SASKATOON — Dr. Amy Li won gold at the 2026 College of Medicine convocation ceremony. She speaks about her award, what her next chapter holds, and advice for the incoming medical students.
Dr. Li (MD) received the Lindsay Gold Medal in recognition of her outstanding academic achievement at the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Medicine during her convocation on Thursday, June 4. The medal is presented to the graduate with the most outstanding academic achievement in all four years of training in the medical doctor (MD) program.
“Receiving the Lindsay Gold Medal was incredibly meaningful and humbling to me,” said Li. “Throughout medical school, my primary focus was on learning and applying as much as I could, so to have that effort recognized in this way was very special.”
“Even more so, I see this award as a reflection of the people around me who helped me grow, as I would not be where I am today without the support of my family, peers, teachers, and mentors. It also reinforces for me the importance of consistency, curiosity, and hard work, which I will continue to carry forward into residency and my career.”
Li was born and raised in Ottawa. Her initial passions included piano, dance and the literary arts. Once she reached high school, those interests started to expand.
“Both of my parents were researchers, so I grew up in an environment that emphasized curiosity and critical thinking,” said Li. “Early on, I developed a passion for science in school, because it allows us to explain the world by approaching problems in a structured, logical way.”
“At the same time, I’ve always deeply valued working with people. Medicine felt like the perfect intersection of the two. It allows me to apply scientific thinking to complex problems while also building meaningful relationships with patients.”
Prior to medical school, Li received a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at McGill University. Academic highlights of her undergraduate career include graduating on the dean’s honour list and receiving scholarships and awards. At USask’s College of Medicine, Li continued to excel in her studies.
During her time in the MD program, Li participated in a Dean’s Research Project looking at sex-based differences in acute heart failure and later presented her work at the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit in Ottawa. She was also awarded the Dr. Harold Prokopishyn scholarship, given to the learner with the highest-grade point average in their year, and the Gregory A. Stillwell Memorial Scholarship, given to a learner with the highest mark in medical microbiology.
Reflecting on her favourite moment during her time at USask, Li shared, “I’m so grateful for the incredible sense of community here at USask. Especially as a student based in Regina with about 40 students, our class was very tight-knit. There was a strong culture of supporting one another—whether that meant sharing study resources, reminding each other about deadlines, or practicing clinical skills together.”
“A specific memory that stands out is preparing for our end-of-year OSCEs [Objective Structured Clinical Examinations]. My friends and I would spend hours in exam rooms, taking turns acting as simulated patients, working through clinical scenarios, and giving each other feedback. Despite the stress of these exams, there was so much laughter as well. It was a good reminder that medicine may be hard, but it’s also fun. Those are the kinds of moments I will look back on most fondly in years to come.”
Li will be completing her residency in internal medicine at the University of Ottawa. Thinking ahead to what the next chapter holds, she’s looking forward to how residency will draw on both the academic and personal interests she started to develop in high school.
“[Internal medicine] really encapsulates the analytical side of medicine. By synthesizing knowledge across organ systems, I am able to help some of the most vulnerable, complex patients,” said Li. “I’m especially looking forward to increasing my role in teaching and mentorship as a resident.”
“Since high school, I’ve taught dance and tutored academics to students of all ages. I love teaching because I enjoy the process of breaking down complex concepts into something clear and approachable. I find it deeply rewarding to be part of students’ growth as they begin to understand concepts, develop confidence, and succeed.”
She added, “Throughout medical school, I benefited tremendously from residents who took the time to explain their reasoning, answered questions about career planning, and gave me feedback that pushed me to grow. Their impact shaped the kind of physician I want to become, and I’m excited to be able to pay that forward.”
When it comes to advice that she would pass on to incoming MD students, Li shared what was most helpful for her.
“One piece of advice that stuck with me was to focus on understanding the “how” and the “why” in medicine, rather than just memorizing. It’s easy to get caught up in the volume of information, but taking a step back to see how every concept connects makes a big difference, and it becomes much easier to apply that knowledge to meaningful patient care,” said Li.
“I would also remind them to be kind to themselves. Medical school is full of ups and downs. There will be times when you have to relearn things you’ve forgotten, and there will be times when you make mistakes. Those moments can feel discouraging, but they’re an essential part of learning. Medicine isn’t about getting everything right the first time. It’s about continuously reflecting, improving, and building on your experiences. Ultimately, I believe in showing yourself the same compassion you aim to show your patients.”
Dr. Li would like to provide the following acknowledgements and recognitions:
First, I want to recognize my classmates. I was fortunate to be part of an incredible cohort, and I continue to be inspired by their resilience, passion, and commitment to their patients. I’m so proud of how far we’ve all come since starting medical school.
I would also like to recognize my mentors and preceptors. They took the time to guide me, push me outside my comfort zone, and help me develop both my clinical reasoning and my confidence.
Finally, I want to thank my family, friends, and partner for their unwavering support throughout my training. Having a strong foundation outside of medicine helped me stay grounded through the highs and lows of medical school.
Looking back, I am deeply grateful for the strong sense of community that welcomed me with open arms upon moving to Saskatchewan. I would not be who I am today without all of the incredible people I’ve met who have loved, supported and encouraged me.
— Submitted by USask Media Relations
