Our Team

VP Global Health

Michelle Quaye
University of Western Ontario
[email protected]
Michelle Quaye is a third year medical student at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. Michelle has a strong interest in global health, and was previously Global Health Liaison (GHL) at her medical school. She is also carrying out research focused on global mental health in the Kenyan context, and was part of the inaugural Global MINDS fellowship program at Western University. Michelle is responsible for coordinating the CFMS Global Health Program. She forms and maintains dynamic partnerships with Canadian and international organizations, to support the interests of medical students studying in Canada with respect to global health, international development, and public health. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys being a Girl Guides of Canada Brownie leader, and travelling to new places.

NEO – Incoming Exchanges
Hillary Pearson
University of British Columbia
[email protected]
Hillary is responsible for incoming exchange students coming to Canada. She works with elective co-ordinators, researchers and local exchange teams at each university to host medical students in clinical clerkships and research internships. She also works with the outgoing exchange officer to grow the CFMS’s exchange program, providing opportunities for Canadian and international students to travel, learn and experience medicine in new cultures.

NEO – Outgoing Exchanges
Charly Coleman
Queen's University
[email protected]
Charly Coleman is excited to join the Global Health team at the CFMS. She is a second-year medical student at Queen’s University. Working with the National Exchange Officer Incoming, the local exchange officers at Canadian universities, and other National Officers abroad, she wants to continue to provide meaningful and ethical experiences for Canadian students to undergo international learning and research opportunities.

Asha Behdinan
University of Toronto
[email protected]
Asha Behdinan is a fourth year medical student at the University of Toronto. She previously completed her Bachelor of Arts and Science at McMaster University with a specialization in economics. Over her preclerkship years, she has been involved in the Day of Action research committee and has continued to work on opioid overuse research on behalf of CFMS. At U of T she has also led initiatives on antimicrobial resistance and social justice in medical education. This year, Asha aims to increase the CFMS involvement within the International Federation of Medical Students Associations, as well as launch a national advocacy campaign on the annual theme of refugee and migrant health. She is very excited to bring her passion and enthusiasm for global health advocacy to the NORP portfolio this year.

Emily Fong
University of Alberta
[email protected]
Emily Fong is a third year medical student at the University of Alberta with a keen interest in social justice, community engagement, and international development. In her undergraduate years she worked as a student researcher at SickKids' Centre for Global Child Health and as a fellow for the Global Autism Project. During her time at the University of Alberta, she has been responsible for implementing pre-departure training for international elective students, designing global health simulations to supplement current medical school curriculum, and leading MD Admissions Initiative for Diversity and Equity. She is excited to take on the role as the National Officer of Partnerships and looks to further CFMS involvement with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations and to facilitate national collaboration amongst the Global Health Liaisons.

Julia Sawatzky
University of Alberta
[email protected]
Julia Sawatzky is a second-year medical student at the University of Alberta, and previously completed a BSc in Medicine at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She has been a Local Officer of Global Health Education at the U of A since her first year, in which role she has worked to expand pre-departure training for international elective students and contribute to curricular advocacy projects pertaining to global health and social justice. She has been part of the CFMS Health and Environment Task Force (HEART) over the past year and is looking forward to participating in more national collaboration as she steps into the role of NOGHE.

Michaela Ryan
Memorial University of Newfoundland
[email protected]
Michaela Ryan is a third-year medical student at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She previously completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours) jointly in Chemistry and Biochemistry. Michaela is passionate about global health, with a particular interest in reproductive and sexual health. During her pre-clerkship years, Michaela served as an executive co-chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group at her medical school as well as participated in two IFMSA exchanges, most recently travelling to Poland to learn about gender and sexual reproductive health. This year, Michaela aims to increase awareness about sexual and reproductive health opportunities for medical students across Canada, compile a few reproductive and sexual health position papers, and promote awareness campaigns for World AIDS Day, International Women’s Day and International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Joshua Nash
University of Calgary
[email protected]
Joshua Nash is a second year medical student at the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine. Previously, he has completed a Bachelor of Science in biology at the University of Saskatchewan. Joshua is a member of the Tahltan First Nation located in Northern British Columbia. Josh has a strong interest in public and health policy, as well as child and adolescent wellbeing. Currently he sits on the Advisory Committee for the Katinnganiq Initiative, which aims to implement preventive and protective measures to reduce suicide risk in Nunavut through a community-based digital health and wellness approach, and he also assists on other projects and initiatives both locally and nationally. Within his role, Josh hopes to increase communication and collaboration with First Nation communities, agencies and organizations across Canada, and also create opportunities for medical students to engage in meaningful Indigenous health-focused activities and projects. Josh enjoys spending his time amongst his eleven siblings, playing soccer and volleyball, and trying new desserts.