Jossana Bishay (Respiratory Therapy, ’25), the recipient of this year’s prestigious Dr. Diana Michener Schatz Scholarship Award, has found growth and inspiration through every twist and turn of her journey to healthcare.
“Over time I learned to not take too much control of things, watch for opportunities and see what happens,” she says. “As it turns out, I’ve ended up in a career that’s 10,000 times better than I could have imagined.”
Jossana’s inspiration to pursue healthcare came from her parents, starting with her father who was a doctor in Egypt. She grew up with a passion for medicine.
After completing a Bachelor of Science, followed by a Master of Science in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto, Jossana worked as a research technician. A couple years later, as she faced challenges pursuing a career as a physician, she researched other avenues into patient-centered care.
When Jossana first discovered the field of respiratory therapy and Michener, she saw great potential for the profession. “What interested me the most about respiratory therapy is its diversity,” she says.
“It’s like a chameleon of a healthcare field – you could be involved with virtually every single field, work with a variety of populations and advance into other careers with this background.”
Jossana says she was able to apply her learnings firsthand when her mother became ill and entered the hospital. As she attended classes, practiced her clinical skills and studied for her exams, she also spent weeks visiting her mother at the hospital. Jossana communicated with the healthcare team, helped inform important clinical decisions and took care of her mother whenever she was home.
Her education in the program helped Jossana become resourceful, not only within the hospital setting but also in accessing healthcare resources in the community.
With a heavy heart, Jossana shares that her mother passed away at the beginning of her clinical placement. She says she is thankful for her instructors and the staff at Michener for the incredible support and patience they provided her.
Jossana credits her mom as her biggest inspiration and says losing her was the hardest thing she has ever had to endure. However, even amidst this tragedy, she says she wants to use her experience to help her become the best respiratory therapist she can be.
“Although it was a very difficult and challenging time, it also made me more determined in my pursuit of respiratory therapy,” she says. “I was able to apply my learnings to help educate my family along the way and to advocate on my mother’s behalf.”
“It reaffirmed my passion for this field and has given me a better understanding and more compassion for my patients and their families, since I have been where they are.”
The Schatz Award highlights a student who has undertaken a career transition while exemplifying academic excellence. Jossana says she is deeply appreciative and honoured to have received an award that recognizes a strong female leader in healthcare, directly from Dr. Schatz’s daughter herself.
“When Dr. Schatz’s daughter came to speak and share about her mom, her love for her and her great contributions, it struck a personal tone with me,” Jossana says. “It has really inspired me to try and do the same for my patients and the profession.”