Dr. Valérie Courval is currently a general surgeon specializing in trauma, acute care and hernia surgery located in Quebec City at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Laval University.
Dr. Courval has completed fellowships in Trauma and Acute Care surgery at Vancouver General Hospital, UBC and abdominal wall reconstruction at North York General Hospital, Toronto. She is currently in her first year in the Master of Global Surgical Care program.
Read on to find out more about Valérie, her experiences, what led her to MGSC, and more!
What are some of your hobbies & interests (cooking, sports, travelling, etc?) What do you love to do in your spare time?
Outdoor sports (climbing, backcountry skiing)
What has inspired you to study and work in the field of global surgery? Please share any experiences you have had in global surgery work.
I did a few electives in different countries (Senegal, South Africa, Netherlands…). I realized I am interested in how people organize their healthcare system. A reason I decided to do general surgery was the opportunity that it gives me to travel and be essential wherever I work.
I understand you have experience with providing primary care to the Innu community in Northern Quebec. What led you and inspired you to work there and what are some of your key lessons learned and experiences that you would like to share with our readers?
I first applied for an elective there. I have always been interested in Indigenous culture and even more in providing care. Part of it is also related to the fact that one of my grandparents was Métis. I worked there just after an elective in Senegal, and the experience was a truly eye-opening experience for me. The life conditions, socio-economic challenges, and needs felt much worse in Northern Quebec than in Africa where I was based. I couldn’t believe that there was such a gap in social and medical needs inside my province.
What attracted you to the MGSC and do you have any advice for anyone who may be considering the program? How do you plan to use the skills and knowledge gained from this program in your career in the future?
I was looking to get more insight into global surgery and becoming prepared to get involved in it. I am planning on working in global surgery in the future, but I don’t know yet at which level.