Titled: “The cancer hero: An inspirational journey of Mrs. Shaunna Uy”
In collaboration with the Qatar Cancer Society and the College of Health Sciences, a member of QU-Health, Qatar University (QU), The CHS Student Association (CHSSA) organized the first event in the new “Health Heroes” series titled: “The cancer hero: An inspirational journey of Mrs. Shaunna Uy”. The series aims to inspire future healthcare students by spotlighting the careers of successful healthcare professionals and the inspiring stories of patients who have stories to share about their experiences, obstacles, and life lessons.
The first event in the series introduced a stage-4 GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor) cancer fighter, Ms. Shaunna Uy. Insurance Coordinator, at the Devine Dental Clinic who coincidentally met the CHSSA president, Ms. Asma Hassan in Al-Amal hospital. With a dream to share her cancer story, and inspire people, Ms. Shauna presented her journey in the 1st event of the Health Heroes Series. The event was attended by more than 100 people in the online streams and on-campus; including visitors from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Qatar Cancer society (QCS), and Qatar University students, faculty and staff.
Dr. Hanan Abdul Rahim, the dean of the college of Health Sciences stated: “I’m very proud of this student-led initiative. It demonstrated the importance of the value of compassion in health care and inspired our students, who are future healthcare providers, to truly listen to the people they care for and understand their experiences holistically.”
The CHSSA aims to achieve the goal of strengthening links between health institutions in Qatar and Qatar University and to support national health goals. Ms. Asma Hassan, the president of CHSSA commented: “As health professions students, we should find various ways to provide health care to our patients, which are not limited to giving medicine or medical procedures, but by exploring ways to support their mental health, which will eventually empower their ability to fight disease and recover."
Dr. Mohammed Sir Elkhatim, an Oncology consultant at the National Centre for Cancer Care Research center at Hamad Medical Corporation (NCCCR-HMC) stated: “Patient-centered care is the corner stone of all health related entities. Organizing an event with a patient at its heart as a keynote speaker and connecting students, health care professionals, and educators, was truly inspiring. CHSSA took (patient-centered care) to the next level.
Dr. Hadi Mohamad Abu Rasheed, Head of Professional Development and Scientific Research Department at Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) added: “Investigating new research in the health field is important to health professionals. Considering the patient’s narrative and understanding the journey of patients under treatment provides great insights to the areas that need improvement.”
The feedback received from the audience was extremely positive with regard to the content and delivery of the event and the anticipated benefits behind Mrs. Shauna’s emotional cancer experience. Mrs. Shauna Uy, The event Hero, concluded: I, with a faithful heart believe that my short story will reach you. I pray that you will find the beauty of life amidst any difficulties and find a hidden treasure in it. I seek not to be remembered by my name, but to be a factor in changing your mindset and urge the journey to acceptance”.