Dr. Mutiat Sulyman (left) and Dr. Sanjana Sridharan (right), facilitators of the “Sharing Our Journeys into Practice in Nova Scotia” session of the Welcome Collaborative. They sat down with the program’s Director, Kris Lane, to discuss their experiences as physicians in Nova Scotia.

Kris Lane: Thank you, Dr. Sridharan and Dr. Sulyman, for joining me today. Dr. Sulyman, what made you decide to practice in Nova Scotia?

Dr. Sulyman: Thank you so much, Kris, for having us. I get asked that question a lot. The main reason I came was for family reasons. My husband had been in Canada for four years before I joined. My husband told me that wherever you get a job, I’m just going to move there. So, when I got offered the position at Dalhousie Department of Psychiatry, I relocated with my children.

Kris Lane: Dr. Sridharan, what was your biggest surprise about Nova Scotia when you moved here?

Dr. Sridharan: I would say my predominant reason for agreeing to move here was how nice the patients were treating the doctors. For the first time, I felt pride in being a physician because I always felt that was a bad thing before. It was like being valued. I think that is huge.

We impulsively made the decision because I thought that this is where I want to retire, and this is where I want to live. I still feel that way.

Kris Lane: Why do you think the Welcome Collaborative is important to physicians coming into Nova Scotia who have been trained outside Canada?

Dr. Sulyman: Honestly, I think when I compare my own experience of when I came to Nova Scotia and the participants of the Welcome Collaborative, I always think, I wish this program was available for me when I got here.

The way we were welcomed had a lasting impact on me. Your first experience goes a long way. So, I think the College taking the leadership and coming up with this initiative of the Welcome Collaborative gives people an excellent first impression.

Kris Lane: Dr. Sridharan, what’s your favorite part about presenting in the Welcome Collaborative?

Dr. Sridharan: I think for me it’s seeing all the enthusiastic faces. It takes me back to those days when you’re so excited to be in a new place, so you pick up on all that positive energy.

I think when doctors meet and network, that is going to be the future, otherwise, you are very isolated. The Welcome Collaborative is a great networking opportunity, and it makes you feel like you belong. I don’t think any of my friends working in other parts of Canada have similar experiences. I think this is the future to retain physicians.

Kris Lane: Dr. Sulyman, if our participants take one thing away from your presentation, what would you want that to be?

Dr. Sulyman: What I would want them to take away from my presentation is that human beings are genuinely kind. I would want them to take away that they belong in Nova Scotia and that they will find their paths.

(This interview is an excerpt from a longer video interview that is currently being produced.)