Meet Class of 2024 Valedictorian, Dr. Bradley Kaminski

Dr. Bradley Kaminski, has been named valedictorian of the Anesthesia Graduating Class of 2024. He sat down with our team to share his reflections on residency, plans for the future, and to offer advice to incoming residents!

Congratulations on being named valedictorian! How did it feel to be recognized by your peers in this way?

Thank you so much! It’s an immense privilege to represent such a talented group of residents, and it came as a bit of a surprise. I hope I can do the role justice and give a speech that’s worthy of all the hard work my peers put in over the last five years!

Let’s go back a few years. What inspired you to pursue a career in anesthesia?

Anesthesia wasn’t initially my first choice. I just didn’t really get enough face time with the specialty  during medical school! I actually started my training in internal medicine but soon discovered that my passion was acute care and the hands-on elements of medicine. I had the chance to work in conjunction with anesthesia residents and attendings during this time and increasingly felt drawn to transition into anesthesia. When the opportunity arose, I took it!

Now that your time as an anesthesia resident is over, are there any highlights from your time in the program that you can share with us?

That’s a tough question to answer because there’s a plethora of tough cases I could list as highlights of practice; that’s the beauty of UofT anesthesia. However, one standout moment was recently, when I had the opportunity to return to Toronto Western Hospital as a senior resident for a month. I had last been there for OR-based anesthesia as a PGY1. It was a full-circle, nostalgic moment that vividly showcased my growth throughout my residency. Beyond the cases themselves, the more social aspects that come with residency—the friendships with fellow residents and staff—made it truly an enjoyable ride! 

What’s next for you?

I’m heading to British Columbia to work as a staff anesthesiologist in a community hospital in the Interior. As many of my friends can attest, I’m an avid outdoorsman, and even though I’ve been living in Toronto throughout my residency, I’m a small-town man at heart. I’m very much looking forward to the transition with my lovely wife, and I encourage future graduates to consider spending time in more rural centres, whether through electives or locums, to see if both the community and practice fit their career and lifestyle goals.

What advice would you share with incoming or new residents?

The first six months can be daunting; you’re going to constantly be asked about your 'considerations' for cases, a buzzword for how you’re going to safely deliver your anesthetic to this complex patient, while you’re just trying to put your endotracheal tube in the right spot. It can be easy to feel like a fish out of water. Imposter syndrome can be real. But don’t worry—those feelings fade with time as your confidence grows. Embrace every learning opportunity and feedback, positive or negative, as they shape you into a competent physician. By the time you reach your own graduation, you’ll be able to look back and truly reflect on how far you’ve come!