Submitted by: Kelly Honsberger, former MNO Employment and Training Coordinator
MNO citizen Marc Labelle. Click here to view a larger
version of the picture.
Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizen Marc Labelle is a perfect example of what hard work and dedication can get you in life. After completing 10 years of post-secondary education, Marc has proudly obtained his MD (Doctor of Medicine) from the University of Toronto.
After so many years in school, Marc is very thankful for the MNO’s financial assistance as this has helped to decrease the financial impact and debt burden that can so easily pile up.
Marc decided to pursue a career in medicine as he had always excelled in the sciences and had a desire to help others and give back to his community. He is currently a resident physician training at the University of Western Ontario.
Marc works in several different areas including emergency care, ward care, obstetrics, family clinic and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He also works at managing chronic disease to reduce the burden of disease and lessen suffering for those near the end of their life. Marc said that “the most rewarding aspect of my career is diagnosing and improving people’s lives.”
One challenge Marc encountered while completing his studies was combining and integrating “the western medicine paradigm with my Indigenous paradigms and ways of knowing.”
Marc was able to overcome this challenge by meeting with other Indigenous physicians, to ensure that his learning objectives were met, advocacy roles were pursued and that Indigenous issues were taught, explored and addressed.
Marc does not take his position as a physician lightly as he is aware that “the physician-patient relationship is unique and [a] powerful one that has the potential to greatly improve the patient’s health through prevention and treatment.”
For more information on the MNO’s Employment and Training programs, please visit the MNO website.
Published on: October 13, 2016