Candidats - Outaouais Elections Fall 2025

3 key points

1. Holistic & Inclusive Global Health: Expand our definition of health to include social, political, and environmental determinants, with the goal of achieving equity and solidarity among all communities.
2. Student Engagement & Leadership: Actively involve students in projects, workshops, and advocacy, while creating opportunities for them to take leadership roles locally, nationally, and internationally.
3.  Collaboration & Transparency: Enhance support and communication with the Faculty, McGill Global Health Programs, and external organizations, while fostering open and accessible dialogue for all students.

Hello everyone, my name is Jihane Ridaoui, and I’m running for VP Global Health Quebec this year! 😉

To me, global health is about equity, solidarity, and making sure that every community, local or international, has a voice in medicine.  As future physicians, our responsibility doesn’t stop at the clinic door. Every day we’ll see how factors like poverty, access to care, migration, environment, and policy shape our patients’ health. Understanding and addressing these realities enables us to offer patient-centered care rather than condition-centered and ultimately become better doctors for the people we serve.

If elected, I will act as a bridge between the MSS and the Faculty of Medicine, making sure your concerns and ideas on public and global health are represented. I’ll also take responsibility for overseeing our Society’s global health projects and ensure they continue to grow. Finally, I plan to strengthen collaboration with McGill Global Health Programs so that we can be part of large-scale initiatives that truly make an impact.

This is what I will focus on:

• Holistic – Promote a broad view of health that includes social, political, and environmental determinants, not just diseases
• Engagement – Actively involve students in global and local initiatives through projects, workshops, and campaigns.
• Advocacy – Represent student voices in discussions with the MSS, Faculty, and national/global organizations.
• Leadership – Create opportunities for McGill students to lead in IFMSA-Qc, CFMS-GH, and international conversations.
• Transparency – Keep communication open through newsletters, social media, and regular updates so everyone stays informed.
• Harmony – Strengthen collaboration between MSS Global Health, McGill Global Health Programs, and community partners to amplify impact.

I am committed to make global health not only a priority, but also a platform where every student can get involved and feel empowered. I’d be honored to have your support in making this vision a reality. Together, let’s be the generation of medical students who don’t just study health, but shape it.

3 key points

1. Promote and Share Opportunities: Leveraging my experience and network in global health, I will actively seek out and share opportunities—such as research positions, internships, and conferences—that align with members’ interests and goals. 
2. Support Global Health Projects: I will provide guidance and mentorship for global health special projects, helping students navigate project development to ensure their work is impactful, equitable, and aligned with current global health priorities.
3. Advocate for Equity and Inclusion: I am committed to ensuring that all global health initiatives are rooted in equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment where every member feels empowered to contribute to meaningful change.

Who I Am & What I Bring

My name is Ramiya Veluppillai and I am honoured to be running for VP Global Health Quebec. Coming from a South Asian background, I grew up aware of the barriers that many communities face in accessing healthcare. This perspective, along with my involvement in advocacy and community initiatives, has shaped my belief that medicine is as much about equity and justice as it is about biology.

I completed a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a Master of Science in Experimental Medicine, where my research focused on disparities in healthcare. This work strengthened my understanding of systemic inequities and motivated me to pursue leadership opportunities that promote health equity.

Beyond the classroom, I co-founded C-Abili-T, a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging healthcare gaps for children with special needs in the South Asian community. Through this role, I learned the importance of collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and advocacy in creating sustainable solutions.

I also bring the perspective of a competitive figure skater and coach, where I developed leadership, teamwork, and mentorship skills. Coaching taught me patience, adaptability, and how to empower others — qualities I carry into every leadership role.

Together, these experiences have prepared me to serve as VP Global Health Quebec with compassion, collaboration, and a deep passion for advancing equity. I am committed to fully embracing the responsibilities of this role — co-chairing the MSS Global Health Committee, collaborating closely with IFMSA-Qc and CFMS-GH, and serving as a strong liaison between our class, the MSS, and McGill Global Health Programs.

Vision Statement

My vision is to ensure that global health feels accessible and relevant to every medical student. I want to foster opportunities for engagement — whether through advocacy, research, or community outreach — and strengthen partnerships that connect our work at McGill to broader provincial, national, and international initiatives.

Ultimately, I want to ensure that global health is not seen as distant, but as something directly connected to our patients, our communities, and our responsibilities as future physicians.

Key Priorities & Goals

• Student Engagement & Accessibility
  • Promote opportunities in advocacy, research, and community outreach so all students can find a meaningful entry point into global health.
  • Ensure communication is clear and accessible through newsletters, social media, and class updates.
• Collaboration & Partnerships
  • Work closely with IFMSA-Qc, CFMS-GH, and McGill Global Health Programs to amplify student voices and connect our class with broader initiatives.
  • Strengthen ties with local community organizations, particularly those addressing health disparities in Montreal.
• Advocacy & Equity
  • Champion initiatives focused on Indigenous health, migrant and refugee health, and the health impacts of climate change.
  • Create spaces for dialogue and reflection on the role of medical students in promoting health equity at both local and global levels.

Specific Initiatives & Promises

If elected, I commit to:

• Launching a Monthly Global Health Spotlight to highlight opportunities, campaigns, and student projects.
• Collaborating with officers to organize advocacy campaigns and awareness events on issues such as refugee health, climate justice, and healthcare accessibility.
• Developing partnerships with local organizations to create service and learning opportunities that directly impact marginalized populations in Montreal.
• Working with MSS and McGill Global Health Programs to support student attendance at national and international conferences, ensuring our class is represented.

Leadership Style

I lead with inclusivity, empathy, and collaboration. I value listening to diverse perspectives and amplifying the voices of others. My academic and community experiences — from research in healthcare disparities to co-founding a non-profit organization — have reinforced the importance of leading with compassion, adaptability, and integrity.

Closing Statement

Global health has always been more than an academic interest for me — it is a personal commitment rooted in my background and strengthened by my work in research, advocacy, and community engagement. As VP Global Health Quebec, I will work to ensure that our class has access to meaningful opportunities, that our voices are represented on the provincial and national stage, and that our efforts have tangible impact both locally and globally.

I would be honoured to serve as your VP Global Health Quebec and to represent our class with passion, collaboration, and integrity. In this position, I will uphold the mandate of the role by working in close partnership with IFMSA-Qc, CFMS-GH, the MSS, and our Faculty to ensure that our collective efforts in global health are both impactful and sustainable.

— Ramiya Veluppillai

3 key points

1. Être à l’écoute des besoins et des préoccupations des étudiants
2. Agir en tant qu’intermédiaire pour représenter adéquatement les étudiants au sein de la faculté de médecine
3. Promouvoir une communication ouverte et transparente

Je m’engage à défendre les intérêts de ma cohorte en prenant les mesures nécessaires pour que vos voix soient entendues et que vos opinions soient considérées. Je serai le point de liaison entre les élèves et la Faculté de médecine. D’ailleurs, toutes les décisions et discussions importantes seront partagées avec vous afin d’encourager des conversations ouvertes et transparentes. Être en médecine vient avec ses propres difficultés, alors il est important que vous ayez quelqu’un qui pousse pour votre bien-être.

Three key points

1. Collaborer avec Montréal afin d’avoir accès à un maximum de ressources en anglais et en français
2. Faciliter la communication entre les étudiants et la faculté afin d’améliorer le programme
3. Promouvoir les activités académiques qui vous permettront de consolider votre étude

Je veux m’assurer que nous avons tous les ressources nécessaires pour réussir notre année et défendre les intérêts de mes collègues. Je serai la voix de notre classe afin de donner des commentaires à la faculté pour améliorer le curriculum et maximiser le succès académique des étudiants. Je serai toujours disponible et à l’écoute de vos besoins pour qu’on puisse passer une bonne année ensemble!

3 key points

1. Build a strong, supportive community: Foster connections within the small Outaouais cohort through inclusive events, group volunteering, and collaboration both inside and outside the classroom
2. Create fun and meaningful experiences: Organize diverse activities (hikes, ski trips, dinners, yoga, wellness walks, etc.) that balance stress relief with exploration of Gatineau and everything the region has to offer.
3. Ensure accessibility and broader connection: Keep events affordable and inclusive, while also linking the Outaouais campus with the larger McGill Med community through joint events and advocacy.

My name is Lauren Drummond, and I’m running for Med-1 class representative here at McGill’s Outaouais campus. 

As a first year med student, life can feel quite daunting. From staying up to date with lectures, grinding out research or flipping through anki decks, it can be tough to find a work life balance. However, I believe our first year is the perfect time to find a routine where we can work hard, play hard, and build a tight knit community within the Outaouais campus. One of the most exciting parts of being in a cohort of 38 magnificent intelligent individuals is that we have a unique opportunity to really get to know each other and build a strong, supportive community that will carry us through the challenges of medical school. As Class Rep, my goal will be to create spaces where everyone feels welcome, connected, and included—whether you’re looking to make new friends, blow off steam after each bloc, or simply take a break from the non-stop grind. 

As a new resident to Gatineau, I am incredibly excited to see what this region has to offer. And I know many students new to the area may feel the same way. Therefore, as Class Rep I hope to organize events that allow us to explore, engage and enjoy everything that this region has to offer. 

Initiatives as Class Rep: 

● Organizing a plethora of activities such as weekend hikes, ski trips, group dinners, study dates at a local cafe or post exam drinks at a brewery. 

Community Building: 

● Strengthen the bonds within our small cohort by encouraging collaboration and friendship, not just in class but outside it too. 

● Community outreach through group volunteering at non-profits within the Outaouais region.

 Stress-relief and Wellness: 

● Recognize that medical school can be demanding, and make sure we have fun outlets to relax, recharge,
● Creation of events that promote health and wellbeing such as yoga, weekly runs and lunch time walks.

Résumé en trois points

1. Défendre les intérêts du Campus Outaouais au SSMU et au Sénat.
2. Partager clairement les mises à jour importantes avec le conseil general MSS.
3. Valoriser notre réalité unique de campus délocalisé.

Bonjour à toutes et à tous! En tant que grande fan de notre petit mais magnifique campus, je suis ravie de présenter ma candidature pour le poste de représentante du Campus Outaouais au sein du SSMU. Étant donné que nous sommes un campus délocalisé, notre réalité ne reflète pas celle de nos collègues du campus principal de McGill. C’est pourquoi je m’engage à porter nos perspectives et préoccupations lors des prochaines réunions du SSMU et du Sénat afin d’assurer la représentation du CO dans les discussions entourant les politiques académiques, la vie étudiante et les ressources qui nous sont offertes. Je veillerai également à transmettre les mises à jour pertinentes issues des réunions du SSMU et du Sénat afin de renforcer la communication et la transparence entre la faculté et les étudiants. J’ai bien hâte de travailler avec vous cette année!

Résumé en trois points

1. Représentation accrue : Faire entendre et prioriser la voix des étudiant(e)s de l’Outaouais à la MSS.
2. Communauté et bien-être : Renforcer notre sentiment d’appartenance et promouvoir des initiatives de soutien.
3. Collaboration et opportunités : Développer des occasions académiques et parascolaires en créant des ponts avec Montréal et au-delà.

En tant qu’étudiant de première année en médecine, je m’engage à représenter activement notre communauté et à faire entendre la voix des étudiant(e)s de l’Outaouais au sein de la MSS. Mon objectif est de favoriser une meilleure communication, de promouvoir le bien-être étudiant et de créer davantage de ponts avec nos collègues de Montréal et d’ailleurs. Je travaillerai à promouvoir des initiatives axées sur le bien-être, l’accès équitable aux ressources académiques et le développement d’occasions de collaboration inter-campus.