What is your first U of A memory?
I arrived in Edmonton in 1999, just a few days prior to starting my emergency medicine training. My first memory is attending the orientation session for new postgraduate medical education trainees. We were all excited and nervous to begin the next stage of our training.
What’s something your coworkers don’t know about you?
During my emergency medicine training, I was attending a research meeting in New York City when 9/11 happened. Along with two of my Edmonton colleagues, I went to Ground Zero to help care for those who were unable to leave the area on their own.
What’s your favourite distraction?
I love to knit! It helps to focus my mind so that I can think through things that are bothering me or need some extra attention. I also just took my first weaving class and I loved it.
If you were enrolling in one course, program or degree right now, what would it be?
I’m planning to complete the micro-course on structural racism through the Faculty of Native Studies. As a settler on this land, it is important to learn more about the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This includes learning what each of us can do to uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples and actively address health inequities and racism.
What’s a weird pet peeve you have?
Things left out on the kitchen counter for no apparent reason really bother me. My family knows there is a 24-hour grace period before it ends up on their desk, in their room or in the garbage.
You can invite anyone — alive or dead, real or fictional — to dinner. Who would it be?
I would invite Michelle Obama. I have found how she conceptualizes and moves through difficult situations to be very inspiring. These words from her book, The Light We Carry have really stuck with me:
“What I want to say, then, is stay vigorous and faithful, humble and empathetic. Tell the truth, do your best by others, keep perspective, understand history and context. Stay prudent, stay tough, and stay outraged.”
And she is also a knitter!
If you could see any live performance tomorrow, what would it be?
Definitely William Prince! I had the joy of seeing him perform live at the Canmore Folk Festival in 2017. His music took my breath away. The way his writing and music captures emotion, history and circumstance is truly amazing.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
There is a lot of work to do, so pace yourself — take care of yourself, family and community first. Always take the high road. And never compromise on your core values (for me these are integrity, humility, justice, equity).
What’s one thing you can’t live without?
Time in nature. Since I was little, spending time outside has been one of the most important things for keeping me grounded. Now, it is such a joy to spend time outside with my kids — hiking, biking, skiing and paddleboarding.
What three words describe your U of A experience?
Inspiring — I have been supported throughout both my training and my work to dream big and reach for a bold vision of the future.
Caring – I have found a sense of caring and community here at the U of A. This has made it easier for me to learn by making mistakes and taking risks.
Joyful – Edmonton is such a fantastic place to live. I have been here for 24 years and am not even close to being done exploring!
About Kathryn
Kathryn Dong is the Alberta Health Services Chair in Emergency Medicine Research and the Social Accountability Lead for the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta. Her clinical work is as an addiction medicine physician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.