Eight St. George’s University School of Medicine students and grads learned where they would begin their careers as MDs in the 2025 Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS) R-1 Main Residency Match. They will begin their next chapters of training in Canada this summer.
“We are thrilled to share in the excitement of SGU graduates who have matched in Canada and now have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of practicing medicine on home soil,” said Jibran Vahidy, SGU director of admissions and partnerships—Canada. “These students have worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements.”
Among the newly matched students and grads, seven will go into family medicine and one into obstetrics and gynecology in Ontario and British Columbia. The future residents will be entering the Canadian healthcare system as the country faces primary care physician shortages. More SGU students are expected to earn residency positions in the second CaRMS iteration on April 17. These matches will add to the more than 200 SGU graduates to secure Canadian residencies.*
Claudia Nieuwland, MD ’25 (expected), who hails from Barrie, Ontario, matched into family medicine at Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) at the North Bay training site.
“The moment I matched was so surreal,” Claudia said. “I was beyond excited, happy, relieved, and proud of myself!”
Claudia is looking forward to receiving training in her chosen specialty, particularly in Northern Ontario, where she anticipates the unique and diverse scope of practice will provide invaluable learning opportunities. She expressed that she is also eager to explore her specific interests within family medicine, including women’s health and primary care dermatology, areas she is passionate about developing further in her career.
Christopher Haddad, MD ’25, who graduated this past January, is a future family medicine physician who matched at Toronto Metropolitan University. A proud resident of Brampton, Ontario, Dr. Haddad said that he was beyond ecstatic to learn that he would be training in his hometown.
“I am excited to give back to a community that means so much to me, and I am committed to contributing to the growth and inclusiveness of the Peel Region,” Dr. Haddad shared. “I am also looking forward to creating long lasting connections with not only my patients, but my co-residents, who will be my colleagues in the future. I am dedicated to helping achieve this vision through compassionate care and community leadership as a future family physician.”
Dr. Haddad’s choice of specialty stems from his family’s experiences navigating the Canadian healthcare system as immigrants from Lebanon. It was challenging for them to find a family physician who spoke Arabic and understood the medical and non-medical needs of immigrants. Passionate about delivering culturally competent care, Dr. Haddad felt compelled to pursue family medicine.
“Witnessing this gap in the healthcare system inspired me to pursue family medicine—a specialty where I could build lifelong relationships with patients, advocate for healthcare accessibility, and foster trust through compassionate leadership,” Dr. Haddad said.
Ziyaana Kabani, MD ’25 (expected), originally from Vancouver, BC, matched into family medicine at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, BC.
“My reaction when I matched into Canadian residency was a mix of emotions. At first, I was in complete shock and disbelief—it almost didn’t feel real but at the same time, I was overjoyed and incredibly relieved,” Ziyaana said of the experience. “All the hard work, sacrifices, and long hours have finally paid off. It was amazing to match into my number one choice, and even more so that it was in my home city. I’m beyond thankful for the opportunity to continue my journey at home.”
Choosing her specialty was a journey in itself for Ziyaana who said that she was unsure of which to pursue going into her clinical rotations. As she completed her rotations, she made an effort to envision herself in each specialty. Family medicine and emergency medicine quickly emerged as her two favorite rotations.
“I loved them both so much that it was hard to choose between the two,” Ziyaana said. “Thankfully, through the residency program in Canada, I found a unique opportunity to become dual board-certified—combining a residency in family medicine with a fellowship in emergency medicine. I’m incredibly grateful for this chance, as it means I don’t have to choose between my two passions and can practice both for the rest of my career.”
Looking towards residency, Ziyaana said she is most excited to become a fully autonomous doctor. “I can’t wait to gain the confidence and skills to help patients on my own and make meaningful contributions to their care,” she said.
For more residency listings, visit the SGU 2025 residency listing page.
* Data as of October 2024.
