Refugee Health Primer: Optimizing Primary Care for Refugee Newcomers Conference
Register now for the Refugee Health Primer: Optimizing Primary Care for Refugee Newcomers Conference, held in person on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 from 7:30 am – 5:00 pm at the Women’s College Hospital.
This is a joint collaboration between the University of Toronto, Department of Family & Community Medicine & Women’s College Hospital and will feature key guest speakers.
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 from 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
WHERE: Women’s College Hospital, (Auditorium) 76 Grenville St, Toronto, ON
Conference Details:
The Refugee Primer will provide clinicians with practical skills to address the unique needs of newly arrived refugees to Canada. This one-day conference will allow clinicians to identify common and serious health challenges that confront their refugee patients and describe an approach to management of these conditions. It will also help clinicians identify resources to address the existing resource gaps that arise in the care of refugee populations. The Primer will provide opportunities to health care providers to participate in and join existing networks of refugee serving clinicians.
We believe that the sharing of this knowledge will address systemic and structural health inequities faced by refugees. Embrace a community-serving mindset in the curriculum that pays special attention to health equity in considering population health outcomes and social structural determinants of health, including training in patient and system advocacy.
View program and speakers list here.
Organizations tabling at the event:
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CCVT (Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture) – Providing essential settlement, Health and Mental Health services for survivors of Torture and crimes against Humanity, CCVT offers healing and empowerment through counseling, education, and legal support. It also provides public education as per mandate.
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The Mary Ward Centre – A hub for education and social justice, the Mary Ward Centre supports community initiatives, human rights learning opportunities, and advocacy efforts to protect the rights of refugees, migrants, and victims and survivors of human trafficking.
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FCJ Refugee Centre – With an open-door approach, we advocate and assist vulnerable populations, ensuring everyone has access to services and resources.
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Newcomer Women's Services Toronto – Equipping newcomer women and their families with the tools, confidence, and community they need to lead and succeed in Canada. Services include employment and language training, leadership development, upskilling, settlement support, and more.
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Hope for Refugees – Dedicated to helping newcomers rebuild their lives, Hope for Refugees offers settlement assistance and advocacy.
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PTMOF (Pelletier Teenage Mother Foundation) – Supporting young mothers, PTMOF provides guidance, education, and services to help them thrive.
Refugee Health Primer Planning Committee: Dr. Meb Rashid, Dr. Melanie Henry, Dr. Elaine Goulbourne, Dr. Vanessa Wright, Dr. Vanessa Reddit, Dr. Laura Carson, Dr. Milica Novakovic, Dr. Sandra T. Phan, Ms. Jamie Rodas, Ms. Matina Haralampous, Ms. Susen Rabold & Ms. Anna Loi
For any questions, please contact anna.loi@utoronto.ca.