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Fri, May 3, 2024
@ 3:05 AM ADT
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Dr. Oja was born in Toronto, Ontario and spent his formative years in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia until his family relocated to Vancouver in 1985.
Dr. Oja pursued his Bachelor's in Biochemistry from the University of British Columbia, followed by a PhD in Cancer Chemotherapy Drug Delivery Systems. He then earned his Medical Doctorate and underwent training in Internal Medicine, followed by subspecialty training in Medical Oncology at the British Columbia Cancer Agency.
For more than 17 years, Dr. Oja dedicated himself to serving patients at the BC Cancer Agency, initially in Vancouver before playing a pivotal role in establishing the Abbotsford Cancer Centre and Clinical Trials Unit. Specializing in gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, and Sarcoma Cancers, he also completed research on the benefits of medicinal cannabis in cancer symptom management, contributing to international discourse on the subject.
Driven by a desire to return to his roots and be closer to family and friends, Dr. Oja seized an opportunity at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre, fulfilling a long-held dream of practicing in Nova Scotia. Since March, Dr. Oja is now established at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
“My wife and I grew up together in Dartmouth and have always intended to return to Nova Scotia either to work or eventually retire, as we have friends and family here and frequently visit for vacation. My kids were finally no longer attending university so my wife, our disabled child, and I realized we no longer had to be close to a major city for school and looked into the job at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre. Things progressed very quickly after that.”
Dr. Oja particularly loves the people in Nova Scotia, and Cape Breton in particular, and finds them more welcoming and friendly than anywhere else. Plus, he has always loved the ocean. He acknowledges he'll still is getting used to the snow and many potholes!
Like many physicians, Dr. Oja’s favorite part of the job is directly helping patients improve their quality of life.
“The direct work helping patients is what I love the most. Cancer is a scary and usually sad journey – the best part of my job is making sure patients and their families enjoy the best life they can every day of their journey,” said Dr. Oja.
To aspiring medical professionals, Dr. Oja emphasized the importance of early life balance to navigate the pervasive stress inherent in the medical field.
“Find life balance early, stress is everywhere, and you need to focus on the best ways for you to manage it,” he said.
Outside of his medical practice, Dr. Oja cherishes family time, embarking on adventures with his child and indulging his inner child with video games. He finds relaxation in reading, cooking, and BBQing, alongside meditation to unwind from the demands of his medical practice.