Hey Reader,
We're still buzzing from MedExplore 2026, and we wanted to take a moment to properly recap the day and thank everyone who made it happen.
On Sunday, August 16th, over 100 students gathered at the University of Toronto Mississauga for a full day exploring careers in healthcare. It was our biggest event yet, and it wouldn't have happened without an incredible group of people showing up for our community.
At Dr. Interested, weβre building a global community where students can explore healthcare, leadership, innovation, advocacy, and research in ways that are accessible, collaborative, and genuinely exciting.
Want to meet the crew and find your people? Jump into our Discord and join the conversation.
π€ MedExplore: By the Numbers
- 100+ students in attendance
- 23 speakers, guests, and panelists
- 17 volunteers who ran the day behind the scenes
π©Ί A Day of Learning and Connection
The morning opened with remarks from MPP Nina Tangri, MPP Sheref Sabawy, and Deputy Mayor Harkirat Singh, setting the tone for a day built around genuine support for youth in healthcare. From there, students heard from Doreen Zarrabian on research and advocacy, Raaj Dudani on life inside a PhD, and the UTM Pre Medical Club on surviving first year. MPP Rudy Cuzzetto, Councillor Chris Fonseca, and MP Fares Al Soud closed out the morning with remarks that reminded everyone in the room just how much support exists for students pursuing this path.
The afternoon kept the momentum going with sessions on grad school and leadership paths from Medicine4Youth, a look at turning volunteer hours into real impact from Volunteering Peel, and a conversation on policy and health. Dr. Tarek Abdelhalim closed things out with a look at a day in the life of a career in internal medicine, before Councillor Natalie Hart wrapped up the conference.
π Thank You
To every speaker, panelist, and government guest who gave their time to talk directly with students, thank you. To our 17 volunteers, who were the backbone of the entire day, thank you. To UTM Hospitality and Lindsay Smith for taking such great care of us on site, thank you. And to TakingITGlobal, Canada Service Corps, and the Sprout Fellowship for funding and supporting this event from the very beginning, thank you.
Most of all, thank you to every student and family who showed up, asked questions, and made the day what it was.
Want the full recap, agenda, and photo gallery from the day? Head over to our site.
See the full MedExplore 2026 recap:https://www.drinterested.org/medexplore-2026β
π Explore3 Case Competition Registration Is Open
October 25 β’ 9:00 AM to 4:00 PMHumber Polytechnic, Humber College Downtown Campus
β
Registration closes October 15 at 11:59 PM
Explore3 brings together high school students from across Ontario for a full day of interdisciplinary challenges spanning Medicine, Law, and Finance. It's a day of intellectual excellence, teamwork, and professional networking in the heart of Toronto.
Entry options:
- $7 entry fee, individual
- $10 entry fee with food, individual
- $12 entry fee, team of 2
- $15 entry fee with food, team of 2
- $15 entry fee, team of 3
- $25 entry fee with food, team of 3
Payment is by e-transfer to finance@drinterested.org after you complete the registration form.
Prizes:
- π 1st Place: Cash Prize and Certificate
- π₯ 2nd Place: Certificate
- π₯ 3rd Place: Certificate
- π
Runner Ups: Certificate
Register for Explore3:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdl8z70fQGVrXVTAuPGXgOsyB0FyqgN94O0AfXn6qWgBRflMg/viewformβ
Learn more:https://www.explore3.live/β
Thank you again for being part of this community. MedExplore 2026 happened because students kept asking for more opportunities like this, and we can't wait to build on it for next year.
π Support & Join Us
Weβre a global team, and we want you on it. If you want to contribute to UN reports, gain verified hours, and work with an international crew, Join Us!
Partner With Us: Email our Director of Events: lalit@events.drinterested.org
βDonate: E-transfer to finance@drinterested.org (add note to support a specific project)
More info: Sponsorshipsβ
π Recent Blog Posts
The Burnout Pipeline: How Students Lose Interest in Healthcare Before They Even Start
βHealth β’ February 2, 2026 β’ 5 min read
|
|
Personalized Medicine: Why One Treatment Doesnβt Fit All
βHealth β’ February 1, 2026 β’ 6 min read
|
π§ Recent Podcast Episode
Episode 10: Stop Being Productive, Rewrite Your Mind by Simply Existing β By: Sanayaβ
π
May 11, 2026 | Dr. Interested Podcast
In this episode, Sanaya explores the pressure to constantly be productive and challenges the idea that self worth must always be tied to output.
Through reflections on burnout, hustle culture, rest, and emotional wellbeing, this episode dives into how slowing down and simply existing can become one of the healthiest resets for the mind.
If youβve ever struggled with guilt around resting or felt overwhelmed by constant pressure to achieve, this episode offers a refreshing and grounding perspective.
β
Thanks for being part of this movement.
Whether you're applying, chatting, or sharing with friends, youβre helping shape the future of youth in medicine.
With gratitude,
The Dr. Interested Team
We acknowledge that while we operate online, our community is made up of people from diverse lands, cultures, and histories. We honour the Indigenous peoples and local communities worldwide who are the original stewards of their lands, and we are grateful to be able to learn, connect, and grow together across borders.
βUnsubscribe Β· Preferencesβ
β
β