Healthcare Hero: Dr. Salima Ismail

Healthcare Hero Dr. Salima Ismail is a chiropractor, and co-owner of a chiropractic clinic in Ottawa, Ontario. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Dr. Ismaili has worked tirelessly to support her patients and the community. She has helped triage hundreds of patients, and was presented with clinical cases she had never seen before. Dr. Ismail also played an important role in helping to source large amounts of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the pandemic when it was difficult to obtain, for business owners, professionals, health care workers and Jamati members.

Her greatest challenge during this time, like many health professionals, has been maintaining balance in her professional and personal life to avoid burnout. This has made her realize the critical importance of effectively managing her stress levels and physical health, and the value of health supports to help people cope effectively during a pandemic. Outside of her clinician role, Dr. Ismail serves the community as the President of the Eastern Ontario Chiropractic Society and the Chair of the Manotick Business Improvement Area.

Dr. Ismail’s lesson is that we are all in this together, even if we have different life circumstances, and the importance of gratitude and kindness. She also recognized the value of having opportunities to attend Jamatkhana, to appreciate the power of congregational prayer. Her advice to the Jamat and healthcare workers is to do your best to keep your stress levels in check as this pandemic has affected everyone in different ways - mentally, physically, and emotionally.

She recommends going outside and walking daily, even for a short 15 minutes, and working to maintain our social connection by calling and reaching out to friends and family to promote well-being. Outside of her professional and voluntary work, Dr. Ismail enjoys cooking with her son and mother, meditating, walking daily, and gardening. Something that has helped ground her and reduce her stress levels has been reaching out to relatives and friends around the world through letters, cards, and flowers to maintain a social network and stay connected. She also enjoys reading to unwind.