Medical Student
University of Alberta
University of Alberta
Venessa Thorsen is a first year medical student at the University of Alberta and holds a Master of Science degree in Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. She completed her undergraduate studies in Biology and Psychology at UBC Okanagan, where she graduated with honours in 2021.
Venessa is passionate about improving preventive care for primary dyslipidemias such as Familial Hypercholesterolemia and is dedicated to advancing early detection and management of these conditions. During her master’s studies, she worked alongside Interventional Pediatric Cardiologists at BC Children’s Hospital to develop and deliver a continuing medical education course aimed at improving the early diagnosis of primary dyslipidemias in children and adolescents. Since its launch in 2023, the course has reached hundreds of physicians through partnerships with the BC Pediatric Society, UBC Faculty of Medicine, and Rural Coordination Centre of BC. Her research has received award recognition and funding support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, and UBC Faculty of Medicine.
Beyond her academic and research pursuits, Venessa co-founded the non-profit Students for Heart Health in 2021, which raises funds and promotes community engagement in physical activity and blood donation initiatives through partnerships with the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canadian Blood Services, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation. Leading multiple fundraising campaigns, she successfully raised $10,600 for Kelowna General Hospital in 2022, contributing to the acquisition of an intra-aortic balloon pump essential for cardiac care, and an additional $5,000 in 2023 for the Children's Heart Centre at BC Children’s Hospital to support preventive care for pediatric patients.
Disclosure information not submitted.
162 - RICHARD ROWE COMPETITION
Thursday, October 23, 2025
4:30pm - 5:30pm ET