From UBC to the Technion

ANNA HARWOOD INTERNATIONAL MEDIA PLACEMENT

Born in Ontario, Avra Laarakker moved to Vernon, B.C., with her family at the age of 12. It was there that she spent her adolescence before studying for a degree in mathematics at the University of British Columbia. So, how did she end up at the Technion in Israel, studying medicine?

After a brief stint as a lumber grader – “I wanted some ‘real-world’ skills to add to my theoretical training,” she explained – she returned to academia for her master’s of science in mathematics. While she was, and still is, a passionate mathematician, she discovered her calling when exploring options for PhD study. “I realized that the element of mathematics that I loved the most was when students came for office hours,” she recalled. “I enjoyed the interaction and I began to look into careers which would offer me both an academic challenge and the fulfilment which comes from directly impacting lives.”

Medicine was Laarakker’s choice and, having discovered that she could complete basic science classes while working full time, she set her sights on this profession. “I decided that I wanted to be a doctor and, for the next few years, I had a single goal in sight,” she explained. “I worked full time as a researcher in a neuroscience laboratory and studied biology and chemistry at night.”

Laarakker was reaching the final stages of her pre-med studies when she was accepted on a Birthright trip to Israel. “I was not excited at the thought of spending 10 days in a tour group, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit Israel,” said Laarakker. “From the moment I stepped off the plane, I was overwhelmed. I spent the trip falling in love with Israel.”

Upon returning to Canada, Laarakker explored medical schools in Israel and decided that, given the Technion’s reputation as a leader in medical research, its strong match rate and small class sizes, she would apply to the Technion American Medical School (TeAMS).

Laarakker flew to New York City for the weekend, interviewed with TeAMS director Prof. Andrew Levy and had her decision justified. “Prof. Levy presented the program to me with such enthusiasm and pride that I knew this was the right program for me,” she said.

Six months later, Laarakker returned to Israel, this time to begin her journey to becoming a physician.

Since arriving in Haifa in the summer of 2012, Laarakker has not stopped. Even before medical studies commenced, she began researching with TeAMS faculty member and fertility expert Dr. Zeev Blumenfeld. “It is amazing to work with such a forerunner in the field and I already have my first paper on the way to publication,” said Laarakker. “I’ve shadowed Dr. Blumenfeld in his clinics and it’s amazing to see how much my Hebrew and medical understanding has come along.”

Laarakker also holds an education degree enabling her to teach math in high schools and is currently looking into training as an advisor for religious women’s gynecological issues with the Nishmat Institute in Jerusalem.

Levy explained that one of the main differences between a medical education in Israel versus one in North America is the early exposure to patients and practical medicine. “One of the many attributes of the Israeli culture is its openness, and this is reflected in my colleagues at Rambam Hospital and their willingness to teach and accompany students on the road to becoming the doctors of the future,” he said.

Laarakker is now in the midst of studying for exams and said that she has enjoyed her first semester of classes. “The professors here are so knowledgeable, give interesting classes and are so immersed in their fields,” she enthused. “I am also enjoying living next to the Mediterranean, going shopping in the markets and exploring Haifa’s cafés and bars.”

Laarakker dreams of practising medicine in the developing world, attaining a faculty position to combine research with practical medicine, and passing on her medical knowledge by eventually teaching the doctors of the future. All this from a mathematician who knows how to grade lumber.

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