Understanding 2SLGBTQ+ Health: Moving Toward A Culture of Inclusion and Excellence In Care
- Date
- June 24, 2025
- Time
- 12:00 PM EDT - 1:00 PM EDT
- Location
- Virtual
- Contact
- Melissa Carvalho | mcarvalho@torontomu.ca
Hosted by
TMU School of Medicine | Community, Culture and Belonging Office
Celebrate Pride Month with TMU School of Medicine
TMU School of Medicine is committed to its focus on creating an institutional environment that fosters an equitable and inclusive culture. The school demonstrates that commitment as it celebrates Pride Month this year from Sunday, June 1, 2025 to Monday, June 30, 2025.
June has been historically recognized as Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall Riots on June 28, 1969. Although it has been celebrated for more than 50 years, June was officially declared Pride Month in 2000 in the United States. In Canada, the first Pride demonstrations took place in Ottawa and Vancouver in 1971, marking a very important milestone. What began as a protest against police brutality has turned into an annual celebration of diversity; however, we cannot forget that there is still work to be done.
As a medical school, we acknowledge the health disparities that affect our 2SLGBTQI+ communities and strive to promote a community that fosters inclusive healthcare for all.
Please join TMU School of Medicine as it celebrates the history, courage and diversity of our community’s Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Intersex (2SLGBTQI+) communities.
Event description
Led by Dr. Ashifa Jiwa, a family doctor, emergency physician, and Associate Dean of Equity and Social Accountability at TMU’s School of Medicine, this vital webinar is designed to enhance understanding and move toward excellence in healthcare for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. This session will delve into essential terminology and language, explore common barriers 2SLGBTQ+ people encounter in healthcare settings, and provide practical strategies for clinicians to reduce these barriers.
Participants will learn how to foster more inclusive environments through the use of gender-inclusive language, affirming signage, and knowledgeable screening and prevention practices. This webinar aims to equip healthcare professionals and community members alike with the tools to create truly equitable and affirming healthcare.
About the speaker
Dr. Ashifa Jiwa (she/her) is a family doctor and emergency physician who currently practices in the area of gender-affirming care in Guelph. She completed her medical degree at Western University and her residency at University of British Columbia. She has had the immense privilege of working within a variety of diverse communities over the years, which has inspired her to better understand the different ways in which health system inequities can impact communities, and to work toward improving these imbalances for vulnerable populations.
Dr. Jiwa has a passion for medical education and enjoys studying the intersection of social sciences and medicine. She believes that physicians are ideally placed to be strong advocates for both individual patients and system-wide changes that can increase equity and justice within our healthcare system.