Resident Physician of the Month

Adult Neurology
University of  Alberta

I completed both my undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Anthropology, followed by my medical education in Calgary. I am fortunate to be pursuing Neurology at the University of Alberta, where I am currently a second-year resident. Since moving, Edmonton has quickly become my second home! This is no surprise, considering how supportive my co-residents and staff are. There is not a day without laughter and jokes, making residency fun, even during the busiest times. When I am not in the hospital, you will find me in coffee shops with friends. After spending much of our time reading around cases, you may catch us looking up flights and planning a spontaneous getaway on a weekend free of call shifts. Aside from cafés, traveling (and, of course, shopping), I also love spending time with my family and friends. I would not have made it this far without their love and support, and I am forever grateful to them. I feel very fortunate to receive PARA’s Resident Physician of the Month Award. It has been a privilege to learn from so many outstanding residents and staff across a myriad of specialties at the UofA, and I am so excited to continue my training in Edmonton!

A colleague shared this about Dr. Ebdalla:

"Aya is an outstanding clinician and friend. Her mature clinical instincts, despite being early on in her training, have helped her identify sick patients and she has played an instrumental role in making complex neurological diagnoses. She is reliable and an excellent team player, always trying to help her colleagues and never loses sight of the overarching goal. Her degree of insight and perspective is rare as an R1 and is a model for those she works with. There are countless times where she has stayed back after group rounds to take the time to explain a diagnosis to a patient’s family, and continuously goes the extra mile to help her patients. In addition, she is an important confidante and sounding board for her peers, both informally and formally with her involvement in the program’s wellness committee. We are so thankful for everything you do, Aya! It is refreshing to have someone like Aya within the Adult Neurology program at the University of Alberta. Despite being extremely diligent, knowledgeable, and professional, she has a mature approach to residency and makes it a point to prioritize family and friends. It is not uncommon for her to finish a gruelling night on call and hop on to a bus so that she can see her family in Calgary (especially her newborn nephew). It is important for the next generation of residents to see her example as a hardworking and skilled clinician who strikes a great balance between her personal and professional life. She has only been a part of the program for a year but has already made an impact through her warmth, collegiality, and contributions through the wellness committee. As a friend, she has been an immense support and will make an amazing mentor as she progresses through her training. We are truly fortunate to have Aya as part of our residency program."

The Resident Physician of the Month Award is meant to recognize and reward outstanding resident physicians who make exceptional contributions in their academic field while still maintaining their work/life balance. 

Interested in nominating someone? Fill out the Resident Physician of the Month Award online form.