This week is Resident Appreciation Week, a time to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions made by our resident physicians. Medical residents work tirelessly to provide high-quality care to patients while balancing the demands of their rigorous training programs. Resident physicians are an essential part of our healthcare system, bringing energy, expertise and compassion to their work every day, and they are the future of medicine in Nova Scotia.
Growing up in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Dr. Adele Orovec, third-year general surgery resident, planned to be a teacher. However, after she was injured at a national soccer tournament and began the path to recovery, her career aspirations shifted. Having had a negative experience with a pediatric surgeon, Adele decided she would become a physician “so I could treat my patients well and with empathy.”
Dr. Orovec moved to Halifax to attend high school at École Secondaire du Sommet and then completed Dalhousie University’s Medical Sciences Program, graduating in 2018. She went straight into medical school from there.
“Once in medicine, I thought I would become a pediatrician, as I had previously done research in the neonatal intensive care unit,” said Dr. Orovec. “I eventually realized that general surgery was where I was happiest, and I am very content with my choice.”
The highlight of being in medicine, Dr. Orovec said, is “the people I have met and have had the privilege of working with. My best friends in medical school now appear on the other line of the phone when I need help or have a question. My co-residents are always here for support.”
Dr. Orovec acknowledges that being a doctor isn’t an easy path – in fact, it can be downright hard. “But the good outweighs the bad, and I am so thankful for my friends and family who have and continue to support me through this journey.”
Her husband and dog are the most important part of that support network, and she values her time spent with both. Her dog Ollie’s joyful and consistent presence could be described as good medicine.
“There is not a day that goes by that I am not greeted by Ollie and his wagging tail when I come home after a long day. It's the best!”
For those people considering medical school or currently in medical school and about to start residency, Dr. Orovec offered this advice: “Be yourself. I know this is such cheesy advice, but this was the best advice I was given when applying to medical school. I was told to ask myself ‘Who am I?’ and as long as I was staying true to myself, the path forward was clear.”
Photo of Dr. Adele Orovec.
