We welcome Dr Mélissandre Noël to IMC Holland Village (previously Jelita). We thought we’d take this opportunity to get to know her a bit better.
Q: Dr Meli, welcome to IMC. Where were you practicing previously?
Thank you for the warm welcome! I am so excited to join the wonderful IMC team! I have recently relocated to Singapore and before that, I was practicing in Vancouver, Canada. I had my own full service family practice in a clinic that was very similar to IMC. The majority of my patients were families with young children or teenagers, and I was also delivering babies, which I loved! I was also a part time Youth Clinic Physician, meaning that I would run clinics specifically for youth aged 12 to 24 who would come to get mental, sexual and reproductive health services.
Q: What do you think about Singapore so far?
Although it is very different from Vancouver, I love Singapore! The heat and humidity do take a bit of getting used to, but it beats 6 months of constant rain for sure! I am also a bit of a foodie and I love exploring all the hawker centers and tasting wonderful local dishes. The expat community and locals alike have been really welcoming and it has been easy to make friends.
Q: Where do you call home?
This is a bit of a tricky question. Although I lived in Vancouver for the past 7 years and it became my home, a big piece of my heart will always be in Montreal where I was born and raised, and where my family still lives. This is where I go to visit family, so I guess this is my true home!
Q: If you could have a dinner party with three other guests – who would they be?
One of the most important people in my life is my grandmother. She is 93 years old and such an amazing person. She was born and raised in rural Canada in the early 20th century, and you wouldn’t believe the stories she has to tell. She is a strong woman, a true feminist and she would be the life of the party over a good meal! I would also invite Nelson Mandela if he was still alive, as I believe he personifies the tolerance and open mindedness our world needs today. My third guest would be a 16 or 17 year old teenager, as I believe they have such passion, incredible dreams and that anything is still possible at that age. They are our future and they deserve to be heard!
Q: What is your favorite aspect of being a Doctor?
The reason why I became a Doctor, and in particular a Family Doctor, is to be able to build long term relationships with people. Seeing a tiny newborn become a lively child and turn into a passionate teenager or a young woman become a new mom is so rewarding, and being a part of that journey is a privilege.
Q: Where did you complete Med School?
I studied medicine at the University of Montreal in Montreal, Canada. I then completed my residency training in Family Medicine in Vancouver, at the University of British Columbia.
Q: What three words sum up your style as a Doctor?
Compassionate, Involved, Partner
