Alumni Spotlight - Dr. Renee Reimer ‘10

Meet Dr. Renee Reimer ’10, proud alumna (go, Seymour!), new mom, and spouse to fellow alum Gordie Johnston ’11 (Gordie is a two-time Olympian and former captain of the Canada Men’s Field Hockey Team). Kelsey Hayre, Senior Manager of Alumni and Community Engagement, recently connected with Renee to see what she’s up to and how WPGA has impacted her personal and professional paths.

RR: I just spent the last three years in Victoria for my Internal Medicine residency through UBC. This past summer, my husband, Gordie, and I headed back to Vancouver to be closer to family after our son, Rory, was born. Coming summer 2026, we will be heading to Toronto for my fellowship in Respirology through the University of Toronto.

RR: I went to Queen’s for my first year of undergrad to study Life Sciences. I chose Queen’s because I wanted to be in a smaller community during my time away from home. However, I ended up transferring to McGill in my second year and loved every moment of it. Although I originally thought I’d be happier in a smaller town like Kingston, I eventually realized that I was more at ease in a larger and more diverse city like Montreal. I really enjoyed the culture at McGill and look back at my time there with a lot of nostalgia. The “work hard, play hard” attitude was tangible: we spent long hours in the library but still always made time for fun. I then went to UBC for both my Masters’ degree (MSc) and for medical school. The UBC MD program is fantastic, especially given all the distributed sites and opportunity to practice rurally all over the province. The electives schedule is structured in a way that really prepares you to successfully match to a good residency program.

RR: My time at WPGA fostered my ability to be a well-rounded individual, which has served me well in my career. Because I had opportunities to participate in so many activities and roles (advanced academics, student council, athletics, arts), I learned at a relatively young age how to manage my time effectively and balance many different interests. I also feel quite strongly that a diverse set of experiences and skills serves you well in any future, especially given how quickly our landscape changes.

RR: The leadership roles including student council, House council, Prefect and Vice Captain really helped foster my communication, collaboration and networking skills. I continued to utilize these skills in medical school as an advocate for student wellness, which involved liaising with my fellow students and faculty members to create policy change.

RR: I was part of a volunteering trip to Ecuador. We visited a remote village in the Amazon region, and I loved spending time getting to know the locals, hiking in the jungle, and swimming in the river. We were also able to travel to the Galapagos Islands, which was such a unique and breathtaking experience. I feel so incredibly lucky that I was able to travel to such a remote and beautiful part of the world.

RR: I played on many sports teams, including volleyball, soccer, and basketball. I played violin with the strings group for one year and acted in the school play in my senior year. I volunteered as a First Responder and had many leadership roles such as House Captain, Prefect, and Vice Captain.

RR: Mme. Diem, now retired, was my AP French teacher, and I was lucky enough to be in a class of just two students! It wasn’t as much about what she said but how she carried herself that left a significant impression on me. Despite a tiny frame, she could command a room and earned the respect of even the most rambunctious teenage boys in her class. She embodied class, poise, and composure. With her as a teacher, I learned how our actions, presence, and demeanour are just as important as our words. She demonstrated the powerful influence of composure, grace, and discipline.

RR: Beware of the arrival paradox: success doesn’t necessarily lead to happiness, but happiness often leads to success. Whatever your destination may be, whether it’s becoming a doctor, athlete, lawyer, business owner, teacher, chef, etc., it is imperative that you find joy and passion along the way. Focus less on what you think you “should” be doing and spend more time fiercely pursuing what gives you energy, motivation, and satisfaction. Hard work is best fuelled with passion and genuine interest.

RR: Community, diversity, opportunity.

KH: What are you most proud of since graduating from WPGA? 

RR: It’s probably a tie between getting through Internal Medicine residency (including many, many 26-hour call shifts in the hospital . . .) and surviving the first four months postpartum . . ..

RR: I hope to see WPGA expand its opportunities for students (sports, arts, academics, community outreach, etc.) while still maintaining the close-knit community that makes it so unique as an independent school in Vancouver. I hope WPGA continues to embrace diversity in its student body, acknowledging the value this brings to the growth of the community.

 

Thank you, Renee, for your wonderful insights and memories of your years at WPGA. We wish you, Gordie, and Rory all the best in Toronto.