Ana Spasojevic
Recipient of a Continuing Academic Excellence Award
"I first recognized my passion for health care on a school trip to Cuba with my band, when a student stepped on a poisonous plant and hurt her foot."
Studying: Honours Biomedical Science
School: University of Ottawa (first year)
Career aspirations: Medical Practitioner
What was the first thing you did when you found out you’re receiving a scholarship award and how did you feel?
I was awoken bright and early on Monday morning by a buzzing sound from my phone, an alert that I had received an email. I sighed in annoyance as I checked the notification, expecting it to be spam mail that constantly seems to be flooding my inbox. However, I was taken aback when I saw “MPAC Continuing Education” in the title, and I sprung out of bed in excitement. The three seconds it took to unlock my phone and let the email load seemed like an eternity! When I read the first word, “Congratulations”, my nervous anticipation dissolved and was replaced with immeasurable euphoria. After jumping for joy and giving my parents a hug, I congratulated myself by going right back to sleep!
What is the most important attribute to be a leader in your community and why?
As the team captain of my varsity rugby team, I learned that an essential attribute of any leader is empathy. On the first day of practice, I noticed the new players struggling to remember the niche rugby terminology, reminding me of the confusion I felt my first rugby season. To help the younger players absorb techniques discussed in practice, I sent out comprehensive emails each evening summarizing every new skill, and I would quiz the new players and answer their questions each morning. My ultimate goal was to help new players integrate into the team without feeling left behind and foster a supportive atmosphere in the group. An ability to empathize with others allows a leader to view problems from many different perspectives, and thus to work together with others to achieve the team’s common goal.
What does this award mean to you?
My mother has been an employee at MPAC for the past year and a half. She has always been one of my biggest supporters in every aspect of life, from my education, to sports, to volunteer initiatives. It is so comforting to know that my mother’s company is equally as invested in supporting my ambitious academic path to achieving success in the future. I am so grateful to be a recipient of the MPAC Continuing Education Scholarship Award, as it encourages me to continue working hard and seeking out opportunities to fund my education.
What has been your most rewarding volunteer experience?
When COVID-19 shut down facilities across the world, the pressure fell on our healthcare system, leaving medical practitioners vulnerable to the virus. Rather than passively waiting for the pandemic to pass, I took action to alleviate some of this pressure off of doctors and nurses, by helping start a non-profit organization, Frontline First, to import medical equipment from international suppliers and donate it to Ottawa’s hospitals. As the Logistics Director, I communicated with each Ottawa hospital to determine which locations had the highest demand for equipment and allocated supplies accordingly. Overall, Frontline First has donated over $50 000 worth of medical supplies and in-kind donations!
What or who inspired you to choose your major?
I first recognized my passion for health care on a school trip to Cuba with my band, when a student stepped on a poisonous plant and hurt her foot. While all my peers carried on with the activities planned for the rest of the day, I was determined to help, so I spent all evening with my fellow student, poring over the First Aid Kit. Although I missed out on a few fun activities that were planned for that evening, I felt no remorse, but instead satisfaction for having kept her company and helped ease her pain. Following this experience, I realized that I wanted to help more people who are suffering more serious health conditions, to ensure that no patient ever feels alone or afraid throughout their treatment. Hence, it is my dream to become a physician, which is why I decided to study Biomedical Science at the University of Ottawa.
How did COVID-19 change your volunteering experience and what has it taught you?
The main challenge COVID-19 presented with regards to my volunteering experience was transitioning into a remote, virtual environment. The transition from our usual in-person meetings to Zoom caused miscommunication due to technical difficulties, lack of interactivity, and loss of enthusiasm within the volunteer groups. I learned to adapt to these challenges by building new communication strategies and exploring innovative digital tools to help me navigate the virtual workplace.
What do you hope to accomplish this school year?
Although I understand the importance of studying hard and achieving a high academic standing, I believe it is equally as important to be involved in the community and to seek out opportunities to apply skills learned in school in a practical setting. Thus, my goal for this upcoming school year is to find a balance between study, activity, and volunteering, so I can continue inspiring, motivating and helping others, to ultimately leave behind a positive impact on my community, big or small.
"An ability to empathize with others allows a leader to view problems from many different perspectives, and thus to work together with others to achieve the team’s common goal."
Ana with her dad and mom, Tamara Spasojevic, Appraiser, Centralized Properties, in the Ottawa office.