Caring Close to Home

For one pediatrician, the path to Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) started as a temporary stop during residency – but quickly became the place where a meaningful career began.

While completing a community elective rotation during her fourth year of pediatric residency at McMaster University, Dr. Mena Bahnam experienced firsthand the collaborative and supportive culture at BCHS. While she initially arrived for a short-term learning opportunity, it was the sense of connection among colleagues that left a lasting impression.

“I liked the collegial environment between pediatricians and with the allied healthcare professionals,” she shares. “That’s what attracted me to join BCHS as a pediatrician in 2019.”

Today, she plays a vital role in caring for some of BCHS’ youngest patients. Her work spans across many areas of pediatric care across the organization. From assessing and managing children in the Emergency Department and Pediatrics inpatient unit, to attending high-risk deliveries, resuscitating sick newborns, and caring for babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). No two days look the same, and that’s exactly what she loves most.

For Dr. Bahnam, working at BCHS has offered an opportunity to continuously grow both personally and professionally through the diversity of patients, experiences, and clinical cases she encounters every day. “Working at BCHS has helped shape my practice because there is such a wide diversity of population and cases,” she explains. “I am constantly learning from patients, families, and colleagues.”

Beyond the clinical aspect, it’s the special moments that stand out for her.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Dr. Bahnam’s work is seeing the impact local pediatric services can have on families during some of their most stressful and emotional situations. For parents navigating the uncertainty of a child’s hospitalization, being surrounded by familiar support systems and loved ones can make a meaningful difference.

 “A proud moment throughout my career has been seeing how appreciative parents and patients are for the care close to home,” says Dr. Bahnam. “Being able to continue their child’s care here, closer to family and community supports, brings a great sense of relief to many families.”

That strong sense of connection is also what makes BCHS a special place to not only build your career, but witness the impact of how far patient care goes within your own community.

For anyone considering a future in medicine or healthcare, Dr. Bahnam offers a simple piece of advice: “Choose a workplace where you feel supported and heard,” she shares. “That is how I feel at BCHS.”

At BCHS, healthcare professionals are building more than careers — they are building relationships, growing through collaboration, and helping deliver compassionate care closer to home for the communities we serve.

For more information on how to start your career at BCHS today, visit www.bchsys.org/careers.