Our team
Audrey Anne Desjardins
Head of Internal Affairs | Medical Student at UdeM class of 2024 | Cofounder of the project
As a medical student at the University of Montreal, i believe it’s crucial to be involved in our community! As the co-coordinator of the IFMSA-QC’s Public health committee for 2019-2020, my goal is to promote public health to the student community and to the general population. This project, Social distancing at the other end of the line, represent for me a way to offer help to our elderly citizens who are currently forced to stay home because of COVD-19. Although it’s not a permanent situation, my aim is to work hard so that this project continues even when the COVID pandemic is over. Elderly isolation has always been an issue in our society that needs more attention on our part. I want to encourage all students who want to have a significant impact on their community to apply to become a volunteer and join our wonderful team. Looking forward to seeing you all.
Kiana Lebel
Head of External Affairs | Medical Student at UdeS class of 2021 | Cofounder of the project
As a future health care professional, I’ve always had this deep desire to be involved in my community to change things for the better. Since my admission in medicine, I have been actively involved with IFMSA-Québec, Quebec’s International Federation of Medical Students Association Branch, as the local coordinator for the sexual health committee, the sustainable development coordinator and later the Skills Development Vice-President. Creating Social distancing at the other end of the line came naturally to me when I realized how elderly people were sadly suffering from loneliness and anxiety during this pandemic. Students: get involved if the well-being of your community is something that passionate you. We often underestimate the impact we can have on the people around us. Elders: we understand that this unpredictable situation can generate anxiety and stress. We can’t take that anxious feeling away, but we can definitely try to alleviate it. We are here for you!
Maïa Dakessian
Head of the Activities | Degree in Linguistics and Psychology from UdeM | Cofounder of the project
As a linguistic and psychology major, I’ve acquired various knowledge allowing me to critically analyze problematics regarding people’s well-being and mental health. This year, as part of my cognitive neuroscience class, I have been questioning myself about ethical preoccupations. I am actively involved with Science and Policy Exchange (SPE) to contribute positively within my community by taking parts in various projects concerning modern challenges. I believe discussing current events and staying up to date about what’s happening within our society and our immediate environment is extremely important. Sadly, not everyone has access to a vast social circle, which can, among other things, make them prone to more vulnerability. Through my role within Social distancing at the other end of the line, I want to contribute to lowering loneliness in elderly people while also allowing students to get involved in their community and experience a sense of solidarity, which is important during this pandemic. My goal? Help as many people as possible!
Thomas Allard
Head of Recruiting | Medical Student at UdeS class of 2021 | Cofounder of the project
Quebec’s community spirit has emerged during this crisis. Every day, we see new projects and initiatives. That’s what’s led me to want to do my part for my community. I believe elderly citizens are the most affected and I am happy to be able to help fight the isolation they experience daily. Because of my involvement in my faculty, I am now motivated to be involved in a bigger project. The idea from this project came to me while I was talking on the phone to my grandmother. She shared with me what she was experiencing daily and similar testimonies from the people around her. If I can have an impact on individuals as inspiring as her, I’ll gladly invest my time!
Alissa Lefebvre
Head of the Volunteers | Medical Student at UdeM class of 2024
As a future physician, I believe in the importance of volunteering in our community especially during this COVID-19 crisis. Isolation and social distancing are both new aspects of our lives that are hard to face, for elderly people, among others. Join us against this problematic and add some sunshine into our elders’ lives. Everything is going to be fine!
Élise Senay
Head of Pairing | Medical Student at UdeM class of 2024
As a medical student, I find it essential to involve ourselves socially, especially when it concerns a more isolated population, such as seniors. It is important to help them in order to overcome their loneliness with people who are more than happy to speak with them, and that is what our team aims for. Volunteering is an excellent way to give back to our community, I strongly encourage you to give it a try!
Collabrators
Mohamed Mawassi
Psychiatrist Resident
Marie-Ève Sens
PhD student in Work and Organization Psychology & Lecturer at UdeM
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