Summer Institute on Refugee Health and

Date: TBD

Call for Applications – Application Deadline: TBD

The Catholic Centre for Immigrants and the University of Ottawa are proud to host the National Summer Institute in Refugee Health, presented by the WHO Collaborating Centre on Technology Assessment and Health Equity and the Canadian Collaboration for Immigrant and Refugee Health. This exciting one-week leadership program is designed for medical students and international medical graduates seeking valuable experience in cross cultural communication skills, PTSD and medical expertise, and leading community service learning programs.

Since 2004, physicians from the Department of Family Medicine and University of Ottawa medical students have played a key role in developing and delivering health advocacy for refugees arriving at the Maison Sophia Reception House in Ottawa. This transitional residential facility operated by the Catholic Centre for Immigrants has hosted thousands of refugee families that have arrived from Chad, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, Iraq, Bhutan, the Thai/Myanmar border, and most recently, Syria. Infectious diseases, malnutrition, physical and/or emotional trauma are notably some of the health conditions experienced by refugees in their host country where they’ve had little to no access to health care. Upon arrival to Canada, refugees encounter barriers to health care due to poor health literacy skills, the need for translators, and poor understanding of the health care system. Thus, it is crucial that health care professionals and trainees are equipped with the cultural competence and understanding both necessary to address the complex health care needs of refugees.

Objectives:

  • Engage in leadership workshops: Dr. Kevin Pottie, Dr. Doug Gruner, Dr. David Ponka, and Heather Thomson, national and international experts in refugee health and MSF
  • Learn excellent cultural competency and communication skills, increase your global understanding of current world issues, and gain leadership, health promotion and advocacy skills
  • Gain valuable tools to become leaders in refugee health by learning how to operate community service learning programs with refugees, as well as how to build new programs

Partner Organizations

The CCIRH‘s Summer Institute gratefully acknowledges the support provided though partnership with the Canadian Medical Association, the Ontario College of Family Physicians, Médecins Sans Frontières Canada, Department of Family Medicine and the WHO Collaborating Centre at the Bruyère Research Institute, University of Ottawa.

Logo: Ontario College of Family Physicians
Logo: Doctors Without Borders
Logo: Bruyère

Past Supporters

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) has also been an essential supporter of our 2015 Summer Institute.

Logo: The College of Family Physicians of Canada

Applications

Applications include a CV, as well as a one-page letter of intent describing why you wish to attend and how you would benefit from the Institute.

To apply, or to request more information please contact: TBD