Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/1540856
things were widely embraced. I remember classmates from all backgrounds, including scholarship students who brought so much to the school. That environment taught us not just empathy, but excellence. My French education opened many doors in my life and early on I worked as a seasonal bicycle-tour guide for Toronto-based Butterfield & Robinson. I eventually parlayed that and started a successful bi-annual anesthesia-based continuing medical education program that combines medical education along with biking and hiking in fascinating regions in Europe. This concept has now been copied and adapted by other medical groups in Ontario. TFS: What did you learn as a student that you continue to apply today? Charles: The importance of hard work and just being a good person. That may sound simple, but those two things have stayed with me through everything. TFS wasn't just about academics; it also instilled strong values about how to carry yourself in the world, how to treat people and how to lead with integrity. As a professional, I try to reflect that every day, both at work and outside of it. In medicine especially, how you treat others matters. I'm fortunate to work at a hospital with a great culture, where the goal is to treat every patient like they're a member of our own family. The healthcare system isn't perfect, but what we can control is how we show up for people. That mindset of empathy, effort and care was something I started learning at TFS. TFS: What advice would you give to students studying at TFS today? Charles: One of the things I love doing is mentoring current TFS students—especially those thinking about medical school—because it can really help to have someone who has navigated the system. But no matter what your path is, the biggest thing I tell students is this: life is not a straight line. It's important to have a goal and a passion, you should go for whatever it is. But the road won't always be smooth. You'll face setbacks. You might not get exactly what you want on the first try. That's okay. Rejection can be a catalyst—it makes you stronger. I applied three times before I got into medical school, and I'm glad I kept at it. Another thing I remind students is that while TFS prepares you extremely well, university can still be a wake-up call. You realize quickly that there are a lot of smart people out there, and competition is fierce. It is important to stay open-minded and adaptable. And finally, stay connected. I've always loved my time at TFS and continue to be involved. Between my brother Tom '84 and I, we've had six family members go through the school and it's still a big part of our lives. TFS: Please tell us about a teacher who had an impact on you? Charles: I had several, but my French teachers stand out the most. I started at TFS in Grade 7 and because I was coming in later, I was placed into an intensive French immersion class with just four of us. We had four hours of French every day. It was intense, but it worked. At the end of my first year at TFS we were able to rejoin our fellow students in their French classes. Mme Soheir Gharghouri, who I recently saw at an alumni event, had a profound impact on me early on, as did Mme Brand in the later years. The French program at TFS was exceptional. Mr. Giles recruited teachers from France and French- speaking Africa, so we learned international French. Even now, patients will tell me, "Your French is so Parisian." I may not have the vocabulary I once had, but the quality and structure of the language stuck. I was lucky to have outstanding math and science teachers: Mr. Nguyen, Mr. Ginestier from Cameroon, Mr. Mallin for chemistry, and Mr. Morton for physics. What made all of them so memorable was their energy. They were passionate, innovative and totally committed to teaching. You felt that in every class and it stayed with us long after we left the classroom. TFS: What was your most-played song in your senior year? Charles: It was Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven." They played it at the end of every school dance, without fail. I loved it. TFS: Can you describe the impact TFS had on your career path? Charles: I graduated from TFS in 1980 with an early interest in science, which led me to study physiology and pharmacology at the University of Western Ontario. That academic curiosity and the persistence to keep applying to med school despite early rejections was rooted in the rigour and resilience TFS helped develop in me. When I was eventually accepted to McMaster's medical school, I chose it over other schools because of its innovative, problem-based learning model. That approach felt familiar. At TFS, we weren't just taught content, we were taught how to think. How to learn independently, analyze information critically and work through challenges collaboratively. TFS shaped how I approach learning, and in medicine that never stops. Research evolves, technologies change and new data is always emerging. TFS gave me the foundation to navigate all of that. It gave me the confidence to keep asking questions and the discipline to keep finding answers. TFS: How did your education influence the person you've become? Charles: The rigorous curriculum at TFS taught us to be independent thinkers and instilled strong study habits—critical skills that have carried me through every stage of my life. More than anything, it set me up for lifelong learning and problem-solving, which are essential not just in medicine, but in any field. I also credit the vision of TFS' founders, Anna and Harry Giles. They understood the power of early bilingualism and the cognitive benefits of learning through language. That early exposure to multiple cultures and perspectives helped shape the way I think, interact and work with others. It made us more open, more curious and better prepared for the real world. TFS was ahead of its time—bilingual, co-ed and diverse long before those Q&A 63 TFS