Coming Full Circle
Dr. Kathleen MacMillan’s Journey Home to Miramichi
For Dr. Kathleen MacMillan, medicine has always felt like home. Growing up in Miramichi with a radiologist father and a pharmacist mother, she learned early that health care is not only about science and skill but also about compassion, teamwork, and dedication. Watching her father commit more than a decade of study to become a radiologist showed her just how much perseverance the profession demands. From both parents, she drew inspiration and a sense of purpose that would guide her own path.
Her journey began with pharmacy, following in her mother’s footsteps. The experience gave her confidence and sharpened her leadership and communication skills, while also sparking an interest in collaboration across the health professions. That background would later shape the way she approaches medicine. When she entered medical school, radiology quickly caught her attention. Shadowing interventional radiologists in Saint John revealed the precision and impact of image-guided procedures. Later, returning to Miramichi for her clerkship, she trained under Dr. Chris Martin and Dr. François Swart, whose mentorship, along with her father’s example, confirmed her decision to pursue radiology.
Today, Dr. MacMillan is a radiology resident at Dalhousie University, entering her thirteenth year of post-secondary education. The road has been long, but she speaks with gratitude about the family, mentors, and community who have supported her at every step.
“That encouragement has made all the difference,” she says
Leadership and mentorship have been a defining part of her journey. She founded the Miramichi Medical Mentorship Program to encourage local students to explore careers in medicine, and she has served in leadership roles provincially and nationally, including President of Maritime Resident Doctors and Chair of the Canadian Association of Radiologists Resident and Fellow Section. Along the way, she has been recognized with several awards, including the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award and the Iype/Wilfred Resident Award from the New Brunswick Medical Society. The latter was especially meaningful, as she was nominated by her friend and mentor, Dr. Nir Shoham-Hazon.
Despite her many achievements, Miramichi remains at the heart of Dr. MacMillan’s story. During her maternity leave, she has returned home to be surrounded by the support of family and friends while spending precious time with her daughter, Anna. Her husband, Alex, is also from Miramichi, and together they feel deeply rooted in the community they both love.
What stands out most to her is the sense of connection Miramichi offers. She recalls being able to reach out to local physicians during her training for guidance and always receiving thoughtful, generous support.
“Not every resident has that kind of connection,” she explains. “It really speaks to the community we have here.”
Looking ahead, Dr. MacMillan hopes to build a career that balances image interpretation with direct patient care, all while raising her family in a supportive, family-friendly community. She also hopes to see Miramichi continue to encourage local students to pursue medicine and to welcome new physicians who want to join a collaborative, community-focused environment.
For Dr. Kathleen MacMillan, medicine has never been just about a career. It is about family, mentorship, and community. And in Miramichi, she has found all three.
