A Meadowridge Alum's Fight Against Discrimination

It had been twenty years since Dr. Sabreena Johal ‘02 (née Gill) last set foot on campus, yet her former teacher, Ms. Cindy Hops, remembered her well. As they met again for the first time, they immediately started chatting and catching up. 

After a few minutes of conversation, a smile took over Ms. Hops’ face. “You know,” she beamed, “your compassion and care were always so immense.” Often, it’s our teachers who see something in us before we see it in ourselves. Sabreena had never realized just how much these traits had influenced her life and helped her along the way.

Sabreena had always been a bright student—it’s why her parents initially enrolled her at Meadowridge School and later why she pursued a medical degree to become a doctor—but she never saw herself as a leader. Her path to leadership was less deliberate, brought about instead by the compassion and care Ms. Hops had seen in her all those years ago. 

Hired as a Medical Doctor at the Canadian High Commission in London, UK, Sabreena encountered serious issues she couldn’t ignore. Her caring nature earned her the trust of her coworkers, who felt safe enough to share their concerns. Her compassion made it impossible not to act. Sabreena is now a doctor by day and an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion by night. 

Take us back a few years. How did you end up at Meadowridge?
I joined Meadowridge School in the sixth grade. Things were coming too quick to me in class when I was in public school, and I needed more of a challenge. My sister was already here, so I especially wanted to join. I absolutely loved it.

What was the school like back then?
There were people from all over, not just from communities like Langley and Vancouver but also countries like Mexico and South Korea. Because the school was small, I could interact with students in my grade as well as with younger and older students. This developed strong relationships, and there are still many people, all these years later, that I talk to. I feel like I can reach out to anyone from Meadowridge, even decades later. Living alongside people from different backgrounds and ages changed me. It changed my outlook.

Where did life take you after Meadowridge?
I initially wanted to pursue medical journalism but changed course. After graduating from Meadowridge, I attended the University of British Columbia, followed by the Ross University School of Medicine. After that, I took what I thought would be a short trip to London, UK, where I met my now-husband. I ended up finishing my medical residency in the UK, then worked in National Health Service for 11 years before starting my current position as an Embassy Medical Doctor.

“I wasn’t looking to become an advocate but was thrust into it. I started speaking out against bullying and harassment and on behalf of people who didn’t feel they had a voice.”
 

Tell us about that. Why did you make the switch?
The job for the Regional Medical Officer for the Canadian High Commission in London came up on my LinkedIn. There was a bilingual requirement, so I didn't think I would be hired. I had developed a solid French command at Meadowridge but had not spoken it since. Well, my Meadowridge French education was good enough, and I got the job! It was quite a competitive process with French and English exams and a bilingual component to the interview. 

Tell us about the position. What do you do in a day?
As the Regional Medical Officer in London I provide immigration medical assessments in support of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Program at the Canadian High Commission. I review, evaluate, and assess immigration medical examinations from over 100 countries for all types of immigration applications and refugees. The immigration medical generally includes a full medical history with specialist treatment letters, examination findings, x-rays as well as various laboratory results. My main role is to screen for infectious diseases and evaluate risk associated to public health and public safety to determine medical admissibility. I also participate in research, data analysis, panel physician management and quality assurance activities. I went from seeing upwards of 50 patients in a day to a non-patient facing role.

How did you fall into the advocacy work that you're now involved in?
I am naturally very friendly and talk to everyone, so when I started in my new role, people started coming to me and sharing their concerns. I wasn't looking to become an advocate but was thrust into it. I started speaking out against bullying and harassment and on behalf of people who didn't feel they had a voice. After some time in my new position, I also experienced and saw discrimination amongst staff and to some extent, in our policies, in my opinion. I couldn't sit by idly and not do anything. 

You mention falling into this unintentionally. How so?
I think anyone who has ever worked or gone to school with me would be shocked to see how much my confidence has developed and how outspoken I have become. I felt naturally inclined to do my advocacy work when I realized others were turning to me for personal or professional support. I never thought of myself as a leader, but now I realize that leadership is an innate skill—it took me over 30 years to know I had any leadership qualities at all! I was never one to really push the boundary. But in our current social climate, leading difficult conversations that others cannot is imperative. It's one thing to see or hear harmful things, but being complacent can make one just as complicit.

What are some of the ways your advocacy is taking shape?
In my personal time, I write letters and meet with MPs and departmental heads. I also write proposals to implement diversity and inclusion principles and actively participate in global government town halls. I also carried out my own research into investigations of misconduct and wrongdoing. I presented my findings to senior government officials, garnering attention as a whistle-blower, and a federal inquiry took place soon after- possibly a coincidence!

Already, you've enacted some change! Tell us about that.
These initiatives have spotlighted major failings in our government systems, and steps are being taken to reform management training and recruitment, highlight the need for accountability, and increase employee morale. Initiatives are also in place to eradicate bullying and harassment.

“It was only in looking back that I realized how supportive the [Meadowridge] school community was. It is the kind of support that is rare to find as an adult”
 

It takes a tremendous amount of courage to do this. What do you attribute this to? 
Working as a doctor developed my ability to communicate and empathize with people from all walks of life, including children, older people, and refugees. Each patient consultation was unique. During my time in the ER, I would have a patient from Somalia, Iraq, or Kazakhstan, and then the son or daughter of an MP or an actor next. Though brief, these interactions all had one thing in common: no matter their background, every patient just wanted to be listened to. There was so much common ground between the diverse groups. 

How so?
I think one of the most common frustrations we face as patients—even I have to be a patient sometimes!—is the feeling that we are being brushed off. It happened to me, and it's very unfortunate. Despite the pressures of working in an overstretched universal healthcare system, I learned that a little goes a long way. The ability to ascertain patients' ideas, concerns, and expectations does not take much effort; it helps me as their physician and helps them. Never underestimate the power of listening and empowering someone to voice their concerns, whether it means something to you or not. It meant a great deal to me if my patients understood their clinical problems and how to manage them, empowering them to make informed decisions and take more control of their health.

What about your personal life? How have your upbringing and experiences shaped you?
I am the daughter of immigrant Indian labourers and am only now realizing how privileged my upbringing was. I wasn't financially privileged but instead had the privilege of belonging. At Meadowridge, I never had to think about my skin colour, background, or socio-economic standing. Unfortunately, it was the only time in my life that these social constructs did not exist. That's a real privilege. It was only in looking back that I realized how supportive the school community was. It is the kind of support that is rare to find as an adult because the pool of understanding is depleted and replaced by divisive, isolated opinions generated through the influence of social media rather than genuine interaction and lived experience.

As you look ahead, where do you see yourself next?
I recently obtained my medical license in Ontario, Canada. I plan to do some clinical work in Ontario while continuing my work as a regional medical officer in the UK. I may also become more involved with politics in Canada. In the long term, I would like to work at the heart of the Ottawa government, especially in policy making. I am considering becoming an MP one day.

Of course, you're more than just a doctor, advocate, and MP hopeful; you're also a mother and wife. What does life outside of work look like?
My husband is from the UK, and our three children were born in London. Together, we have a nine-year-old daughter and six-year-old identical twin boys. We travel a lot as a family, and I spend most of my downtime cooking and baking. My favourite place on earth is The Maldives, but Meadowridge didn't teach me anything about this place!

Any final words of wisdom?
Supporting others should be seen as a real privilege and honour. It has taken me nearly my entire lifetime to become who I am today. Still, I didn't even know the kind of person I could be until it happened. I will always be grateful for my time at Meadowridge, which has shaped who I am today and provided me with opportunities I would unlikely have had growing up at that time. I am sincerely grateful and pridefully reflect on my time at Meadowridge. It was there that I realized I could have a life outside of Maple Ridge.