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The Ocs’ Continued from page 27 2D care and surgical assistance at the hospital, Kerri also teaches medical students by allowing them to shadow her in her practice. “It’s nice to give back and be a teach- er for once,” she says, “especially after being a student for so long.” Kerri was granted her first opportunity to work in medicine in grade 13. For her co-op program she was able to work in the hospital doing obstetrics, which is a practice that focuses on caring for women and their babies during pregnancy. But, she soon realized it wasn’t the right fit for her, explaining that when working in obstetrics, “You are missing a huge part of the life cycle. You deliver a baby and then you might never see that child grow up.” She decided that working as a family doctor was more appropriate for her. “A family practitioner al- lowed me to do everything, to see it all, to be a part of my patient's lives for the whole journey,” she explains. “And I enjoy the variety that comes from having all types of people in my practice,” she adds, referring to her treatment of men, women and children. Kerri began her medical training at McMaster Uni- versity and she completed her ‘rural residency’ program (work placement in hospital/clinic) out of the Univer- sity of Toronto. While her first year of residency was spent rotating among Toronto’s hospitals, she decided to come to Port Perry, like many of the other ‘Docs,’ for her second year of residency. Even though she “absolutely loved it in Port Perry” she moved to Mount Albert to practice and be with her husband who worked as a paramedic in the area. In hopes of returning one day, she decided to continue to work in emergency in the hospital as a way of staying “linked to Port Perry.”.5._ ————+——_____—_ But Kerri says she “| enjoy the variety “always missed being in Port Perry.” After that comes from her daughter was having all types of born, they decided to move back and “there people in my was no looking back!” practice.” she assures, Dr. Kerri Best The family settled in Port Perry, but with the birth of her son, practicing in emergency became too Dr. Kerri Best Kerri decided, especially after witnessing how valu- able life is through her work, family needed to come first. She wanted to be more involved in her children’s lives and so she decided to dedicate some of her time to estab- lishing “a presence in their school,” through volunteer- ing in the classroom, assisting teachers and reading to students. Aside from working in the classroom, Kerri is also secretary of the parent council at S. A. Cawker School and she is heavily involved in developing a program called Mothers i in Touch, which happens to run in many hard. “I felt like I had to be ‘supermom,’ “Tt was difficult but I realized as Pe mnuch as my career as a doctor has its place, it’s not most important.” 30 FOCUS - OCTOBER 2010 ind branches off according to school. “The hardest part is s finding the time, but I’m determined!” she insists. Mothers in Touch, she explains, “Allows moms to