Gwyneth De Ramos

Gwyneth is a 16-year-old girl, she was born in the Philippines and at the age of 3 she moved to Canada. She is currently a junior student, in grade 11. Despite not having any job experience in STEM, she is very confident in what she wants to be: specifically interested in biology and chemistry, she is taking a grade 11 university path chemistry class, in order to fulfill her dream of becoming an OB/GYN. She strongly advocates for women’s rights and their reproductive freedom and feels even more strongly about creating the type of environment where women can feel comfortable and can thrive in.

Being in Canada, near the United States, are you worried about the election results and the impact it might have on women’s health? Would you say it could affect your country, too?

Being so close to the United States, I do feel a sense of worry after the recent U.S election results and what it could mean for the entirety of women’s health. My worry not only stands for the U.S women population, but for Canada as well. The changes and policies that have been made in the U.S, especially the overturning of Roe V. Wade had a tremendous impact for Canadian citizens. A recent document regarding the Canadian government was released and displayed a tally about each party and their respective MP’s stance on being pro-choice or anti-choice. The tally showed that each member in the conservative party who has a seat voted anti-choice. This is our fight, just as much as it is theirs. When a person in power, especially in a country like the United States of America, enforces restrictive policies related to reproductive freedom and women’s rights, it can fuel similar conversations across the border and pushes us further back on the protections we’ve worked so hard to achieve. I’m really hoping we can avoid those kinds of shifts, but there’s definitely an underlying worry about how much one election could shape women’s rights in North America.

You say you’re interested in chemistry and you’re also taking courses. With chemistry being one the most hated subjects, mainly because of its difficulty, how do you stay motivated in such a fascinating, yet hard, discipline?

I stay motivated in chemistry by focusing on the rewarding parts. What I mean by ‘rewarding parts’ is the small things, such as understanding how things work at a molecular level, or finally memorizing the polyatomic chart. It’s true that chemistry can be challenging and there’s definitely a lot to memorize. Concepts can also be extremely abstract and take a lot of studying to memorize, but what keeps me going is how often chemistry connects to the real world, whether it’s understanding reactions in cooking or seeing its role in medicine, it’s fascinating to see the connection between science and the world. Overall, I simply remind myself that every hard concept mastered is a step closer to achieving my dream career. Chemistry might be tough, but the payoff makes it worth it.

You’re young, or at least younger than me, and you seem to be already very sure of your career path. Was there a turning point or event that made you want to pursue OB/GYN or was it something you’ve just always known? And how important is it to narrow down your interests early on?

I was the type of child who had to have everything planned out and organized. If I didn’t, I would go into a spiral. I mean, at the age of 12, I already knew I wanted to be a doctor and I started searching for scholarships. But, the one thing that wasn’t planned from the very beginning was my eagerness to pursue a career as an OB/GYN. At first, I wanted to be a pediatrician. I loved kids and found them fascinating. That all changed, however, when I had one conversation with my mother. She told me about her experience with giving birth to my younger brother in Canada. For context, she did not naturally birth me, instead she had to have a c-section due to complications. Anyways, when my mother gave birth to my brother, it was not a c-section and instead it was a natural birth. She was anxious, nervous, and had no idea the severe pain she would have to endure. For reasons I may never know, her doctors and nurses were unwelcoming and harsh. Keep in mind, my mother never had to push before. This was an entirely new experience for her. It was frustrating and eye-opening because her story highlighted gaps in women’s healthcare and the need for attentive an empathetic professionals. That experience stuck with me. It made me want to be someone who could provide that missing care for others, someone who could make sure patients feel heard, supported, and well taken care of. It’s a huge motivator in why I want to pursue this field, knowing firsthand the impact compassionate and high-quality care can have. As for narrowing down interests early, I think it depends. Knowing what you’re passionate about can definitely help you set goals and find learning opportunities, but it’s also okay to explore and change paths. Sometimes, discovering what you don’t like is as important as finding what you do like. 

Working in healthcare requires a strong personality, having to interact with sick people, so which personality traits should a doctor have in order to be a “good doctor”?

A good doctor needs a combination of empathy, communication skills, patience, resilience, and a strong work ethic. Empathy allows them to connect with patients on a deeper level, while clear communication ensures patients are informed and heard. Patience is also important when navigating complex or emotional situations and resilience is key when facing challenges. Lastly, a strong work ethic ensures ongoing learning and the best possible care for every patient. These traits are essential for building trust and providing compassionate, effective care, which is what all patients deserve.  

Do you believe gender and cultural differences influence how women receive healthcare and education about reproductive rights?

100%. I believe gender and cultural differences significantly influence how women receive healthcare and education about their reproductive rights. In many cultures, women are expected to prioritize family and caregiving roles over their own health and well-being. This can lead to women neglecting their own health or avoiding seeking medical help, especially for issues like reproductive health. In some cultures, there’s still a stigma around discussing topics like reproductive health, which can lead to misinformation or a lack of education, leaving women without the tools and resources they need to make informed decisions about their bodies. Additionally, the level of education and awareness around reproductive rights varies greatly depending on where a woman lives, her socioeconomic status and the resources available to her. This can limit a woman’s ability to advocate for themselves or access the care they need.

What would you say to inspire more young women to pursue careers in STEM, especially in fields like medicine, where they are still underrepresented?

To the young women who are currently considering careers in STEM, especially in medicine, I would advise you: your potential is limitless. Medicine and other STEM fields need your diverse perspectives, and you are a vital part of that change. The world is evolving, and women have so much to offer in shaping the future of science, healthcare and technology. Don’t let the idea that STEM is a field dominated by men discourage you. History is full of women who broke barriers and changed the world. You can do the exact same, and more.

One last question, this might seem like a joke, but many women have issues with male OB/GYNs claiming it’s weird. What do you think about that? Is it weird for them to pursue this kind of career or is it just work?

I can understand why some women might feel uncomfortable or have issues with seeing male OB/GYNs, especially given the deeply personal nature of the field. However, I don’t think it’s inherently “weird” for men to pursue a career in OB/GYN. Just like any other medical specialty, OB/GYNs are driven by a desire to help people and make a positive impact on their patients' lives. Gender should not be a barrier to anyone’s ability to provide quality care. What matters the most is the doctor's professionalism, expertise, and ability to create a comfortable, respectful environment for their patients. A good OB/GYN, whether male or female, should prioritize patient comfort, empathy, and communication. For some women, having a male OB/GYN may not be ideal, and that’s perfectly valid. I would support their decision to switch doctors if that is the case. There’s no shame in preferring a female doctor for certain types of care. The key is for patients to feel comfortable and respected, and for doctors to understand and acknowledge those concerns.