Angela Zwaagstra’s story is inspiring plenty of people across Steinbach and beyond.
Just days before her graduation from medical school, the 42-year-old was featured as a guest on the MIX 96 Morning Show, fueled by Clearview Co-op, to talk about her journey into healthcare, her international experience in Japan, and what comes next as she prepares to begin her residency in Steinbach.
“This is my last day of school. I have one more class, one more presentation, and then I’m completely done,” she said during Tuesday’s show. “It’s been a long road, but it’s really exciting to be at the end.”
Starting a new chapter—later in life
That same day, SteinbachOnline published an article highlighting Zwaagstra and another local woman who both made major mid-life career changes to enter the healthcare field. In Zwaagstra’s case, the path started eight years ago when she was in her mid-30s, raising a family and exploring different careers, including education and school psychology.
She said the turning point came when she read an article about the shortage of rural physicians and felt a personal calling to help.
“I thought, gosh, if I was a doctor, I’d love to practice rurally. Steinbach’s an awesome place to be,” she said. “So I kind of just studied for my MCAT, taught myself biochemistry, and I got in.”
Hands-on experience in Japan
Zwaagstra recently returned from an international medical elective in Japan, where she spent just under a month working in a hospital and studying the differences in healthcare systems and cultural approaches.
“It gave me a good idea of what I do and do not want to do,” she said.
The experience revealed major contrasts between Canadian and Japanese practices, particularly around patient care in maternity and neonatal units.
“In the NICU, parents aren’t encouraged to be with their children. They kind of drop them off and pick them up three weeks to 24 months later,” she said. “And when mothers are labouring, they’re completely tied down on their backs the entire time. Only five percent actually get epidurals.”
She said witnessing those differences reinforced her appreciation for the patient-centred approach practiced in Canada.
Returning to serve her hometown
Zwaagstra’s residency will take place at Steinbach Family Medical Clinic, and she’s looking forward to staying rooted in her community—where her name already opens doors.
“I go into the doctor’s office and the patient will be there, arms crossed,” she said. “But then I say I’m going to practice in Steinbach and they go, ‘Oh really?’ Then they ask, ‘Are you related to Michael Zwaagstra?’ and I say, ‘Yes, I am.’ Then everyone loves me.”
She never moved away for medical school, commuting daily instead—and says she’s now eager to serve Steinbach full-time.
“I already get so many questions: ‘When are you taking on patients? Can I be on your panel?’ So I’m very excited about that,” she said.
Encouraging other moms to chase big goals
Zwaagstra is a mother of four—ages 17 to 22—and knows firsthand the challenges of pursuing a demanding career while raising a family.
“When the kids are young, it’s hard. But once they’re in school, it’s time to start thinking, ‘What can I do for me?’” she said. “We don’t blink an eye when someone in their 40s has a baby after their career. We shouldn’t blink an eye when someone in their 30s, who had babies first, decides to go back and have their career.”
She said roughly 10 percent of medical students are older students, and most of them go into family medicine.
“It’s wonderful to be able to do the things you love,” she said. “Sometimes you can’t do it all at once, but we have a really long life and a really good country that makes changes like this possible.”
-With files from Corny Rempel.