A supportive environment and a range of options at York University helped Dr. Sari Herman find the choice that was right for her – becoming a medical doctor.

When she originally enrolled at York, it was to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree, but a more precise path was not clear yet. During her time at York, as she interacted with a number of supportive teachers and mentors, an aspiration to become a physician emerged. York’s on-campus Career Centre was also a big help – assisting Sari as she prepared for her medical school interviews.

Another key factor in her success was the ability to engage in active scientific research, even early in her undergraduate career. An Undergraduate Student Research Award from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council allowed Sari to be hosted in a York laboratory, getting a taste for how science is done in this setting.  Meanwhile, she developed leadership skills as President of the Kinesiology and Health Science Students Organization, and as a member of the Science Student Caucus in the Faculty of Science.

“My studies at York University provided me with my first exposure to determinants of health, with teachings in anatomy and physiology which led to my application to medical school at McMaster University,” Sari says. “I was provided with research opportunities in a physiology laboratory at York after my first year of studies.”

Dr. Herman is now a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in Clinical Immunology and Allergy, as well as in Internal Medicine. She has served on the Regional Advisory Committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada representing specialists in Ontario and Nunavut. This included service on the Fellowship Affairs Committee. She is also a clinical teacher to medical students and residents at the University of Toronto.

Not only does Sari look back on her experiences at York with great fondness, she also maintains a York connection as an active physician at the medical clinic on campus.  From this vantage point she continues to work with members of the York community, and has a window onto the York U Keele campus as it continues to grow and thrive.

With the help of a supportive community and the right resources, Dr. Sari Herman charted a course toward fulfilling professional training and development, and today stands out as an inspiration for current and potential York Science students.