Some stories unfold exactly as planned. Others take a few unexpected turns before landing somewhere that just feels right. For Dr. Basmah Ishteiwi, joining the pediatric team at Regina General Hospital was one of those unexpected turns.

Originally from Jordan, Dr. Ishteiwi completed her medical training at the University of Jordan in 2010. Being a pediatrician was what she has always wanted to do. “I felt so comfortable working in pediatric care and got such positive feedback that it seemed natural to specialize in pediatrics,” she shares.

She and her husband first moved to Canada in 2010, yet over the next several years, her career would take her to the United Kingdom and then to the children’s hospital in Dublin, Ireland. She was preparing to return to Canada in 2022 to pursue her Canadian medical licensing when a chance connection changed everything.

“I wasn’t looking for a job,” Dr. Ishteiwi says, “but I was introduced to the pediatric team in Regina through Dr. Abid Lodhi, who was the head of pediatrics at the time. It felt like an opportunity that was meant to be.”

Dr. Ishteiwi came to Regina to prepare for her Canadian exams and work under the supervision of Dr. Lodhi, supported by a grant from Hospitals of Regina Foundation intended to help non-Canadian doctors, with much needed specializations, while they get licensed.

Part of the grant agreement included a commitment to stay and practice in Regina for a minimum of five years, a commitment she was happy to make.

On July 2, 2023, she passed her licensing exam, a milestone she calls unforgettable. Today, Dr. Ishteiwi is a key member of our pediatric team at the Regina General Hospital, providing care to children and their families both in the hospital and in a community based medical clinic.

She is passionate about helping families feel supported during uncertain times, bringing medical care and empathy to every patient interaction.

Dr. Ishteiwi also teaches medical students and residents, something she takes great pride in. She is helping to grow the next generation of pediatricians and strengthen the future of health care in Regina and across southern Saskatchewan.

She has also found a sense of belonging in Regina. “It’s been so welcoming, not just professionally but as a place for my family. We feel at home here. I am grateful to Hospitals of Regina Foundation for helping me achieve my Canadian licensing and make my career in Regina possible.”

“Dr. Ishteiwi’s story is a powerful example of how donor support helps us bring dedicated, skilled physicians to Regina. Our community’s support allows us to not only improve pediatric care today but also build a brighter future for children across southern Saskatchewan,” Lisa Green, senior vice-president, Hospitals of Regina Foundation.