UOHS 2024 is going to be an amazing conference! Learn about our keynote speakers below
UOHS 2021 Keynote Speakers
Check out the keynote lineup we have this year! These amazing and inspiring speakers are the cornerstone of UOHS 2021.
DR. VERA ETCHES
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR OPH
MD, CCFP, MHSC, FRCPC, Deputy Medical Officer of Health for Ottawa Public Health, Adjunct Professor in the School of Epidemiology and Public Health at University of Ottawa.
Dr. Etches was appointed as Medical Officer of Health for Ottawa Public Health (OPH) in April 2018, having served as Deputy MOH from 2014 to 2017. As Deputy MOH, Dr. Etches supported the organization in delivering quality, client-centered services; contributed to knowledge transfer and applied public health research; and reinforced population health assessment, surveillance, and program evaluation. In her role as Associate Medical Officer of Health at OPH from 2009 to 2014, Dr. Etches was responsible for the management of teams that provided clinical services to prevent and treat sexually transmitted infections and blood-borne illnesses as well as clinical services to prevent and treat dental health problems. Prior to joining OPH in 2009, Dr. Etches served as an Associate Medical Officer of Health, Acting Medical Officer of Health and Director of Clinical Services at the Sudbury & District Health Unit (SDHU) after completing her specialty training in Public Health and Preventive Medicine in 2005. Dr. Etches is a native of Hazelton, British Columbia. She started her post-secondary career by completing a Bachelor of Science at Simon Fraser University and went on to complete her Medical Doctorate at the University of British Columbia followed by a Masters of Health Science, and a Fellowship in Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Dr. Etches is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Ottawa, where she continues to supervise medical residents in Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Family Medicine.
DR. GIGI OSLER
FIRST WOMEN OF COLOR AND FIRST FEMALE SURGEON TO BECOME CMA PRESIDENT
BSc (Med), MD, FRCSC; Assistant Professor at University of Manitoba; Past President of Canadian Medical Association
Dr. Osler is an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Manitoba, and a dedicated advocate for equity and diversity, physician wellness, global health, and virtual care. She is chair of the Canadian Medical Forum, president-elect of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada, 2nd vice president-elect of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and the Regional Secretary for North America and the Caribbean, International Federation of ORL Societies.
As the 2018-19 Canadian Medical Association (CMA) president, Dr. Osler had a profound impact in raising the profile of equity and diversity both within the profession and the CMA itself. She led the CMA’s involvement in several equity and diversity initiatives which led to the development of CMA’s first ever policy on equity and diversity in medicine. More generally, as the self-described first female surgeon and woman of colour to serve as CMA President, she has been an inspiration to medical women across Canada.
In her leadership roles, she has fostered engagement with physicians and allied health care professionals across Canada and the world. She has been awarded the Doctors Manitoba Health or Safety Promotion Award, a University of Manitoba Distinguished Alumni Award, the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada May Cohen Equity, Diversity and Gender Award, named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network, a CMA Physician Changemaker, and named to the Canadian Women in Global Health List.
