Dr. Chantal (CJ) Allan’s path to medicine wasn’t linear. She initially pursued a combined business and chemistry degree, envisioning a future in pharmaceuticals. During a summer work term, she found herself watching surgical videos online. This coincided with her own experience as a patient, culminating in a diagnosis of celiac disease. “I found myself yearning for something more than the path I was on,” she says. In hindsight, those videos feel telling. “Looking back,” she adds, “they were probably a clear sign I would become a surgeon.”
Originally from Ontario, Dr. Allan came to Alberta to pursue an athletic career in curling. She stayed for medical school and quickly found her footing. The University of Alberta became her sole exposure to urology during training, shaped in part by a late specialty switch and pandemic-related elective restrictions. “Our urology centre has state-of-the-art facilities and a team I enjoyed working with on elective,” she says in regards to her choice to continue with residency training in Alberta.
Residency, however, has not been easy. Dr. Allan is candid about the toll of training, particularly during the pandemic. “I’ve found residency very challenging in many ways,” she says. What carried her through was a growing commitment to leading change, even when it meant taking on more. Working on initiatives that improved patient care and workplace culture gave her a sense of purpose and momentum.
Training in a male-dominated specialty has also shaped her growth. Dr. Allan describes learning to adopt more direct and confident communication styles, while also recognizing the value of intuition and empathy. “I’ve gained a deep understanding that both sets of traits have an important role in the workplace,” she says, “especially for surgeons.”
Work-life balance remains a work in progress. Dr. Allan is frank about not always having the capacity to maintain interests outside medicine and cautions against the pressure to “do it all” during residency. As she’s become more senior, she’s found renewed energy through medical leadership, particularly her involvement with PARA. “Resident advocacy brings me a profound sense of satisfaction,” she says. “That positive energy sustains me.”
Her engagement with PARA has been central to her training experience. From member to council representative to board member, Dr. Allan has seen firsthand how advocacy translates into real change. She credits PARA with helping her navigate work-life balance conversations, understand the Resident Physician Agreement and create tangible improvements in her workplace. As co-lead of the Association of Out Surgeons and Allies Local Edmonton chapter, which began as a PARA wellness grant, she’s watched the Department of Surgery become a more visibly supportive space for LGBTQ2S+ individuals. “This has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my residency,” she says.
Looking ahead, Dr. Allan is clear about what needs to change. She points to the growing evidence that current duty hours harm both patients and physicians, calling for modernized restrictions, scheduled breaks and fairer compensation. She also imagines a future where resident physicians are primarily learners rather than service providers, with care teams structured to support both education and sustainability.
When offering advice to those just starting out, Dr. Allan advises that “showing up as your best self is critical to excellent patient care.” She endorses that sometimes participating in a joyous extracurricular activity can benefit a patient more than working or studying.
Looking ahead, Dr. Allan’s message to the next generation of physicians is rooted in care for both patients and one another. “Healthcare in Canada is at a breaking point,” she says. “When you get the chance to rebuild the system, please care for each other as much as you care for those you serve.” She sees real opportunity to reshape medicine in a way that allows physicians to provide excellent care while also being supported themselves.
