For Dia Gonzales, Clinical Placement Coordinator at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN, supporting students as they transition into clinical environments is both meaningful work and a responsibility she takes seriously.

As one of two coordinators in Michener’s Clinical Education office, Dia helps facilitate clinical placements for students across several programs, ensuring they have the opportunities and support they need as they prepare to enter the healthcare workforce.

“We support the placement process for students who are going into clinical environments,” she explains. “It’s about helping coordinate those experiences and ensuring students are able to move from their academic learning into real clinical practice.”

While Dia works in healthcare education today, her journey into the field was not a traditional one.

“My educational background is not in a health profession or health sciences,” she says. “I came into this work through a number of years building professional experience, as well as a desire to explore new opportunities.”

Before joining Michener, Dia spent more than a decade working in the education sector, including roles supporting health sciences programs. That experience ultimately led her to Michener, where she found a strong alignment between her professional background and her passion for supporting students.

“I believe organizations are strongest when people with varied backgrounds and experiences come together to work toward a common goal,” she says. “That diversity of perspectives is incredibly important.”

For Dia, working in healthcare education also means recognizing the many ways individuals can contribute to a larger mission.

“I’ve found Michener to be a supportive environment for people with different journeys and professional backgrounds,” she says. “That openness allows people to bring their full experiences into the work.”

As the world marks International Women’s Day, Dia reflects on the idea that progress often happens through everyday contributions rather than singular defining moments.

“Millions of women are making meaningful contributions every day,” she says. “It’s often the day to day decisions, actions, the relationships we build, and the effort we put into supporting others that ultimately create change.”

She believes that meaningful impact often comes through relationships and collaboration.

“When you invest in relationships and share your knowledge, skills, and perspective, you’re contributing not just professionally, but to the wider community,” she says.

Throughout her career, Dia has been influenced by women who created supportive environments where diverse voices were welcomed.

“Some of the most important mentors I’ve had were women leaders who created space for others to participate and share their perspectives,” she says. “They encouraged people to have a voice and a seat at the table.”

She also credits her early life experiences with shaping her outlook. Growing up, Dia lived in several different countries due to her father’s work, an experience that exposed her to diverse cultures and perspectives from a young age.

“That early exposure to different communities helped shape how I approach relationships and collaboration,” she says.

For women entering healthcare, Dia believes success is often built through small but meaningful moments.

“Meeting everyday moments is what defines remarkable,” she says. “Finding your voice can take courage, but it’s important to engage, share your thoughts, and contribute in ways that are respectful and open to others’ perspectives.”

She encourages women early in their careers to recognize the opportunities present in even the smallest interactions.

“You never know what opportunities may come from the relationships you build,” she says. “Every interaction is a chance to learn, grow, and connect with someone.”

Above all, Dia believes that contributing with sincerity, respect and openness can have a lasting impact.

“There are so many small opportunities to contribute to change,” she says. “If you approach each day with a willingness to help, listen and support others, those moments can add up in powerful ways.”

For Dia, supporting students as they prepare for clinical placements remains one of the most rewarding parts of her role.

“Even if I can’t mentor students in their specific clinical disciplines, I can still offer support, advice, and guidance,” she says. “Sometimes it’s the small things like helping a student navigate placements concerns, the process itself is what can make a difference.”

Those everyday efforts, she believes, are what ultimately help shape the next generation of healthcare professionals “rising to meet moments where you can do whatever is possible for you to do to contribute, is what defines everyday remarkable, even though sometimes those moments don’t seem noteworthy or monumental”.