Hospice of Elgin’s Medical Director, Dr. Kyra Harris-Schulz by Peri Hayes Dr. Kyra Harris-Schulz, Hospice of Elgin’s Medical Director, introduces: “I completed a degree in Medicine from McGill University in Montréal, Québec. I then went on to complete a residency in Family Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Palliative Care at Western University.” Kyra proceeds to share, “Despite varied interests, what ultimately drew me to medicine was the beautiful marriage of science and the care for human beings that the profession affords. After starting Medical School, I wasn’t sure I had made the right decision. Hours spent in the anatomy lab and studying slides under a microscope made the patient-centred aspect of medicine that drew me to the field feel so far away, but things changed for me when our class was invited to tour a Palliative Care Unit. I vividly remember the experience of meeting with a patient who was generous enough to spend time sharing their personal experience with palliative care. The patient spoke of the way that the palliative care team expertly relieved their symptoms, improved their quality of life and helped them to live out their final days with connection, dignity, respect and support. That day, I came to learn of palliative care as a healing art that centres the person and their family as unique human beings deserving of care and comfort, often in the most vulnerable moments of their lives. From then on, I knew where my place in Medicine was and started my journey toward becoming a Palliative Medicine Specialist.” As the Medical Director of Hospice of Elgin, Kyra’s role is to collaborate with their leadership team, guiding clinical care and overseeing the esteemed physicians who will provide
Page 12 Hometown St. Thomas • May 2025
To advertise here, please contact Geoff@VillagerPublications.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs