Melanie Tan, Matthew Cho, Nikhila (Nikki) Butani, Megan Park, Natalie Chen, Fatima Bah, Kate (Kyurim) Kim, Stuart McKinlay, Sophia Nunes, Wafa Baqri, Raeesha Rajan, Zeel Patel, Leighton Schreyer, Victoria Tran, Catherine Shao, Alison Wu, Kavi Grewal, Marina Batraka & Anglin Dent

Lara Parlatan (2T5) Fun fact: I was 17 and I was working as a swim instructor and lifeguard, and yet the person giving out samples at Costco said I needed parental permission to try a sample, because I needed to be over the age of 13. I was 17 and had a job! Whatever, at least the sample tasted good. "What keeps me well": My family and being active (sports, arts, music)!

Gaganvir Parmar (2T5) Fav Hobby: Mini-Workouts / Watching YouTube Drama (sometimes at the same time) "What keeps me well": I always keep protected time in the evening before bed to stop studying, and decompress with a warm shower, watching YouTube drama, meal prepping, etc... anything but studying!! This really helps my mind relax before bed and makes it easier to sleep!

Melanie Tan (2T5) Fun fact: My fun fact is that I prefer soggy fries over crispy fries "What keeps me well": Some things that keep me well are taking care of my plants, playing volleyball, and taking long hot showers :)

Matthew Cho (2T5) Fun fact: A fun fact about me is that I hate soggy fries. "What keeps me well": I take care of myself by listening to all kinds of music, reading, and writing.

Nikhila (Nikki) Butani (2T6) Fun fact: I was a synchronized skater for 10 years. What keeps me well: Going on nature walks with my dog and watching reality TV.

Megan Park (2T6) Fun fact: I have an official barista certification! What keeps me well: Spending time with family and friends, eating good food, going on long walks, reading and meditating, and watching true crime shows on Netflix!

Natalie Chen (2T6) Fun Fact: my middle and ring fingers are double-jointed haha "What keeps me well": I really enjoy trying new spin/workout classes with my friends! I also love trying new foods and going to restaurants as a way to unwind and explore the city :)

Fatima Bah (2T6) Fun Fact: I love listening to true crime podcasts. Any Rotten Mango fans out there? What Keeps me well: Spending time with loved ones, outdoor activities such as hiking, cooking, and checklists (nothing feels better than crossing something off your to-do list).

Kate (Kyurim) Kim (2T6) A fun fact about me is that I think I fractured my nose playing basketball in grade 5 but didn’t notice it so I never went to the hospital to get it fixed. Now I have a little bump on my nose to remind me of my baller days haha. What keeps me well: I try to prioritize self-care because it is really important for my mental health. I make sure that my days are balanced and make time to do things I enjoy. I like to de-stress by going to the gym and spending time with friends/loved ones. I also love to cook and try new foods!

Stuart McKinlay (2T6) Fun fact: I recently adopted a cat and discovered that there is, in fact, something in this world that enjoys sleep more than me! What keeps you well: Playing my guitar, cheering on the Leafs/Raptors/Jays, watching The Bachelor(ette) with my housemates, enjoying dinner with friends, watching '90s movies, wearing cozy clothes, and consuming copious amounts of coffee!

Sophia Nunes (2T5) Fun fact: The street I grew up on is named after my last name! What keeps me well : Spending time outside with family and friends, dragonboating, and playing soccer.

Wafa Baqri (2T5) Fun Fact: My favourite meal of the day is breakfast—I’m always looking forward to what I’ll eat the next morning. “What keeps me well”: Spending time with friends and family by planning fun activities, not working at night and using that time for myself, and using every sunny day for a walk.

Raeesha Rajan (2T6) Fun fact: After being dairy-free for about 5 years now, I can turn just about any baked-good recipe dairy free! What keeps me well: Spending time outdoors and in nature, staying active with hot yoga and spin, spending time with friends and loved ones & spending time alone too (either reading, napping or journalling)!

Zeel Patel (2T5) Fun fact: I can bend my index finger all the way to the back of my wrist. "What keeps me well": Exercising and playing basketball/volleyball and cooking/baking new recipes!

Leighton Schreyer (2T6) Fun Fact: My cat thinks he’s a parrot – he likes to sit on my shoulder and is always “talking” at me! What keeps me well: Being in nature, going for long walks and hikes, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, reading, writing, knitting and crocheting and being in good company :)

Victoria Tran (2T6) Fun fact: I have a black belt in taekwondo! What keeps me well: playing with my dog and cat (yes, they get along… sometimes!), watching spy and heist movies, baking anything with matcha in it, and taking long walks to explore Toronto!

Kavi Grewal (2T5) Fun fact: My name was featured in an episode of The Simpsons. What keeps me well: Beach volleyball and exercising, trying new restaurants, summer hikes in BC (where I grew up).