What motivated you to pursue a graduate degree at UPEI? Why did you choose to study here?

I live in Stratford, grew up on the Island, and wanted to be in a place where my research could give back to the community. I’ve had excellent experiences at both UPEI (I graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology) and Health PEI, so pursuing a Master’s degree that allowed me to work with both of these organizations was a significant motivator. UPEI has a super tight-knit community, including faculty, staff, and students, and remaining a part of this great community was an important reason I decided to stay.

What is your research focused on, and what impact do you expect it to have on society?

My research focuses on patient flow management, which involves understanding and mapping the flow of patients through the health-care system. The project aims to help create a resilient patient bed-flow framework for Prince Edward Island (PEI). The results will hopefully inform changes to the system, helping to optimize resource utilization and making health care more accessible to Islanders. My prior work at Health PEI, which included helping to lead a same-day hip surgery discharge program, has always aimed to increase accessibility to health care, and is something I strive for every day. With the majority of my family and friends on the Island, this is extremely important to me, and I hope my project can help improve the experience for patients and providers alike.
 

How did you decide on your research topic or area of focus, and what about it excites you most?

I worked at Health PEI as a process improvement analyst for the last two years of my undergraduate degree—part-time during the school year and full-time in the summer. I was always interested in health care, but working in this role exposed me to the inner workings of our health-care system, which I have come to find just as interesting as the actual patient care. Implementing programs and initiatives to refine the scope of workloads, address patient population needs, and optimize resource utilization, thereby improving the health-care system, was particularly interesting during my time at Health PEI. This patient flow research is enabling me to continue this work to benefit Islanders. Working with a great team at Health PEI is what excites me about continuing this work every day.

"My research focuses on patient flow management, which involves understanding and mapping the flow of patients through the health-care system. The project aims to help create a resilient patient bed-flow framework for Prince Edward Island (PEI). The results will hopefully inform changes to the system, helping to optimize resource utilization and making health care more accessible to Islanders."

Describe the support you received during your time here from UPEI students, staff, and faculty members.

I have been significantly supported by my supervisor, Dr. William Montelpare, as well as the rest of my committee, Dr. Margie Burns and Dr. Michael MacLellan. They consistently provide excellent feedback on my ideas and are always willing to go the extra mile to assist me with my research. I have made some of my best friends at UPEI, including my girlfriend of two years, my four roommates, and many, many more—so I cannot speak highly enough of the friendships and connections you will make on campus. UPEI staff are always happy to help in any way they can, and have been super accommodating to me throughout my years here. As for faculty and staff, Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon, Dr. Rebecca Mok, and everyone at Research Services have been an excellent source of support. Additionally, those in the Student Union have supported me as a student, councillor, and chair.

What co-curricular and extracurricular activities have you been involved with at UPEI, and how have these enriched your time at UPEI?

I have served as the chair of the UPEI Student Union and founded the UPEI Public Health Society, which recently won a Clubs Cup award. Being chair of the UPEISU was a fantastic experience that helped me grow into more of a leadership role and become someone comfortable speaking with many people, which I have come to learn is extremely valuable in research. The UPEI Public Health Society led and directed health-related events on campus throughout the year, most notably collaborating with UPEI Gives Blood to collect over 70 stem cell samples on campus. During my undergraduate degree, I was a student councillor, student senator, and graduate class president in 2024. I also hosted a student-led podcast, 121 Credits, which taught me a great deal about what’s happening within the campus community.

What makes your program, UPEI, and Prince Edward Island unique in your experience?

My program is unique in that I’m able to connect with people also taking the MAHSR program at UNB, SMU, and MUN, exchanging ideas and gaining a deeper understanding of other health-care systems. UPEI is unique in that the school both feels huge and very small at the same time. I’m often stopped on campus talking to people I know; but at the same time, there’s so much going on that I feel like I don’t know about. It was a pleasant, connected, and home-like experience, even with all the ongoing activities throughout the campus. As for PEI, it is unique in that it both celebrates PEI’s history, including the Mi'kmaw, Acadian, and other cultures, as well as embraces the diverse cultures of people from all over the world. PEI has some of the most welcoming people in the world, and I don’t think there’s anywhere else I’d rather be.
 

How did graduate school shape your career goals or ambitions?

I knew this program was right for me based on my interests, but it has opened up so many doors I didn’t even know existed. I’m still trying to determine what I want to do after graduation. Ideally, I would like to continue my research through a PhD, hopefully returning to work at Health PEI or UPEI someday to contribute to the health-care system and raise a family on the Island. Graduate school teaches so much more than just facts and knowledge; it also imparts skills and insights that are applicable in the real world, and has exposed me to all the opportunities available after graduation.

What skills or knowledge did you gain during your studies that you feel will be most beneficial in your career?

Critical thinking and critical reading have been the two skills I have developed the most throughout this program. Being able to absorb a great deal of literature and conversations and transform them into productive thoughts, rather than merely regurgitating what I’ve read, has been a skill I’ve developed significantly while here. Through my coursework, my knowledge of statistics, economics, and health-care frameworks has increased dramatically, and I now feel much more confident when addressing health-care issues.

What advice would you give to new UPEI graduate students?

Get involved with the UPEI community in some way! Many talented, insightful, and friendly people on campus are doing exciting things, and they are always eager to share their knowledge. Take time for yourself to get your work done, but also don’t be afraid to explore what UPEI and Prince Edward Island have to offer.