Meet Lily Summers Trasiewicz - MSc Public Health Sciences 2020 - Specialization in Biostatistics

| 1 May 2020

How did you come to be in your program?

Working in healthcare is a great responsibility and with each year of my studies, I knew it was a path I would take pride in contributing. The biostatistics specialization offered me a unique opportunity to combine my interest in healthcare and my statistical abilities to aid in advancing medical research. I am a person who prefers variety in life and this program allows me to investigate multiple medical areas.

What challenges have you had with the pandemic, and how did you overcome them?

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on a few changes for me, some smooth transitions while others challenging. I've been working in residence for three years now at Queen's, but this year had an end that was the hardest. I was responsible for 35 students and made a connection with each of them, but I only got to say goodbye to around half.

Within a day or two of cancelling undergraduate classes, most of them had to leave. This was one of the most influential years of their lives, coming to an abrupt end, and I wasn't sure how to aid them through this pandemic. When all the remaining staff and students were relocated, I ended up finding notes from an activity we did in December. I had them write down their favorite memories of the term and I posted them to the floor’s media page with my own favorite memories. Overall it was the best conclusion for the year.

What are your hopes and plans?

Another challenge resulting from the current pandemic is that my future remains unsure. My hopes are to find a one-year research assistant position either here in Kingston, Toronto, or Montreal. Then, I will see where life takes me afterward.

Financial Awards while in PHS Program

NSERC Award
NSERC URSA Undergraduate Research Award 2018 (supervisor Dr. Dongsheng Tu)

Volunteer Work

Mental Health Services Unit Volunteer, Providence Care Hospital, Kingston ON 2016-2018

Creates unique interactions with outpatients and inpatients from different areas of the Mental Health Site, such as forensic unit patients. Working alongside other volunteers and patients to build a positive social environment. Coordinates and participates in multiple activities with the patients.
CAVC Unit Volunteer, West Park Healthcare Centre, Toronto ON 2015-2018 (Chronic Assisted Ventilatory Care Unit)

Worked alongside nurses to provide ultimate care and companionship directly for the patients. Direct one on one interaction with various patients within the unit, including patient transportation and bedside duties. Required to engage in a multiple variety of activities with the patients which range from the arts to simple activities, such as helping them with their menus.

Employment

Residence Don, Residence Life at Queen’s University, Kingston, ON 2019-Present

On-call in student residence to ensure a safe environment for first-year university students. Responsible for connecting students to resources on campus, providing the opportunity for students to become aware of gender and diversity at Queen’s, and advocating for safe space.
Overnight Sleep Attendant, Providence Care, Kingston, ON 2018-Present

On-call overnight sleep attendant for long term brain injury patients in the community brain injury services CBIS with Providence Care. Responsible for prepping clients to be ready for bed, encouraging intake of prescribed medications as well as implementing goals such as improved quality of life and increased independence.
Summer Research Student, Queen’s Cancer Research Institute/CCTG, Kingston, ON 2018

Statistically analyzed cancer clinical trials, using SAS programming.
House President, The Residence Society, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON 2017-2019

Responsible for planning large-scale events across residences, connecting students to resources on campus, and encouraging the development of a safe and welcoming environment.

Publications

Influence of competing risk of death on the interpretation of adjuvant endocrine therapy trials for breast cancer: a secondary analysis of MA27, MA17 and MA17R, Josee-Lyne Ethier, Wendy Parulekar, Lois Shepherd, Lily Summers, Paul Goss, Dongsheng Tu, Eitan Amir

Blog

Meet Lily Summers Trasiewicz - MSc Public Health Sciences 2020 - Specialization in Biostatistics

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