Rakesh Vadher, Pre & Post Operations Volunteer, Eye Institute at Kensington Health

Starting over takes courage. Doing it in a new country takes everything else, grit, humility, and more than a little faith in the unknown.

When Rakesh arrived in Canada in 2022, he brought with him years of education, experience, and a deep belief in giving back. In India, he was a dentist, a professor, and a community health advocate who organized free dental camps and worked in government-funded health centres. He had built a life rooted in care and service. Then he left it behind, knowing he would need to start again.

“I was mentally prepared,” Rakesh said. “I knew that here [in Canada], my degree wouldn’t be recognized. It would be a long process, often taking up to five years to regain the professional standing I had before.”

Prepared did not mean untouched by challenges. Like many newcomers, Rakesh took on work wherever he could, as a security guard, an emergency medical responder, and an Uber driver. These roles felt far from the professional identity he once held, but he embraced them as part of the journey.

“I had a different perspective, I didn’t want to carry my designation everywhere,” he shared. “I wanted to experience life here and understand the real struggles.”

What Rakesh was searching for was not just experience, but a place to belong. A place to learn how health care works in Canada, to understand culture, communication, and patient expectations. That place became the Eye Institute at Kensington Health.

The Eye Institute at Kensington Health is a not-for-profit eye surgery centre offering cataract, glaucoma, and retina surgery, as well as corneal transplants. Affiliated with the University of Toronto, it brings together some of Ontario’s most skilled surgeons and care teams. For Rakesh, it also became something more personal, a source of stability during a time of rebuilding.

After applying to volunteer as a Pre & Post Operations Volunteer, Rakesh admits he felt uncertain. “I am from dentistry. This is related to eye care. Would I be a fit?” Those concerns quickly faded. From training to his first day on-site, he was met with support, steady guidance, and a sense of respect that made expectations clear while leaving room to learn.

As a volunteer at the Eye Institute, Rakesh supported patient flow, prepared exam rooms, assisted with eye drops, and helped ensure patients felt comfortable and cared for. The work mattered but so did his approach. “I don’t perform my duties like a robot,” Rakesh explained. “Whenever I greet any patient, it’s a ‘how are you doing?’ ‘How was your commute?’ Everything matters. I like how I’m encouraged to be personable.”

Working alongside doctors and clinical teams reshaped his perspective. “Back in India, I was in the role of the doctor,” he reflected. “Here, I came with experience but now understand what it’s like on the other side of the table. I have more empathy.”

The Eye Institute helped polish not just his technical abilities, but his communication, cultural awareness, and approach to care. “The skills were there,” he said. “And I continue to be able to freshen them up here. I’m happy I have the opportunity to grow every day.”

With a young son at home and a long commute from Scarborough, flexibility mattered. Instead of rigid expectations, Rakesh found understanding. “They considered my life – asked about my schedule and what worked best for me,” he said. Volunteering became part of his family’s routine. “Even my son knows. On Tuesdays, he will ask, ‘Papa, are you going to the clinic to volunteer?’”

Sally Blainey, Manager, Volunteer Services, shares, “It’s through the contributions of our amazing, dedicated community members, like Rakesh, that our Volunteer Services team is able to support and enhance the many programs and services that Kensington Health offers.”

As Rakesh prepares to begin an intensive dental program in Canada, bringing him one step closer to the career he once held, he carries Kensington Health with him.

“It’s just like another family,” he said.

For newcomers starting over, Rakesh’s story is a reminder that rebuilding does not mean starting from nothing. Sometimes, it starts with a welcoming door, a supportive team, and the chance to belong.

If you are interested in volunteering, we are always happy to have your support, whether as a friendly visitor in our long-term care home, hospice or community programs or working alongside volunteers like Rakesh in our Ambulatory clinics. Learn more about volunteering at Kensington Health: Volunteer 

This February, we’re proud to mark the 20th anniversary of the Eye Institute at Kensington Health. For two decades, the Eye Institute has been a leader in eye care, advancing treatments, supporting our community, and training the next generation of health professionals.