Gordon Page Invited Lecture
Thirusha Naidu, PhD
Canada Research Chair in Equity and Social Justice in Global Medical Education & Associate Professor, Department of Innovation in Medical Education (DIME), University of Ottawa
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Honorary Senior Visiting Fellow, Public Health & Primary Care, University of Cambridge
Biography: Dr. Thirusha Naidu is an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Equity and Social Justice in Global Medical Education in the Department of Innovation in Medical Education (DIME), at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Naidu is dually appointed as an Associate Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in the Department of Psychiatry. She is a descendant of indentured slaves displaced in the service of colonialism. A woman of colour, Dr. Naidu grew up and was trained as a professional psychologist in apartheid era South Africa. Her research approach references critical and theoretical perspectives on health and health professions education through decolonial and feminist theories. Inspired to give voice and make space for women of colour in research and health, she uses research poetry as a method for deep reflexivity to document, present, and illustrate experiences and research findings. Her clinical work focuses on psychotherapy for severe mental disorders and the mental health of health care workers. Dr. Naidu’s research focus areas include mental health medical education and global health in the contexts of mental health and infectious diseases (HIV and MDR-TB, FGS etc.).
Closing Plenary
Dzung X. Vo, MD, FAAP, FSAHM
Head, Division of Adolescent Health and Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
Director, BC Children’s Hospital Centre for Mindfulness
Biography: Dr. Dzung X. Vo is a pediatrician specializing in Adolescent Medicine, Clinical Associate Professor, and Head of the Division of Adolescent Health and Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, at BC Children’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is the co-founder and Director of the BC Children’s Hospital Centre for Mindfulness, which has the vision of nurturing Mindful Community, Compassionate Care. Dr. Vo earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Vo is the author of The Mindful Teen: Powerful Skills to Help You Handle Stress One Moment at a Time. Dr. Vo also developed the Mindful Healing course for health care providers, drawing on the work of Ron Epstein, Michael Krasner, and others, to help professionals cultivate their own mindfulness, compassion, and resilience so that they can be of the most service as healers. Dr. Vo is also interested in health disparities, cultural competence, and the health of structurally marginalized youth.
Jillian Lin, MD
Pediatrics Resident Physician, UBC Pediatrics PGY-3
Biography: Dr. Jillian Lin is a third-year pediatrics resident at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Lin earned their medical degree from UBC, and a master’s degree in biotechnology from the University of Toronto. Prior to medicine, they contributed to the development of targeted therapies and point-of-care biomarker tests. Since their medical career, they have shown passion towards the humanities of medicine. Dr. Lin started the Bhutan Health Project with UBC Global Health Initiatives, focusing on youth mental health and cultural sensitivity through collaboration with local partners. Their volunteer work in palliative care, crisis centre, and suicide line strengthened their understanding of compassionate care. Outside of work, Dr. Lin is interested in oriental philosophies such as Taoism and Buddhism, and has practiced mindfulness since medical school, using it as a tool to navigate challenges and maintain well-being.