University students face unique health challenges, and Dr. Dorothy Bakker is one of many health professionals at U of G’s Student Wellness Services who can help. She was recently named Regional Family Physician of the Year by the Ontario College of Physicians in recognition of her work with U of G students since 2001.
“Initially I was humbled,” she says of the honour. “I feel very privileged. I feel pleased with respect to a family physician at a student health clinic being recognized. I think that’s a first.”
The award is peer nominated based on references from colleagues and patients. A committee selects one winner from each of Ontario’s seven regions.
Family physicians who work with students are a “well-kept secret,” she adds, because they fill the void for students who are living away from home and can’t see their own family doctor.
“Students are incredibly fascinating, interesting individuals,” says Bakker. “They are at a very interesting time in their lives where they’re transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. Those emerging adults are discovering and learning about who they are. Sometimes the journey isn’t easy.”
She credits the doctors and nurses who work in Student Wellness Services and other professionals, such as social workers, dietitians, physiotherapists, psychologists and psychiatrists, for providing students with the best quality health care.
“I think it’s extremely important because we all work together with the same objective to not only help students to support them when they’re struggling both physically and mentally, but also to help them grow and develop through those struggles.”
Some students have been her patients throughout their time at Guelph, from their undergraduate degrees to their PhDs. Bakker finds it especially rewarding to see students excel in difficult circumstances. She attributes those success stories to the team approach toward student health and wellness at U of G.
Medicine wasn’t her first choice of professions. As an undergrad at U of G, Bakker studied chemistry and was encouraged by her professors to become a doctor. She spent four summers doing research with Bruce Holub, now professor emeritus in the Department of Human Health and Nutrition, conducting studies on the effects of omega-three supplements on kidney disease patients (the researchers found the supplements helped lower cholesterol).
She then spent 10 years in community family practice before joining U of G. Bakker also teaches at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University, where she recently received a grant to study mindfulness training for family medicine residents to help them cope with stress.
Mental health is one of her areas of interest, giving students skills and resources to help them cope. “The majority of students I see have problems with anxiety — lots of anxiety.” She often directs students to non-medical services offered by stress management workshops, Counselling Services, the Learning Commons and program counsellors.
Stress is nothing new to student life, she says, recalling what it was like to be a student herself, but it’s more socially acceptable to talk about mental illness now and more resources are available to deal with it.
“We’re really trying to help students navigate through it. We’re talking about it more now but I still think we have a long way to go in destigmatizing it.”