Alumni Stories: Dr Jenna Khamisa, Class of 2013
Dr Jenna Khamisa, Class of 2013 reflects on her time at St Andrews and how it shaped her career in paediatrics.
I chose to study at St Andrews because, after completing all of grade school at one institution, I was ready for a real change. I wanted to move far from home, experience something new, and build meaningful memories. With medicine available as an undergraduate degree in the UK, and with a strong desire to pursue a medical career, St Andrews stood out for its unique six-year programme, the opportunity to graduate with two degrees, and its partnership with a second medical school in the UK.
When I visited before accepting my offer, I immediately fell in love with the university atmosphere, the history and culture of the town, and the impressive academic opportunities. My experience was filled with diversity, personal growth, and the chance to enjoy a well-rounded university life at a remarkable institution.
One of the things I enjoyed most about my degree was having the experience of two different universities: my first three years in St Andrews, followed by three clinical years at the University of Manchester. At St Andrews, the immediate hands-on anatomy teaching and exposure to dissection were invaluable. The small group communication skills sessions helped me develop strong bedside manner foundations, something that has guided my interest in neonatal and paediatric palliative care, and in practicing family centred, honest communication.
After graduating from St Andrews and completing my degree at Manchester in 2016, I returned to Canada to begin my four-year paediatrics residency in London, Ontario. I then completed a three-year fellowship in Neonatal–Perinatal Medicine at the University of Alberta, alongside a master’s in medical sciences (Paediatrics). My thesis focused on qualitative research in parental bereavement in the NICU. In 2023, I moved back to Calgary to take up a consultant neonatologist position affiliated with the University of Calgary. I now serve as Medical Director for the Southern Alberta Neonatal Transport Service and also work in paediatric palliative care. I live in Calgary with my husband and our dog, Leo.
I always knew I wanted a career in medicine, and St Andrews allowed me to dive straight into my true professional passion. Wanting eventually to work in Canada, I made sure to pursue electives back home to prepare for the transition, and the training I received in the UK set me up incredibly well for residency and beyond. I love my specialty because it gives me the privilege of working with an incredible multidisciplinary team, caring for families during difficult times, and balancing both acute/critical care and ongoing continuity.
My time at St Andrews prepared me for life after graduation in countless ways: exceptional relationships, new cultural experiences, strong communication skills, and excellent medical training that allowed me to thrive in residency and my career.
For current and future medical students, my advice is this: the quickest route isn’t always the best one. Take the time to gain life experience and make sure the decisions you’re making are truly for you. Enjoy the non-academic parts of life along the way, those memories will stay with you just as long as the learning.