Many assume doctors only focus on clinical medicine. But what happens when a physician tackles financial literacy head-on?
In this episode of Smart Growth Rocket, host Francesca Cadhit is joined by Dr. Steph Zhou, Clinical Director of Addictions Medicine, Department Lead in EDI & Social Accountability at Sunnybrook Hospital, and Founder of Breaking Bad Debt.
From translating pay stubs as a child of immigrants to creating a physician financial literacy curriculum and leading a national financial wellness conference, Dr. Zhou is redefining what it means to combine medicine, money, and mentorship.
Along the way, she shares practical lessons for students, parents, and professionals.
🎧 ▶ In this episode, we cover:
How growing up as an immigrant shaped her lifelong mission in education and equity
Why she became a “de-influencer” on social media, promoting frugality over FOMO
What students need to know about OSAP, grants, scholarships, and lines of credit
How physicians and students alike can set boundaries to protect time, family, and energy
Lessons on bias, motherhood, and supporting women in medicine
Why success is less about status and more about lifting others as we learn
If you’re a student navigating higher education costs, a parent guiding your child, or a professional curious about money, equity, and impact, this episode is filled with stories and strategies you won’t want to miss.
👉 About Dr. Steph Zhou:
Dr. Stephanie Zhou is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, where she created the financial literacy curriculum and is the Director of Addiction Medicine at Sunnybrook Hospital. She graduated from a MD/MSc program jointly with the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, and Rotman School of Management.
Dr. Zhou immigrated to Canada and grew up in subsidized housing, which led to her investing in education and housing initiatives through philanthropy. She founded the annual Physicians Financial Wellness conference, a national, philanthropic conference for physicians on financial education and practice management. The ticket proceeds were used to establish The Equity Award, an endowment fund supporting students with financial need.
Dr. Zhou received Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women award and the Ascend Canada Social Impact Award for her work in improving economic mobility through financial literacy. Dr. Zhou is a nationally invited speaker on personal finance and runs a popular financial education blog on Instagram and Youtube called Breaking Bad Debt.
The Canadian Physicians Financial Wellness Conference:
https://www.physiciansficonference.com/Â
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/BreakingBadDebtÂ
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/breakingbaddebtÂ
👉 About Francesca Cadhit
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescacadhit/Â
🚀 About Smart Growth Rocket
Real-world lessons. Unexpected journeys. Growth beyond grades.
Hosted by Francesca Cadhit of TopClassEdge.com, Smart Growth Rocket brings you inspiring stories from educators, innovators, and changemakers helping students and professionals level up - in school, career, and life.
If you're a student, parent, or lifelong learner who wants real insight, this show is for you.
❤️ Know someone this episode could help? Pass it on.
You’ll help a friend or student get inspired or unstuck.
You’ll start a conversation that matters.
You’ll be part of a community redefining what smart growth looks like.
This podcast is a labour of love, from planning and interviews to editing and publishing, and your support means the world. Thank you for being here.
