Human Rights And Health: Compassion and Advocacy as a Physician’s Duty
Description
Join us on International Human Rights Day for a keynote address and panel discussion on the connection between human rights and health, and the role physicians play in advancing social justice and health equity.
The event features Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Palestinian-Canadian physician and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, delivering a virtual keynote, followed by an in-person panel discussion with:
Dr. Jamaica Cass - Indigenous physician and Order of Ontario recipient
Dr. Naheed Dosani - palliative care physician and health justice advocate
Dr. Uchechukwu Ngwaba - international human rights lawyer and global health expert
The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Ashifa Jiwa, Associate Dean of Equity and Social Accountability at the TMU School of Medicine.
The event is open to learners, faculty and the wider community. Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served. Please note this is an in-person only event.
Date: December 10, 2026
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m. The keynote and panel discussion begin at 6:30 p.m.
Location: TMU School of Medicine, 150 Central Park Dr, Brampton, ON
Lineup
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish
A well-known physician from Gaza. Dr. Abuelaish is the founder of the newly established Global Institute for the Study of Socio-endemic Diseases, Hatred, Health and Peace (GISED), located at KU Leuven. Often referred to as the "Gaza Doctor," he is a globally recognized Palestinian-Canadian physician, educator, and peace advocate who made history as the first Palestinian doctor to hold a medical appointment at an Israeli hospital. Driven by his belief in using health as a bridge for reconciliation, he transformed immense personal grief—following the tragic loss of his three daughters and niece during the 2009 Gaza War—into a lifelong mission for non-violence and human dignity. In their memory, he founded the Daughters for Life Foundation to provide educational scholarships to young women across the Middle East, and authored the internationally bestselling memoir I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity. A multi-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Abuelaish’s humanitarian work has earned him widespread international acclaim, including the Order of Ontario, the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award of Canada, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Dr. Abuelaish will deliver his keynote address virtually.
Dr. Jamaica Cass
An Indigenous Physician and Order of Ontario recipient, who focuses on creating equal healthcare opportunities for Indigenous people, and reconciliation. Dr. Cass bridges local health disparities with self-determination, addressing the ongoing impacts of colonial policy on health and highlighting models of culturally safe, community-led care.
Dr. Naheed Dosani
A palliative care physician and a health justice activist. Dr. Dosani has dedicated his career to advancing equitable access to health care for people experiencing structural vulnerabilities like poverty and homelessness. He founded and leads the Palliative Education and Care for the Homeless (PEACH) Program at the Inner City Health Associates in downtown Toronto. Dr. Dosani has been awarded multiple prestigious awards for his work, and has been granted an honourary doctorate in law from Ontario Tech University.
Dr. Uchechukwu Ngwaba
An International Human Rights Lawyer specializing in Governance and Global Health. Dr. Ngwaba holds a PhD in Health Law, and runs a global health research program focussed on decolonizing global health and equity-driven policy, human rights and health systems strengthening, and regional approaches to global health governance.
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