Message from Dr. Chantal Phillips, President of the Black Resident Physicians of Canada

PGY3 - Public Health & Preventive Medicine in Ottawa

Dr. Chantal Phillips is a public health resident at the University of Ottawa and a locum family physician practicing in Ontario and New Brunswick. Passionate about health equity and Black health, she centers these principles in both her clinical practice and advocacy work. She serves as President of the Black Resident Physicians of Canada (BRPC), a role she has held since January 2024. Previously serving as President of the Black Resident Physicians of Ontario (BRPO) and lead of the Black Physicians of Canada (BPC) residents and fellows committee, Dr. Phillips recognized an opportunity for strategic collaboration. In July 2025, she facilitated the merger of these two committees into the unified BRPC. Through this leadership, she has strengthened the organization's infrastructure and expanded its initiatives supporting trainee connection, wellness, and professional development across Canada. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, experimenting with coffee, listening to podcasts, and exploring the outdoors. 

PGY2 - Internal Medicine in Toronto

Dr. Julianah Oguntala is an Internal Medicine Resident at the University of Toronto. She completed medical school at the University of Toronto and, during this time, served as the Chair of the Black Medical Students of Canada (BMSAC). Through the BMSAC, she was able to support Black medical students by advocating at the UGME level and with the AFMC. Through the BRPO, she is excited to continue this work, supporting residents and building a strong community for Black residents. 

PGY3 - Internal Medicine in Toronto

Dr. Petra Famiyeh is a third-year resident in Internal Medicine at the University of Toronto. The Black medical community has played an integral role in her medical journey through mentorship and friendship. This experience has motivated her involvement with the Black Resident Physicians of Ontario (BRPO) as chapter lead since beginning residency. 

She is interested in Rheumatology and Oncology and their intersection. She plans to pursue a career as a clinician-investigator, splitting time between patient work and research focused on the illness experience of Black women.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her many nieces and nephews, knitting, and experimenting with makeup.

Fellow - Paediatric Hematology in Toronto

Dr. Jodie Odame is a senior clinical Hematology fellow at SickKids in Toronto. She holds a Bachelor of Medical Sciences from Western University and a Master of Science in Physiology from the University of Toronto. After completing medical training at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, she pursued General Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Dr. Odame focuses on hemoglobinopathies, particularly sickle cell disease (SCD), and is dedicated to improving care transitions for adolescents and young adults facing systemic challenges. Currently working toward a Master's in Health Systems Leadership and Innovation, she aims to advocate for better SCD policies and support.

Fellow - Family Medicine + Oncology in London

Dr. Joanna Walters is an internationally trained physician originally from Jamaica. She completed her Family Medicine training at Western University and is currently doing a fellowship in GP Oncology. She has a keen interest in chronic disease management, health advocacy, and policy.  Contributing to the work towards more equitable health care is a very important part of what she hopes to achieve in her career in medicine. She is looking forward to working with all the members of BRPC in the role of VP Advocacy.

PGY4 - Public Health & Preventive Medicine in Hamilton

Dr. Tami is a family physician and current public health resident at McMaster University. Passionate about health equity and wellness, she serves as Vice President of Wellness for the Black Resident Physicians of Canada (BRPC). Dr. Tami is committed to addressing systemic health disparities and champions initiatives that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion. She continually seeks opportunities to deepen her expertise in delivering compassionate, equitable patient care.

Outside of her clinical and advocacy work, Dr. Tami prioritizes personal wellness, experimenting with new recipes, attending wellness events, and organizing community initiatives. She also loves traveling, exploring new cuisines, and spending quality time with friends and family.

PGY4 - Psychiatry in Hamilton

Dr. Madojemu is a resident physician in Psychiatry at McMaster University. She holds a medical degree from the University of Saskatchewan and a Master of Public Health from Memorial University, NL.

Deeply committed to community service, Dr. Madojemu actively supports Black and marginalized communities through various leadership and volunteer roles. She has served as President of the Black Medical Students Association SK and President of the Canadian Alliance of Medical Students Against Human Trafficking. Her dedication extends to immigrant and refugee health, youth, and family support as a board member for Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation Inc. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for Grants at STEMHub Foundation, to provide access to STEM programs for underserved populations in Ontario.

She enjoys being aunty to many non-bio nieces and nephews, traveling, and binging on Nollywood.

PGY4 - OBGYN in Toronto

Dr. Adeolu Banjoko is a PGY4 resident in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. She has subspecialty interests in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Her passions include advocacy and representation in medicine. She is a member of the University of Toronto OBGYN Advocacy Committee and co-founded We Are Medics, a social media platform aiming to support and uplift medicine applicants from underrepresented backgrounds. She has been a member of BPAO and BPC since 2022 and joined the BRPO Leadership Team in 2025. 

PGY1 - Pediatrics in Toronto

Dr. Jemeela Thomas is a PGY1 Pediatrics resident at Toronto Metropolitan University with a strong passion for health equity, mentorship, and community engagement. She is committed to advancing initiatives that support Black trainees across all stages of their medical journey. Jemeela brings experience in advocacy, youth outreach, and medical education, and is especially focused on strengthening support systems for early learners. Through BRPO, she hopes to foster a collaborative environment that uplifts and empowers Black physicians across Ontario. Outside of clinical duties, Jemeela finds joy through building community, storytelling, and movement.

Global Pediatric Surgery Fellow in Montreal

Sacha Williams is a Global Pediatric Surgery Fellow and PhD candidate at McGill University. Focusing largely on children’s surgical care, her work explores the impact of determinants of health on surgical access and postoperative outcomes. Sacha has presented her research at

numerous national/international conferences and published in peer-reviewed academic journals. She sits on the executive boards of two national organizations. Sacha holds a Medical Doctorate, a Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health, and a Master of Science in Biotechnology. She is strongly committed to health equity, social justice, and serving vulnerable communities.

PGY1 - Diagnostic Radiology in St. John's

Dr. Dourra Assani is a Diagnostic Radiology Resident at Memorial University of Newfoundland. During her medical studies, she was an executive of her school’s BMSA chapter, an active member of the Black medical student association, and contributed to the planning of the BMSAC AGM in her last year. She is passionate about mentorship for black students and an advocate for access to educational support for students from minority groups.

She chose to get involved with BRPC because having a Black community in medical school was instrumental in fostering her sense of belonging and helping her connect with mentors. 

Outside of her clinical duties, she enjoys cooking, hosting dinner parties with friends and family, watching Marvel movies and TV shows, and swimming. 

PGY1 - Radiation Oncology in Kingston, ON

Dr. Giselle Tucker Belliveau is a resident physician in Radiation Oncology at Queen's University. She holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Nuclear Medicine from the University of New Brunswick, a Master of Health Studies with a focus in Leadership from Athabasca University, and completed her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Alberta.

Giselle is passionate about healthcare leadership and advocacy across various platforms which has been demonstrated through her previous involvement with the executive team of her local Black Medical Students’ Association (BMSA), on the research committee within the Black Medical Students of Canada (BMSAC), as a student board member of the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) and as the medical student liaison to the Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta (PARA).