From local student to senior care specialist
Dr. Raza Mohammad Naqvi, a dedicated geriatrician at Oak Valley Health, has been an integral part of the hospital’s team since 2016. He has been instrumental in shaping and expanding the hospital’s seniors’ health services and programming, a role he embraces with passion and dedication.
In his daily routine, Dr. Naqvi shares his time between the outpatient Seniors’ Health Clinic and the hospital, where he consults and cares for patients. His week also includes half a day dedicated to supporting seven local long-term care homes with their needs, particularly related to complex dementia care. Dr. Naqvi’s role involves close interaction with patients, their families, and the Seniors’ Health team, ensuring comprehensive and compassionate care for the elderly.
The Seniors’ Health Clinic is committed to addressing the needs of the senior community, despite facing challenges like a several-month wait list for new consults. The clinic specializes in complex dementia care but also supports various other needs, from medication reviews to mobility challenges, and more.
Dr. Naqvi’s journey into geriatric medicine was sparked by a deep desire to help others, and a career in medicine was the perfect path to do so.
“My early clinical experiences as a volunteer helped solidify my interest in health care. Geriatric medicine was particularly interesting to me later in my residency when I realized it combines holistic comprehensive care with a specialized skillset in cognitive challenges. It has been an amazing career choice for many reasons and I’m glad I have had the opportunity to pursue it here in Markham,” he says.
Almost 25 years ago, Dr. Naqvi was a high school student in Markham and participated in the community-based co-operative education program, an experiential learning program in partnership between Oak Valley Health and various school boards in the community.
“I wanted to gain some real-world experience in health care,” he says. “Markham Stouffville Hospital was my local hospital, and so I applied for my co-op here… It was a very interesting experience as I had many memorable interactions with staff and patients, and got a feel for what a career in health care could be like. Getting some real clinical exposure was very helpful in confirming my interest in pursuing a career related to health care.”
From an early age and until today, Dr. Naqvi’s dedication to care is just as meaningful. Over the past several years, he has gained more interest and appreciation for the importance of dementia prevention.
“I am working on a project called Deter Dementia that tries to organize the evidence and strategies that have been proven effective in reducing cognitive decline for healthy older adults. We have made lots of progress and hope to be ready for full access by the general public in the next few months,” he says.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Naqvi is an avid sports enthusiast. His first sporting love is hockey, which he plays weekly, but he also enjoys tennis, squash, Muay Thai, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. These activities not only help him stay physically active but also maintain a positive outlook, essential for his well-being and family life.
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