Calm in the crease: Learning to lead through action and reliability

From the ringette crease to a busy medical school schedule, Holly Kozan’s journey is defined by home-grown pride and a "calm under pressure" mindset.

Growing up in White City, Saskatchewan, Holly always had medicine on her radar, inspired by a family doctor who showed her the impact of community care. After earning a degree in kinesiology, she realized she loved the science of the human body just as much as the clinical connection with patients. When it came time to decide where to attend medical school, the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Medicine was her only choice.

"The love I have for this province runs deep," she says. Now, as a student at the Regina Campus, her journey has come full circle – studying within the walls of the hospital where her community receives care.

However, Holly’s journey has not been without its hurdles. Her first year was a whirlwind of adjusting to a heavy workload while trying to coach and play at an elite level. "I remember having a few ‘this is too much’ moments," she admits. Through the support of her family and the Regina Campus staff, she learned to give herself the grace she needed.

Now in her second year, she has learned the art of balance – waking up early on game days to study or missing social events for practice. For Holly, it's about consistency and routines.

But she isn’t navigating through medical school alone. Holly shares this journey with her sister, Ellie. "I think we both dreamed of being on this journey together," Holly shares. Whether they are holding each other accountable during late-night study sessions or cheering each other on, having a sister who truly "gets it" has been her greatest advantage.

While her studies and her position with the NRL's Saskatchewan Heat take up much of her time, Holly remains committed to giving back. She serves as a representative for the Wellness Committee, a member of the Sports Medicine Interest Group, and volunteers at goalie clinics for local athletes. She also enjoys some quiet time sitting down with a good book and is always looking for recommendations on what to read next.

As she looks toward her future, keeping herself open to different specialties like Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and Sports Medicine, Holly carries the lessons from the ice into her education and future as a physician. "As a goaltender, there is the expectation of staying calm under pressure," she says. It’s that same reliability and "calm confidence" she plans to bring to her future patients.

For Kozan, the goal is clear: to remain a lifelong learner and a difference-maker.

"Having the opportunity to study medicine at home allows me to give back to the people who have supported me along the way."