May Yau is a Medical Radiation Technologist. She currently lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Read on to find out more about May, her background and experiences, what lead her to the field of global surgical care, the MGSC, and more!
What has inspired you to study and work in the field of global surgery?
My inspiration to get involved in the field of global surgery was a culmination of previous experiences. When I was a radiography student, an orthopaedic surgeon reviewed the pre-operative x-rays with me and explained how the images were used for surgical planning. This encounter changed my perspective on the relationship between radiology and surgery. I started to see how imaging is integrated into every step of surgical care, and how my work is directly related to patient outcomes. Early in my career, I noticed that the quality standards established by radiology differed from the expectations of requesting departments. The differences were subtle, but enough to cause an inconvenience. To identify these mismatches and find a middle ground, I attended emergency medicine and orthopaedic surgery conferences. The most accessible emergency medicine conferences were focused on rural practice, where I gained an appreciation for the outcomes that can be accomplished with limited resources. I was drawn to the creativity required to overcome the challenges associated with rurality. Since my contributions to a healthcare team are directly related to the accessibility of operational imaging equipment, the chances of working in rural areas seemed limited. My outlook changed when one surgeon shared x-rays of patients he had treated in Haiti. The presence of imaging equipment in resource constrained settings implied my skills could be used outside of the radiology department in urban hospitals. As the relationship between imaging accessibility, the role of technologists, and surgical care became more apparent, the unequal distribution in health resources and underlying social justice issue also came to light. I felt a moral obligation to correct the inequities in surgical care, but did not know what that would look like, or how my skills could be utilized. As a result, I applied to the GCGSC program, and worked towards broadening my skillset to be adaptable, in preparation for working in low resource environments.
What are some of your hobbies & interests? What do you love to do in your spare time?
I gravitate towards artistic hobbies, such as silversmithing, whittling, archery, and aerial hoop/silks. When I travel, I like to wander through markets and explore the local food culture. In my spare time, I make plans with friends and family, which always involve food. Though I must admit, napping is my favourite pastime. Between snacking and napping, it’s a dilemma.
What advice would you give to prospective students?
My advice to prospective students would be to seek out mentors who are supportive of your endeavours. Their experience and insight can help guide you in the right direction. In balancing work, personal life, and academics, be realistic about your bandwidth. Make your health a priority by scheduling time for rest, self care, and the important people in your life.
I understand you are a Medical Radiation Technologist. What attracted you to the MGSC and do you have any advice for non-surgeons who may be considering the program? How do you plan to use the skills and knowledge gained from this program in the future?
I was attracted to the MGSC because it provided the opportunity to explore how imaging can support surgical care initiatives. I needed to shift my frame of reference in thinking, going from hospital to resource constrained settings. The chance to learn from the faculty’s instructors proved to be invaluable. Thus far, the courses helped me build a strong foundation in the fundamental principles of global surgery, which have also been applicable to radiology. For non-surgeons who are considering the program, it is important to remember that global surgery is a field built upon multidisciplinary collaboration. Surgeons cannot do it alone. Nursing, allied health professionals, researchers, and support staff are all essential for the continuity of care. The MGSC courses draw on the strengths of an interdisciplinary learning environment, using discussion questions to explore different perspectives and approaches to complex challenges. Even though it may seem intimidating at first, be open to sharing your experiences. In addition to the course content, you are also learning from each other, and supporting one another.
The skills and knowledge I have gained will be used to raise awareness among healthcare providers about our responsibilities in the provision of surgical care. Earlier this year, I had the privilege of speaking at the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists Conference. My session was on the principles of surgical care as related to radiology, the implication on patient outcomes, and the relationship between radiology and adjacent departments. Recognizing that each community faces unique challenges, I encouraged colleagues to advocate for their patients, and to get involved in implementing solutions. When imaging is used to determine a patient’s eligibility for surgery, it can serve as a bridge or a barrier. For this reason, my practicum project is focused on the accessibility of CT in rural Alberta, and I hope to continue this work after the study has been completed. At some point, I would also like to get involved in pro bono work that uses my clinical skills. To be able to combine all these areas together would be ideal.
Is there any work/document/article that you are currently working on that you’d like to promote? Our community would love to find out what our students are currently working on. How can our community learn more about you? (Website, Linkedin, Youtube, etc)
As mentioned earlier, I am currently working on my practicum project, which looks at the accessibility of CT in rural Alberta. For all the physicians in rural Alberta who practice emergency medicine, please keep an eye on your e-mail. An invitation to participate in the survey will be sent out soon. If you could fill out the survey, then that would be greatly appreciated! I would be happy to connect with anyone that is interested in collaborating on a project or engaging in further discussion. The best way to contact me is via e-mail at yau.may@hotmail.com.