COLUMN: Think Again – Another doctor in Steinbach

It was late Saturday morning, and I didn’t know where my wife was. She wasn’t where she said she would be.

When Angela finally got home later that day, she didn’t want to tell me where she had really been. I was more than a little annoyed by this point.

After demanding an explanation, I finally got one. “I was writing the MCAT so that I can apply to medical school and become a doctor,” she explained. “I didn’t tell you about it ahead of time because I was worried that you would try to talk me out of it.”

Of course, this led to a rather heated conversation in which I, as she had correctly predicted, sought to talk her out of it—and I pulled out all the stops. I argued that it was nearly impossible to get into medical school, suggested that the program would take too long to complete even if she did get in, complained about the amount of time that she’d be attending classes in Winnipeg, and argued that tuition was too expensive.

I don’t remember everything I said that afternoon, but I do know that it was not my finest hour. One thing I do recall is that Angela had an answer for each one of my arguments. She had clearly thought this thing through.

Seeing that her mind was made up, I reluctantly went along with her decision. To make a long story short, not only did Angela eventually get into medical school, but she also completed the program.

Thus, on the day this column comes out, Angela will graduate from the University of Manitoba Max Rady College of Medicine with her M.D. degree. In July, she starts her two-year family medicine residency at Steinbach Family Medical. Once she completes her residency, she will be a full-fledged family doctor right here in Steinbach.

During my first term on city council, I promised to try to bring more family doctors to Steinbach. However, as much as I’d like to take credit for my wife becoming a doctor, I can’t do that. The truth is that Angela wouldn’t be graduating today if she had listened to my arguments against her applying for medical school.

Nevertheless, I am incredibly proud of my wife. Graduating from medical school is no small feat, particularly since she had to juggle her studies with being a wife and a mother to four kids. Not only that, but she commuted to Winnipeg most days even when doing 24-hour hospital shifts during the winter months.

I watched as Angela studied countless hours for many high-stakes exams and as she worked on her clinical skills. Not content with the medical work she was already doing in Canada, Angela travelled to Africa two summers in a row to volunteer at a hospital. And then after getting back to Canada, she organized a fundraising campaign to help buy some much-needed equipment for that hospital.

A valuable lesson that I’ve learned throughout this process is that you should never underestimate your spouse or stand in the way of their dreams. I’m glad Angela persisted with her medical school plans despite my initial opposition. While I can’t take credit for her decision to go into medicine, I can truthfully say that I’ve done my best since then to support her.

Let me be the first to officially congratulate Dr. Angela Zwaagstra for graduating from medical school! She worked incredibly hard and has truly earned the title of doctor.

I don’t think Dr. Zwaagstra will have much trouble filling up her patient roster. Steinbach is getting a fantastic new doctor.

Michael Zwaagstra is a high school teacher and deputy mayor of Steinbach. He can be reached at mzwaagstra@shaw.ca.