Convocation 2026: Jenice Ma

Jenice Ma

Jenice Ma took an unconventional path to her doctor of medicine, transitioning to healthcare after working in corporate management consulting and earning a business degree from the Ivey School of Business. Remarkably, she balanced the rigorous demands of medical school with over 20 hours of weekly training to compete internationally in sport climbing for Team Canada. Moving forward, she is thrilled to remain at the U of A for her residency, a decision inspired by a faculty that genuinely invested in her as a whole person rather than just a student number.

What drew you to your area of study?

After graduating from the Ivey Business School, I worked in management consulting with a focus on organizational redesign and restructuring. Although I learned a lot and enjoyed aspects of the job, I never fully felt fulfilled because much of what we did centered around solving financial and operational problems for companies, and it often felt like my role came during someone else’s worst day. Over time, I realized I wanted a career where I could make a more direct and meaningful impact on people’s lives and help others in a more tangible way.

That realization pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone, self-study for the MCAT while working full time and ultimately apply to medical school. Since making that transition, I have felt a much stronger sense of purpose and fulfillment, and every patient interaction, whether positive or challenging, continues to reinforce that I made the right decision for myself. Even on the hardest days, I can genuinely say that this work feels meaningful to me in a way I had always hoped my career would.

Do you have anyone in particular you'd like to thank for helping with your success?

Throughout medical school, I competed internationally at World Cups in sport climbing for Team Canada. Balancing over 20 hours of training each week alongside the demands of medical school showed me just how important strong support systems are, and that I would not have been able to do so without the unwavering support of my family, my partner, my coaches and especially the U of A faculty. The faculty supported both my academic and athletic pursuits, and I never felt that I had to sacrifice one for the other. What stood out most to me was being part of a program that valued me as a whole person, rather than simply a student number. That sense of support, encouragement and genuine investment in students is a major reason I have chosen to stay at the U of A for residency, and I am excited to continue my training in the family medicine residency program here!

What advice would you give to a student considering your area of study?

One piece of advice I would give to a student considering medicine is to genuinely try to enjoy every stage of the journey, even the parts that may not feel exciting in the moment. Pre-clerkship can sometimes feel like a grind, sitting in lectures and studying constantly, but looking back, those years are also some of the most flexible and carefree times you will have. Clerkship, on the other hand, can feel exhausting and overwhelming, but those first patient interactions and early clinical experiences will likely become some of your most memorable moments in medicine.

As training progresses, each stage comes with more responsibility, new challenges and different pressures. I think it's important not to view medical training as something to rush through on the way to the next title or next level of training. There is something valuable to learn from every step along the way, and I think you gain the most from medical training when you fully engage with the experiences that come with each stage.