Deep French roots
“I love our Francophone cohort!” says a smiling Nina Kucheran, who began her studies at the Faculty (MD 28) in September 2024. “We’re close, supportive and see each other outside of class. We have an outstanding environment here for making our medical studies a success!” Returning to Canada and immersing herself in a Francophone cohort at the University of Ottawa has proven to be a veritable linguistic and cultural renaissance for Nina.
Nina grew up in Sudbury in a family with deep Francophone roots. Her paternal grandparents live in Kapuskasing, a small French-speaking community in northern Ontario. Her grandmother, Anne Lyn Kucheran, inspired Nina through her determination to get an education to become a teacher, despite the expectations of society at that time. As a French teacher of special needs students, she has always believed in the value of knowledge and perseverance. She encouraged her beloved Nina to cultivate her Francophone heritage, even in far-off Florida.
A brilliant swimming career
Before diving into the world of medicine, Nina shone in the world of swimming, first in Sudbury and then as a member of the Florida Gators at the University of Florida, where her remarkable performances earned her a scholarship. A three-time qualifier for the Canadian Olympic trials (2016, 2021 and 2024), she was a two-time All-American (recognized as one of the best in her discipline across the United States) and holds several University of Florida records, notably in the 100 m breaststroke, 200 m breaststroke and the 4x200 m and 400 m medley relays. Those successes capped an outstanding university career, which also included a bronze medal in the 4x100 m medley relay at the World University Games in 2019 and a silver medal in the 200 m breaststroke at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships that same year.
The years spent in the United States, though intense and formative, came at a cost: “I was afraid of losing my French,” Nina says. “I would call my grandmother every week, and she would admonish me, gently, about the way I spoke.”
Nina’s cultural roots continued to be an important part of her life, even when her sporting career took her away from her home country.
“I was often the only Franco-Ontarian in junior competitions, and I was proud of that,” Nina recalls. In high school, she was a spokesperson for FitSpirit, an organization that encourages teenage girls to be physically active throughout their lives. Now back in Ontario for a few months already after six years in Florida, Nina has decided to dedicate herself again to the cause as a FitSpirit ambassador. Drawing on her experiences as an athlete and her passion for healthy living, Nina leads training sessions for young girls.
“The most precious things are the ones you work really hard for. I’m proud to be involved in ventures that benefit not only me, but also others.” That philosophy, summed up by one of her favourite quotes (“We rise by lifting others”), is her guide every step of the way.
Top-level sport and medicine: common requirements
Nina also uses the hardships she has had to overcome, such as not qualifying for the Olympic Games, to come to grips with her present and future.
"In 2016, I was only 15 at the Olympic trials, and it was one of my first major national competitions.
In 2021, I came in fourth in the trials, less than a second off the two qualifying places. In 2024, I was ill during the qualifiers,” Nina recalls. “Not fulfilling that dream came as a shock. But looking back, I realize how much those experiences have given me. They taught me to accept failure and build resilience — valuable lessons that are with me today and will undoubtedly give me clearer insights into my future patients’ trials and tribulations.”
It was that very discipline and ability to bounce back from challenges that led Nina to choose medicine. “I love meeting new people, interacting with others and sharing. Those are things that drove me when I was swim team captain,” Nina says.
With a degree in exercise physiology and a master’s in applied physiology and kinesiology, Nina sees medicine as a continuation of her interest in the human body and the quest to push one’s boundaries.
“What I like best is the challenge and the constant learning. In medicine, as in sports, you set goals and work hard to achieve them.”
uOttawaMed to reconnect with French
In search of more French in her daily life, Nina jumped at the opportunity to leave Florida for a new adventure. She naturally chose the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine, world-renowned for its excellence in French-language teaching.
“It’s a homecoming for me. The courses are wonderful, and so are my classmates. Besides inspiring me, they help me speak French outside the classroom.”
Nina Kucheran
— MD 28 student
Keen to strengthen ties within her student community and promote healthy living, Nina and a friend started a non-competitive running club open to all medical students. Every week, she organizes outings in which everyone runs at their own pace, in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. “It’s a way for us to let off steam together, chat outside the classroom and take care of our physical and mental well-being,” she explains. As well as being a sporting activity dear to Nina, who gets up at six every morning to exercise before class, the running club is a way of forging ties and promoting solidarity in the face of the demanding challenges of studying medicine.
Nina also gets tremendous inspiration from her classmates. “My colleagues at the Faculty are incredibly inspiring. Just like in a sports team, we’re a real community, close-knit and supportive, and we push on together.”
In choosing the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine, Nina opted for the world’s largest bilingual French-English university, an ideal setting for improving her French while pursuing her medical training.
Convinced that language plays an essential role in the quality of care, she hopes to build a practice in French in order to provide her patients with appropriate and respectful support. “Preserving my cultural identity and one day being able to provide care in French to my patients is essential. Language is an integral part of the relationship of trust between doctor and patient.”
Nina hopes to inspire young Francophones to pursue their dreams while remaining true to their culture. “Cultivate your roots and celebrate them. They’ll help you strive for excellence, whether in sports, academics or elsewhere.”
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