Resident physicians are a constant presence in Niagara Health hospitals — assessing patients, supporting care teams and learning their craft in real time, often under pressure. This week, their role comes into focus as Niagara Health marks Residents Week, running Feb. 9 to 13, 2026, recognizing the doctors in training who help deliver care across the region while preparing for independent practice.
“When applying to residency, Niagara Health had the exact program to offer me the training I wanted, in the exact environment where I plan to work,” says Lukas Shum-Tim, a resident physician at Niagara Health.
Resident physicians are fully qualified doctors who have completed medical school and are now undertaking specialized training before independent practice. They play a vital role in delivering safe, high-quality care across our hospitals and communities.
“Residents are not just learners; they are healthcare providers, shouldering tremendous responsibility in patient care,” says Dr. Rafi Setrak, Emergency Physician, Regional Chief of Emergency Medicine, and Academic Lead at Niagara Health.
Since beginning his residency at NH in 2022, Shum-Tim says his goal has been to become a community general surgeon, but he can now add medical-educator to his list.
“I realize how privileged I am to train in this program, which made me question why this model of training in a community setting is not more present across the country. I took a leap of faith after my second year of residency to pursue a master's degree in health professions education to gain more foundational knowledge in medical education, with the hope of using Niagara as a model for future community-based residency training programs,” he says.
Niagara Health continues to be a destination for medical training in a community hospital setting. During the current academic year (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026), approximately 74 visiting, elective and fellowship residents will train across Niagara Health sites. These learners bring fresh perspectives, energy and new ideas, strengthening both patient care and the learning environment.
“At Niagara Health, residents are essential members of the care team,” says Dr. Kevin Chan, Chief of Staff and Executive Vice-President, Medical Affairs, at Niagara Health. "They work alongside staff physicians to consult with patients, diagnose conditions and deliver care.”
“They are also system shapers,” adds Dr. Setrak. “They challenge us to evolve and adapt, while often serving as a primary point of support for patients and families.”
This year’s Residents Week theme: Train here. Live here. Work here reflects Niagara Health’s commitment not only to medical education, but to building a strong, sustainable physician workforce for the region. Many physicians who train at Niagara Health choose to stay and practise in Niagara, deepening their connection to the community. Since 2012, five general surgery residents have joined Niagara Health, along with 11 emergency medicine physicians since 2013.
Dr. Setrak knows the value of residency training firsthand. “I had the good fortune of being a resident twice during my career — once after graduation and again mid-career,” he shares. “It wasn’t until the second time, nearly 15 years later, that I fully understood the impact of the work residents do. Most importantly, they are the doctors who will support our future healthcare system.”
For residents, training at Niagara Health offers hands-on experience in a collaborative, patient-centred environment, while allowing them to live and work in a vibrant, growing region.
“I am inspired every day by my mentors, my co-residents and by everyone else who is making this Niagara Health general surgery learning experience so unique,” says Shum-Tim. “I feel I am an integral part of the team and can trust each individual in the program, regardless of their role. They all mean well and look out for me, which makes me want to be a better person every day and give back all I have.”
As Niagara Health continues to expand its academic programs, residents remain central to care delivery.
“To our medical residents, it has been a pleasure and an honour to work with you,” says Dr. Setrak. “I look forward to at least another decade in my role, before I become one of your patients.”
During Residents Week and throughout the year, Niagara Health extends a heartfelt thank you to all resident physicians for their compassion, dedication and commitment to learning.
“To our current resident physicians, now and in your bright, infinite future, there will be days of sadness and there will be challenges. But remember, in the most intimate and often most difficult times in people’s lives, you will have the opportunity to shape, change and make a meaningful difference,” says Dr. Kevin Chan.
