Medicine Hat graduate Riaz honoured with Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Award

She said the recognition was the result of years of work and dedication.

“It definitely feels like all the hard work and everything has paid off,” Riaz said.

“It was really exciting.”

Much of that work has focused on serving others. Riaz began volunteering at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital at the age of 15 and continued throughout high school. She now volunteers at the Alberta Children’s Hospital while attending university in Calgary.

Riaz said her time volunteering has allowed her to connect with thousands of patients.

“I think it’s around 3,600 patients that I’ve interacted with,” Riaz said. “That was something that they noted.”

Along with her volunteer efforts, Riaz has spent years promoting science, technology, engineering and math opportunities for other students.

—

Fatema Riaz with Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani during the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Citizenship Medallion ceremony at Government House in Edmonton on July 14. (Image Credit: Alberta Government)

In Grade 12, she competed at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, earning a gold medal and winning best in her category for health and wellness. She also became the first student from Medicine Hat High School in many years to participate in the High School Youth Researcher Program at the University of Lethbridge, where she conducted antibiotic research.

Riaz said combining her interest in science with opportunities to help others has been rewarding.

“I found a way, I think, to combine what I’m personally interested in, which is science, biomedical research and all that, as a way to give back to the community of Medicine Hat,” Riaz said.

“I’ve been born and raised here, and everyone at Medicine Hat High School and the community have given so much to me and taught me so much. It’s nice to finally be able to give back to them in a small way.”

During her time at Medicine Hat High School, Riaz was also involved in student council, badminton, cultural events and helped create a debate club. She was selected as the school’s valedictorian and delivered the graduation address last year.

She said that speech was one of the highlights of her high school experience.

“That was really fun to address all the people in my class and get to be on the stage and talk to everyone,” Riaz said.

Riaz is now studying in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at the University of Calgary, majoring in biomedical sciences through the Cumming School of Medicine.

She is also gaining research experience, working on kidney research through a nephrology program.

While she is still deciding on her long-term path, Riaz says she is considering careers in medicine or biomedical research.

“I’m still kind of early into my degree, so we’ll see where it goes,” Riaz said.

“I’m always trying to get work experience and see what it would be like to do any of those careers.”

Riaz said she has also been inspired by her father, Dr. Salman Riaz, an orthopedic surgeon in Medicine Hat.

“He’s my main role model,” Riaz said.

“He’s taught me so much.”

Riaz said meeting the other award recipients at the ceremony was another memorable part of the experience.

“It was really interesting to hear what they had done and all the different ways we contributed and were all recognized with the award,” Riaz said.

Riaz said she appreciated that Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright attended the ceremony in Edmonton.

“He offered me a very kind congratulatory message and encouraged me to continue serving my community,” Riaz said.

—

Eight Alberta students were presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Citizenship Medallion during a ceremony at Government House in Edmonton on July 14. (Image Credit: Alberta Government)

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat graduate Riaz honoured with Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Award

Our Community