Paving the way for change

At the tender age of five, Dr. Sukhmeet Singh Sachal felt his calling when his father took him to Pingalwara, a foundation in India for children who are orphaned or have disabilities. Witnessing a physician help a boy his age with a broken arm, he instantly knew he wanted to become a doctor. Over the next two decades, Dr. Sachal’s globetrotting journey into medicine would inspire him to become an advocate on numerous fronts and earn him the prestigious role of a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeeper - an honour bestowed upon individuals making positive change. 

Here, Dr. Sachal, a resident physician at St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s), shares his thoughts and passion for making a difference.

Why did you choose to become a doctor? 
Dr. Sachal: Being a doctor fits very well with the values and philosophy of my family and my Sikh religion. Our main pillar is called Seva, which means selfless community service. Caring for others and giving back to the community have always been part of who I am.
  
What have been the highlights of your journey to residency?
Dr. Sachal: My journey to becoming a doctor, starting with emigrating from India to Canada at the age of eight, had its challenges. Despite facing bullying for my accent and culture, it fueled my passion for advocacy. I founded a friendship club in elementary school to encourage intercultural exchange among students from diverse backgrounds. Remarkably, the club still exists in the school today.

Years later, I co-founded the Break the Divide Foundation, connecting youth nationwide for mental health and climate action. Recently, I created the Sikh Health Foundation to enhance health interventions in Canadian South Asian communities with a cultural focus.

How does it feel to be named one of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeepers? 
Dr. Sachal: It’s an honour and truly aligns with my personal goal of helping the most people possible. That’s what I’ve always focused on in my community work – to work with people on the ground being impacted by issues and working together to mitigate the problem.

Why did you decide to come to London and St. Joseph’s?
Dr. Sachal: In 2019, I pursued my Master of Public Health at Western University and loved the city and the institution. I was also impressed by the international reputation of St. Joseph’s Roth McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre (HULC) and the complex patients they treat. I recently completed a plastic surgery rotation at HULC and learned so much. I hope to use this knowledge to help people heal.

Q. Where do you see yourself in the future? 
Dr. Sachal: I still have a few years of my residency and look forward to exploring the various aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery. It’s a specialty that offers an opportunity to focus on an issue of great importance to me – gender equality. As a plastic surgeon, I see a future in making a difference for women who have been impacted physically and mentally by violence. If I can work alongside women and survivors who have suffered disfigurement by offering the option of reconstructive surgery – that’s a community service I would love to pursue.

So far, St. Joseph's has been a great institution for me because of the organization’s commitment to the wellness of patients and physicians and focus on community health and partnerships. I am excited to see where I end up with the training I receive here.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeepers are a global collective of diverse changemakers who live all over the world and represent an eclectic range of cultures, professions and interests. As a community, they are committed to achieving the “17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development," an ambitious blueprint for reimagining a better future for all by 2030, as agreed upon by all member states of the United Nations.