HEALTHCARING DIFFERENTLY

Founder & Host

Our Staff

Jia Hu is a public health physician and family doctor who works within the Population and Public Health team the BCCDC. He is the co-founder of 19 To Zero, a not-for-profit aimed at increasing public health behaviours like vaccinations and cancer screening. He is also a Medical Director with Cleveland Clinic's Global Corporate Advisory program and serves on the board of Partners in Health Canada.

Yvonne is the Founder & CEO of Med Melanin. Deeply moved by the challenges faced by women of color in healthcare, particularly in instances of misdiagnosis and unequal treatment, led her to speak with over 300 patients. Her passion for health equity led to the creation of Med Melanin. With over 6 years of experience in partnerships, sales and program management as well as 5 years in healthcare she is dedicated to using this experience to foster an environment where every woman feels safe when navigating their healthcare journey. Yvonne holds a Masters of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology from University of Waterloo and a BSc Honors in Neuroscience & Mental Health with a double minor in ASL & business from Carleton University.

Dr. David Burt is an immunologist with more than 30 years research experience leading scientific teams in the development of vaccines against influenza, SARS and RSV. He received his Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Birmingham, UK and has published over 40 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts and is co-inventor on 7 patents. Dr. Burt was a member of the City of Toronto’s Black Scientist Task Force on Vaccine Equity whose mandate was to engage communities most impacted by the pandemic around issues related to COVID-19 and vaccines. Currently, Dr. Burt is President of D. S. Burt, R&D Consulting.

Dr. Placide Rubabaza is a Past President of the Black Physicians' Association of Ontario and a highly regarded gynecologist with extensive experience in women's health. He earned his medical degree from the University of Ottawa where he developed a passion for providing compassionate care to women of all ages. Dr. Rubabaza specializes in minimally invasive gynecology and general obstetrics, and is one of Durham’s leading medical providers. Dr. Rubabaza fosters strong relationships with his patients, ensuring they receive personalized care tailored to their unique needs.

Uche Nwagbo is a dynamic entrepreneur and fashion visionary, best known as the founder of Alter Ego Clothing. With a foundation in retail and creative thinking honed during her tenure at Apple, Uche applies a unique perspective to her work, blending innovation and design. Passionate about empowering individuals to express themselves authentically through fashion, she has built a brand celebrated for its bold, statement-making styles. Uche’s approach reflects her belief in thinking outside the box and creating transformative experiences. Her dedication to creativity and her entrepreneurial spirit continue to inspire others in the realms of business and design.

Ike Okafor, is the founder of the Office of Access and Outreach (OAO) in the University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and has been working on access initiative within the University of Toronto as a student, alumni and staff a combined 25 years. The OAO supports thousands of high school, undergraduates and non-traditional prospective health sciences students with career exploration and mentorship opportunities. Ike has supported the growth of Black Student Application Pathways and undergraduate mentorship programs across Canada that have resulted in the significant and historic growth of Black medical students across Canadian medical schools.

Deandra Romain