Jun 5, 2013

Shining Bright at Convocation 2013

Education, Students
By

Teona Baetu

Brian Li ConvocationBrian Li joined hundreds of Faculty of Medicine students in celebrating a major milestone at yesterday’s convocation ceremony.

Li is one of 218 MD students who donned the traditional cap and gown for convocation. More than 12,000 students from across the University of Toronto will be doing the same during multiple ceremonies this June.

“I’m very excited to graduate, but even more excited for my residency and the new learning opportunities yet to come,” says Li, who will be pursuing his internal medicine residency at the University of Toronto.

Cardiology is Li’s passion and he’s ready for all the opportunities and challenges that come with residency.

“I learned amazing teaching and clinical skills from some of the world’s leading experts here at U of T Medicine.  I now have a strong foundation for residency and beyond,” Li says.

While working with mentor and interventional cardiology fellow at Sunnybrook, Dr. Brian Courtney, Li utilized his engineering background and developed an award-winning imaging catheter that helps detect heart attacks.

“The minimally-invasive device combines ultrasound and optical laser technology to better visualize and characterize coronary plaques, allowing us to identify vulnerable regions that could cause heart attacks,” Li explains.

Li is enthusiastic about the future and fondly reflects on the relationships he’s made at U of T.

“I had a great time during clerkship in my third and fourth years. I’m going to miss my classmates and being part of Daffydil — the student run charity musical production — the most. I’m extremely lucky to be part of the U of T Medicine community.”