July 20th, 2023
Register Here for our networking event:
Information about our networking day
In person and online.
9am -4pm MDT – Calgary.
11am – 7pm EST – Ontario.
DESCRIPTION
To kick off the North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC) 2023, PEGASUS Institute, the Alberta International Medical Graduate Association (AIMGA) and the Washington Academy for International Medical Graduates (WAIMG) are hosting a free, pre-conference networking event on Thursday, July 20th (9:30am-3:00pm, MST). During this event, several important topics related to internationally trained physicians and in particular refugees, and their successful integration into the health system will be discussed. Specific topics will include: a compare/contrast of the integration of IMGs across the USA and Canada, personal stories from international medical graduates and their unique challenges, alternative careers and viable career options, as well as the current situation and next steps to push advocacy, licensure opportunities, and utilization of IMGs. You can sign up to attend this event in person or online.
Biographies
- Minoo Mahmoudi – Dr. Mahmoudi is a psychiatrist who specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry. Born in Iran, Dr. Mahmoudi came to Canada where she completed her residency at University of Manitoba in 2014. She currently lives and practices in California, and is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
- Sepideh Behroozan- Dr. Behroozan came to Nova Scotia from Iran, where she was a practicing physician. She graduated from Dalhousie University in 2015, and subsequently entered a residency program for family medicine in Halifax. She is currently a refugee clinic doctor, and a board member of the Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians.
- Saida Fatima- Saida is a medical doctor who graduated from India and worked as a family physician in India and the Sultanate of Oman after that. Saida is presently a graduate student at the University of Waterloo in the Master of Public Health program. She is currently an intern at the Canadian Institute of Health Research and assists PEGASUS in the mapping of career pathways for medical professionals with international education or training.
- Samson Akparorue- Samson was a veterinary officer in Nigeria before coming to Canada as a refugee. He is currently studying a MSc in Global Health Management at McMaster University and is an intern with PEGASUS where he is developing a network for refugee health professionals. Additionally, Samson manages the Refugee Help Network that connects refugees to resources.
- Vanig Garabedian – Dr.Garabedian studied medicine at Tishreen University, Syria in 1994. He completed his OB/GYN residency and practiced as an OB/GYN for 16 plus years. He was the director of the largest public hospital in the Middle East. He came to Canada as a refugee in 2015 where he has been a speaker at numerous conferences including the SOGC annual conference. His long-term goal is to return to medicine practice in Canada as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. He is a LMCC on the Medical Council of Canada. Also, he is a board member at Society of Refugee Health Care providers and National Refugee Task force at TD Bank.
- Shpresa Aliu-Berisha – Dr. Aliu Berisha studied her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Prishtina in Kosovo between 1993-1998. She came to Canada as a refugee and has worked as a Clinical Assistant Professor at McMaster University and is a physician at Shalom Village in Hamilton, Ontario.
- Dr. Raul Garcia – is a Venezuelan trained physician with a deep commitment to the health of the human heart. He has extensive clinical experience in cardiology. Raul is passionate about learning and staying up to date on medical advances. As a researcher, he has been involved in cardiovascular and metabolic research and believes in preventive medicine to reduce the need for pharmacological measures. Before moving to Canada, he worked in Jamaica as consultant physician in clinical cardiology. Raul currently volunteers with Alberta Health Services at the Northern Lights Regional Health Center in Fort McMurray and works as a pharmacy assistant, roles in which he utilizes his skills and knowledge to help patients in Canada’s health system.
- Dr. Oghale Osule – is an internationally trained health care professional with over 10 years experience in Family and Community Health service delivery. She holds a Masters degree in Public Health (Reproductive and Family Health) and several certifications including Mental Health and Addictions Recovery, Leadership and Management in Health and Global Health Project Management. She has excellent communication and organizational skills and is an advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion. She has led and participated in numerous outreaches and health campaign and is passionate about health promotion and policy development. She is skilled in health research and has been involved in several projects from planning, implementation through to evaluation. Oghale continues to explore pathways to contribute to the healthcare system that align with her skills and interests.
- Dr. Seinyenede Onobrakpor– is an award winning medical practitioner. She holds a dual master’s degree in international public health and health management from the University of New South Wales, Australia. She is passionate about health systems improvement and sustainability and health equity targeted to vulnerable populations. Her experience over the last 10 years has been in a variety of roles in both the private and public sector in developing and developed countries where she has passionately delivered and influenced policy makers to improve the health and social outcomes of vulnerable population groups. One of the highlights of her career has been managing large scale health projects that facilitated the integration of innovations into health system across Australia. Her current challenge is using innovative technology strategies to improve the quality of life of Canadians who are English learners. Seinyende is a dedicated and committed individual who is now looking to expand her expertise and skills and apply them in alternative careers in healthcare.
- Dr. Neil Arya– is a family doctor in Kitchener, Ontario where he has run a refugee health clinic since 2008 and heads up the PEGASUS Institute. He is Adjunct Professor at the University of Waterloo and Western, McMaster and Wilfrid Laurier Universities and is on the NARHC Organizing Committee, has co-edited the book Underserved and had been an investigator in several research projects and published many papers related to refugee health.
- Individuals are still being confirmed and there may be changes to the above list.
Networking day Agenda
July 21 – 23, 2023
Information about the NARHC Conference
Calgary TELUS convention centre. July 21st – 23rd, 2023
DESCRIPTION
The NARHC is the annual 3-day conference for healthcare and resettlement professionals in refugee and immigrant health. PEGASUS and partners will be hosting a lunchtime session on the 21st and a table with information about us.
Event Sponsors
