Freddy
Bishay
Hi, I am Freddy 👋. I am a medical student with a background in psychology and mental health. I aim to become a physician who understands illness in full, not just the biology but the person behind it. That is what drew me to medicine and what keeps me in it.
I am Egyptian-Canadian, Coptic Orthodox, and Arabic-speaking. A life between worlds taught me to meet people where they are and to hear what they mean, not just what they say. I know that will help me understand my patients better.
Away from medicine, I recently fell in love with film photography, am a massive Liverpool, Raptors, and Egyptian national team fan, and am a two time fantasy sports champ 🥇.
Education
Resilience, Moral Injury & PTSD in Healthcare Workers
Senior Honours Thesis examining emotional and interpersonal resilience as protective factors against moral injury and PTSD in HCWs during COVID-19. Manuscript in revision for journal submission.
Dr. Margaret McKinnon · McMaster University
Asthma Content on TikTok
Cross-sectional content analysis of asthma-tagged TikTok videos using mDISCERN, GQS, and novel purpose-built coding instruments I developed. Manuscript in preparation.
Dr. Samir Gupta · St. Michael's Hospital / University of Toronto
PPV23 Vaccination Audit
Led a retrospective clinical audit of pneumococcal vaccination uptake among 95 diabetic patients at Woodbrook Family Practice. Found 45% uptake vs. an 80% ICGP standard. Recommended EMR-based recall systems. Manuscript prepared for submission to the Irish Medical Journal.
Dr. Brendan Payne · Woodbrook Family Practice, Co. Cork
Mental Hygiene for Young Readers
A Frontiers for Young Minds article introducing positive psychology and mental hygiene to readers aged 12-15. Under editorial review.
Dr. Kristin Delcellier · McMaster University
Beyond the Wards
Journal Club Lead
Connects students with research opportunities and mentors early researchers across the year group. Co-organizes an interdisciplinary journal club with the Cardiology Society - sessions have explored Takotsubo syndrome, PTSD following cardiac arrest, and the psychological dimensions of chronic illness, grounding each case in a biopsychosocial framework.
Research Lead
Leads research and journal club activities for the Cardiology Society, collaborating with the Psychiatry Society on interdisciplinary sessions that explore the intersection of cardiac disease and mental health.
Team Lead & Fundraiser
I decided to run 60 kilometres every November for the 60 men who die of suicide every hour. My ability to grow facial hair was never up to par, but over five years I have raised over $2,500 while encouraging others to join me in fundraising and speaking up when they need to. Maybe one day I will be able to grow a moustache too. movember.com/m/freddybishay ↗
Sunday School Coordinator
Runs Sunday School lessons, organizes trips, and mentors junior volunteers at St Peter and St Paul Church, Oakville, ON - serving students across Grades 3-5 over the years. Since moving to Ireland, serves as the sole volunteer for the Seven Coptic Monks Church community in Galway, handling scheduling, parent communications, and remote program coordination.
Food Bank Volunteer
Coordinates clothing drives and donation logistics at St Peter and St Paul Church, Oakville - organizing the admin space for weekly food and clothing distribution to approximately 100 community members. While in Ireland, contributes remotely to administrative coordination. During time in Hamilton, assists with food and clothing drops at various locations alongside the Red Cross.
Executive Design Director
Led the visual design and creative team for Psynapse, McMaster's undergraduate journal of psychology, neuroscience, and behaviour. Oversaw layout and production for Issues 5 and 6 - concurrently publishing multiple articles as an author in the same journal.
Some Film Shots 📸
Canada, Egypt, Ireland and wherever the camera comes along. Been wanting to see the Swiss Alps 🤞