Kerry Katz

Can you tell us more about your medical background and education?

I’m a Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator. I’ve been working with individuals living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes for the last 10 years. I currently work at a diabetes education centre and help patients of all ages! I’m passionate about educating and empowering patients to make living with diabetes easier. I regularly attend conferences and events to stay up to date in my field, as I want to be able to provide my patients with a range of diabetes management options to suit their lifestyles.

What inspired you to become a doctor?

I’ve been living with a chronic illness – Crohn’s disease, since I was diagnosed at age 16. I was fortunate to have some amazing caregivers throughout my own patient journey. They inspired me to change my career path from business to healthcare. I am thankful to have the perspective as both a patient and a healthcare provider. This helps me provide the best care to my patients.

What do you love the most about practising medicine?

Medicine is never boring. It challenges me to use both the creative and analytical parts of my brain at the same time. I love the feeling of helping someone through a difficult time. When I was a patient, I appreciated healthcare providers who really listened to me and involved me in the care decisions. I try to replicate that experience for my own patients.

What’s your favourite part about practising on Maple?

Maple lets me help patients quickly and easily. People in remote areas now have access to high-quality care, right when they need it. By virtue of working remotely, I save the time and stress of commuting to a workplace. There’s also a great network of healthcare providers on Maple who I strive to learn from.

What’s the most challenging aspect of working in the medical field?

It’s hard to not “bring your work home with you.” My patients are like family to me, so it’s a challenge for me to not worry about them after I’m technically done work for the day.

If you could choose any other career, what would it be?

I would enjoy any profession involving helping and educating others. Some fields that come to mind are social work, mental health counselling, or teaching.

Is there an individual in the medical community that you find most inspiring?

Yes, that individual would be the founder of my clinic. She is also a nurse. She started her clinic from the ground up and designed it with a focus on the needs of her patients and their families. It is truly a one-of-a-kind clinic!

Can you share a health-hack that has made your life better?

I don’t keep any junk food in my house. That way, I don’t have to worry about eating it! I also like to make my workouts easy to incorporate into my lifestyle. They’re 5-10 minutes, easy to do in pyjamas, and don’t require any special equipment. For meals, I cook food in bulk and freeze it. This helps me to plan ahead and avoid ordering something unhealthy at the last minute.

What do you do in your spare time?

I am a busy working mom with a two-year-old daughter that makes me laugh every day. I dance, choreograph, teach, and perform with a dance collective in Toronto. I also love keeping active with yoga, gymnastics, and hiking. My favourite place to relax is on the beach, at a cottage, or anywhere near water!