Dr. Donna May Kimmaliardjuk

Dr. Donna May Kimmaliardjuk (Inuk)

Today's #matriachmonday is a part of the healthcare community who are going above and beyond for our loved ones in these times. We celebrate Donna May Kimmaliardjuk (Inuk) who is the first Inuk heart surgeon in what is known as Canada. Dr. Kimmaliardjuk is currently completing her residency training in cardiac surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. In 2016, Dr. Kimmaliardjuk joined the National Aboriginal Council on HIV/AIDS as the Inuit representative, where she provides the council with a unique and crucial perspective combining her knowledge of medicine and Inuit culture.

Donna's mother is Inuk and grew up in the northern community of Chesterfield Inlet in Nunavut, where her family lived briefly before moving to Ottawa. Donna earned her Bachelor of Sciences Honours at Queen’s University, where she served as president of the Queen’s Native Students’ Association for two years and was a student representative on the Queen’s University Aboriginal Council. Through her hard work and dedication, she is not only bridging the gap for Inuit accessing medical services, but she is leading the way for the next generation of Inuit youth to follow in her footsteps.