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Shama Paul
Clinical Assistant
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“For us, Canada represented opportunity, security, and the chance to build something meaningful.”
"This time, I had no plan — just an unshakable feeling that this was the right move. And it turned out to be the best move of my life,”
A Bold Move
with Shama Paul
When Shama Paul arrived in Canada in 2020, she carried more than just her luggage. She brought with her a background as a family physician, having cared for patients across urban, suburban, and rural communities, along with the profound responsibility of serving as a COVID-19 frontline doctor in her home country.
“What I didn’t carry?” she reflected. “Was a clear roadmap for what came next.”
For Shama, relocating to Canada had been part of her story long before she arrived.
“Canada has been a dream of mine since Grade 4,” she shared. “I can still remember telling people that one day I would live there, and over many years, that dream quietly stayed with me. My parents worked tirelessly and eventually secured immigration status, hoping for a safer and more stable future for our family.”
“For us, Canada represented opportunity, security, and the chance to build something meaningful.”
Shama grew up in Abu Dhabi, studied medicine in Malaysia, and completed her medical training while practicing as a physician in Bangladesh. Like many internationally trained physicians, she found herself navigating the uncertainty of what this next chapter in Canada would look like.
She arrived first in Toronto, Ontario, and worked in a variety of roles while getting settled. Still, she was determined to remain connected to healthcare and find a way to use her medical training.
“Deep down, I knew I wasn’t done with clinical care,” she said. “At the time, I had no idea how to begin my licensing journey. It felt overwhelming and uncertain.”
A conversation with a friend who had relocated to Manitoba introduced her to the Clinical Assistant (CA) role, an opportunity she had never previously heard of. Curious and hopeful, she began exploring opportunities.
“Silence. Rejection. More silence,” Shama recalled. Then everything changed.
After completing her medical licensing exams in September 2024, Shama made a bold decision.
“That September, just hours after completing a long 6.5-hour exam, I packed up overnight and was on the road to Winnipeg by morning, leaving behind my family, my comfort zone, and the familiar rhythm of life in Ontario.”
“Ironically, I’ve always been a meticulous planner,” she added. “But this time, I had no plan. Just an unshakable feeling that this was the right move.”
“And it turned out to be the best move of my life,” she shared.
Once she arrived in Winnipeg, Shama was more determined than ever. She walked into clinics near where she was staying to personally drop off her resume, while continuing to apply online.
Her persistence paid off. Today, Shama practices in Family Medicine Inpatient and Urgent Care at Victoria General Hospital, where she has been working for more than a year.
“Every single day, I feel grateful — to God, to my family, and to the incredible colleagues who support and inspire me,” she said. “Medicine, once again, feels like home.”
“There’s something deeply fulfilling about practicing with empathy, contributing meaningfully to patient care, and supporting supervising physicians in solving everything from small clinical puzzles to complex medical challenges.”
She paused, then added, “That sense of purpose? It’s priceless.”
Outside of work, Manitoba itself has also surprised her.
“The natural beauty here is breathtaking. The calmness gives you room to breathe, reflect, and grow,” she shared. “Over the past few months, I’ve explored much of Manitoba, and I’m enjoying the quiet strength and welcoming spirit the province offers.”
Shama has found a renewed sense of purpose in her work, acknowledging the road was not linear or easy, but ultimately worth it. Reflecting on her journey, she shares one piece of advice:
“You only regret the chances you don’t take. Sometimes, the best decisions are the ones you make without a perfect plan — guided by faith, resilience, and the courage to leap.”
With certainty, she added, “When you truly belong in medicine, it finds a way to bring you back home.”
Curious About Your Own Path?
If you are an internationally trained physician exploring opportunities in Manitoba, the Health Care Retention and Recruitment Office is here to support you as you explore pathways to practice in Manitoba. Connect with a dedicated recruitment specialist to learn more about Clinical Assistant roles, licensing pathways, and opportunities across the province.
Your next chapter in medicine could begin with a single conversation. Connect with a recruiter today!