Suhani Srihari

A passionate and dependable candidate who desires to work with others to address healthcare inequities and help people receive proper care. I’ve worked in various healthcare and community settings to aid diverse groups facing unique challenges such as seniors, children, women facing homelessness and addictions, women working in sex work, youth in crisis, individuals dealing with food insecurity, newcomers to Canada, and patients dealing with neurological and mental health conditions. I possess excellent interpersonal skills and am keen to tackle new challenges with a positive attitude. My goal is to provide equitable support and care for all patients and their families.

Genetic Counselling Shadowing and GC Meetings

Various Organizations                                                   Dec 2022- Present

• Shadowed a case meeting where multiple hereditary cancer genetic counsellors and genetic counselling students shared their cases to gain advice.
• Virtually shadowed prenatal Genetic Counsellors at the Maternal Fetal Center at Valley Children’s Healthcare Center where I attended appointments with patients who were positively screened for carrier genes or are dealing with genetic-based pregnancy complications. 
• Learned about family medical histories, use of pedigrees, and types of cases dealt with by the genetic counsellors at the cancer center. Also learned how genetic screening tests were ordered. 

Emergency Department and Patient Experience Volunteer

Alberta Health Services                                               Aug 2021 – Present

• Helped coordinate incoming traffic (patients, family, and visitors) in the Emergency Department and supported clinical workflow. Coordinated information between healthcare professionals and patients + families. Also helped transport patients. 
• Interacted directly with patients and family members in a high stress environment and helped them navigate their emotions during medical crisis. 
• Accessed, monitored, and redistributed important patient files throughout ED.
• Collected patient info from family.
• Interacted directly with patients and nurses in the Neurology, Neuropsychic, and transition in-patient wards to aid patients and enrich the experiences of the patients staying in the hospital for long term.

Psychology Internship in Athens, Greece

IASIS NGO program through Cerca Abroad              Jan 2023- Feb 2023

• IASIS provides therapeutic aid, counselling services, and psychosocial support to individuals facing mental health disorders and challenges. 
• Conducted a case study based on translated counselling notes to help create a therapeutic plan for the patient. As well, I documented a report on patients, and wrote an article about genetic factors influencing mental health disorders published on the IASIS website. 
• Led, participated, and assisted in multiple group counselling activities at the day center including a novel peer-to-peer workshop regarding non-violent communication.

Teaching Assistant and Supplemental Learning Leader 

UBC Okanagan Biology Department and AVP                                          Sept 2019 – Apr 2021

• Independently planned and organized weekly sessions for Evolution and Ecology Biology course.
• SL program is designed to enhance the learner’s skills and knowledge by promoting learning aid for the student community. I was an SL leader for introductory biology and cellular biology courses.
• Created tutoring seminars, educational tools, and group activities targeting difficult course material. Also conducted sessions and kept up to date with course content for tutoring.
• Mentored students with wide range of learning backgrounds in groups and independently. 
• Built strong communication and excellent presentation skills.

Physiology Laboratory Assistant

University of Calgary Biology Department                                                 Jul 2022 – Dec 2022

• Collected and managed data. Also conducted cell counts. 
• Gained valuable insight into effective experimental, laboratory, and genetic techniques.
• Read scientific literature and conducted literature reviews. 
• Followed basic laboratory protocols, aseptic techniques, pipetting and swabbing.
• Learnt how to conduct DNA/ RNA extractions, purification, PCR, transcription.

Social and Web Presence Manager

Farms to Families Canada                                                                         Jun 2021-Apr 2022

• Coordinated and participated in phone call-based outreach to farms and food banks and sought sponsorship. 
• Aided in the recruitment of new volunteers and executives.
• Organized master list of farms, greenhouses, and food banks nationwide. 
• Designed educational handouts and spread awareness about food insecurity in Canada through social outreach and informational pamphlets. 

Event Planner & Outreach Volunteer

H.O.P.E. Outreach Okanagan                                                                 Sept 2019 – Apr 2020

• Went out on the streets at night to provide outreach for women who were homeless, living in addiction, exploited and/or working in sex work.
• Arranged and distributed supplies during nighttime outreach
• Planned and helped run monthly Pizza Night Events and coordinated with executive members in Event planning 
• Recruit sponsorship through phone calls and virtual communication. 

Math and Science Tutor

Sealy Tutoring                                                                                          Nov 2022 – Present

• Provided Math and Science specific support to students from middle school to 2nd year university.
• Tutored students one on one to help understand difficult concepts and improve grades and understanding. 
• Assisted students in developing academic strategies, actively engaged with students to build confidence in subject matter.

Crisis Text Volunteer and Newcomer Advisory Board Member

Kids Help Phone                                                                                         Sep 2021 – Present

• The KHP provides a nation-wide crisis text line that is open to all ages.
• Spent 36+ hours in online crisis responder training to communicate with multiple anonymous texters in crisis to bring them from a hot moment to a cool calm. 
• Aided in navigating the varying texter situations and emotions and helped connect texters with additional resources. Also performed routine risk assessment for suicide, self-harm, and abuse. 
• Kids Help Phone’s Newcomer Initiatives program has worked to maximize access, increase awareness, and deepen connections with newcomer communities across Canada. I attended biannual board meetings.

BSc, Major: Microbiology Minor: English Literature

University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC 

Apr 2021