Feature: Dr. Megan Cassidy

For the June 2025 Chief of Staff Feature, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Megan Cassidy, a first-year resident in Family Medicine at the Brantford Indigenous Health Hub program here at BCHS.

Dr. Cassidy is proud to call Brantford home - she was born at the Brantford General Hospital and raised right here in the north end of the city! Dr. Cassidy has deep connections to BCHS, as her mother, Verona Misner (see photo below), worked here as a Lab Technician for over 30 years until her retirement in 2020!

 Dr. Cassidy describes returning to BCHS as a "dream come true," and I am truly excited to share more about her journey through this feature.

Dr. Cassidy grew up the eldest of four children, with three younger brothers (triplets!) 18 months younger than her. After high school, she left Brantford to attend the University of Guelph, where she completed her undergraduate degree in biomedical sciences. Dr. Cassidy then came back to Brantford to work at several local doctors’ offices, including those of BCHS physicians Dr. Mike Rooney and Dr. Rebecca Rooney, which helped solidify her interest in healthcare.

After developing a further interest in reproductive health while working with Dr. Rebecca Rooney, Dr. Cassidy then pursued a master's degree in reproductive toxicology, also at the University of Guelph, with a thesis focused on the effects of cannabis upon early embryonic development. Her timing was perfect, as she started her master's in 2018, just as cannabis was being legalized in Canada.

Her research revealed several important findings on the impacts of THC in embryonic development, leading to a published paper. She credits her supervisor for supporting this innovative project, which she presented at several international conferences.

While completing her master’s, Dr. Cassidy applied to medical school and received acceptances to both Queen’s University and the University of Toronto. As she had been raised in a smaller community, Dr. Cassidy wished to train - and ultimately practice - in a community environment, and chose to attend Queen’s for medical school.

Initially set on Pediatrics, she discovered her passion for Family Medicine midway through her third year, when she found that she missed working with the parents and grandparents of the children she was looking after. She says, "I realized that Family Medicine allows me to look after patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors, which is deeply fulfilling."

After taking some time off after medical school for parental leave, Dr. Cassidy officially began her residency in December 2024.

She is deeply enjoying her experience thus far, particularly the variety of Family Medicine and opportunity to work with her longitudinal preceptor, Dr. Robin Martin-Godeliein Simcoe, who also works in palliative care. “We’ve meshed very well,” Dr. Cassidy shares, crediting Dr. Martin-Godelie's diverse practice and teaching style as instrumental in building her confidence. Dr. Cassidy’s most recent hospital rotations have included aa hospitalist block in January, and she is now on her pediatrics block with Dr. Oyefeso, the Mac-CARE physician lead for Pediatrics.

While Dr. Cassidy is deeply enjoying her time in Simcoe, she is still deciding where she would like to settle and open her practice after graduation. She appreciates that her mom and siblings are nearby, and that her husband works for the City of Brantford as an engineer, making Brantford and the surrounding areas a convenient location for their family.

Outside of work, Dr. Cassidy finds joy in spending time with her 15-month-old son, John, and the rest of her family. She loves spending active time outdoors, including on local trails, and has recently signed up for the Brantford Classic 5k race! Dr. Cassidy also enjoys swimming at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre, drawing from her background as a competitive swimmer and coach.

Fun fact: As an undergraduate, Dr. Cassidy coached several children of BCHS physicians and staff!

When asked what advice she would give medical students considering both Family Medicine and residency at the Brantford Indigenous Health Hub, Dr. Cassidy emphasizes the importance of diversifying one’s practice and taking opportunities to do rotations in different settings. She mentions, "the community hospital atmosphere here at BCHS is so welcoming, and the small number of residents allows for quick connections with colleagues and patients. It’s wonderful to work in a place where everyone knows each other."

Dr. Cassidy also shared her mindset of remaining grounded in a spirit of service, and the importance of taking the extra time with patients to both understand their lives and improve their care. She says, “not all patients have a lot of visitors during the day, and it brings me joy to really try to get to know them and make their days in the hospital more special.”

For Dr. Cassidy, completing her training at BCHS feels like a journey that has come full circle. Reflecting on her experiences growing up in Brantford, volunteering at BCHS in high school, seeing the hospital during “Take Your Kids to Work Day” with her mom, and now coming home to begin her career, she says with a smile, “I finally made it.”

On behalf of our staff and professional staff, it is a privilege to welcome Dr. Cassidy back to BCHS. We deeply appreciate her commitment to the communities we serve, and look forward to working with her as she brings home her spirit of compassion, care, and dedication to excellence for our patients.

 (Author: Dr. Anirudh Goel, Chief of Staff and Vice President, Medical and Academic Affairs at BCHS.)