April Gustavsen | Advisor to Calgary’s future physicians

Great colleagues make all the difference for April Gustavsen.  April is a 10-year veteran at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM).  Starting out in the Admissions and Student Affairs Office, she is now the MD Admissions Advisor for the undergraduate medical education (UME) program. 

It is a busy role, but April says she is very fortunate to work at the medical school with so many talented, amazing people. “It's a place that provides employment and learning opportunities. I get to work for and with some of the finest minds in health care.” 

As the admissions advisor, April speaks with potential applicants to the MD program, either at in-person meetings or via email and answers any questions they may have about the program.  She also provides a wealth of knowledge to prospective students, sharing information about the program on and off campus. 

Prior to her career as admissions advisor, April was a teacher, working on a part-time basis while living in Toronto.   She admits that being from small town British Columbia and with her husband being a Lacombe, Alberta native, their hearts never left the west. 

When a teaching position opened up in Calgary for April’s husband, they jumped at the chance to return to the prairies and be closer to family again.  That was 25 years ago.  At that time, April took on a full time position of her own, teaching grade four.  Although she enjoyed it, the 60-hour weeks became more stressful once her own children entered their teen years. 

While life is less hectic nowadays, April still enjoys the opportunity for some downtime to savour a cup of tea and read a book.  She also makes a pretty mean quiche and counts surviving multitudes of kids, now mostly young adults, spilling out of the house, as one of her hidden talents. 

As CSM celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year, April sees the school as being important to those who are part of its internal workings and equally important to the external community.  “It is a gift to the community to have a medical school with a track record of producing excellent health care providers on many levels that serve their community tirelessly.” 

After 10 years, April still enjoys the time she spends at CSM helping applicants in their quest to become Calgary’s future physicians and sharing many laughs with her colleagues. 

Tidbits from April: 

If you could make a living doing anything of your choice, what would you do? I think it would be fun to be a life coach or mentor. 

If you had a personal motto, what would it be? There are blessings hidden in every situation. You just have to look for them.   

What advice would you give your 16-year-old self? Find something you love to do and put your energy into it until you are an expert.