Health Together hosts biweekly webinars featuring world-leading experts on important public health topics ranging from adolescent mental health and mindfulness to maternal mortality, traditional and complementary medicine, and reproductive justice around the globe. Explore our past webinars below to hear the voices and insights from BC-based and worldwide researchers and practitioners working on the frontlines of global public health.
The Mindful Teen: Mindfulness for Adolescents with Depression, Anxiety, Pain by Dr. Dzung Vo
Dr. Dzung X. Vo is a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine and the founding director of the BC Children’s Hospital Centre for Mindfulness. His clinical and research interests focus on stress and health, resilience, and mindfulness-based interventions with youth and healthcare professionals. He explores how mindfulness practices can support teenagers living with depression, anxiety, and chronic pain, offering tools for building emotional resilience and wellbeing.
Speaking the Unspeakable, Stopping the Unstoppable- Obstetric Violence and Birth Trauma by Dr. Heather Mattner
Dr. Heather Mattner is a perinatal psychologist and a midwife, with a background in paediatrics. In her psychology practice, she sees hundreds of women a year, with up to 90% of them experiencing birth trauma. In academia, she holds the title of Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide. She examines obstetric violence and birth trauma, naming experiences that are often left unspoken and exploring pathways toward accountability and healing.
Women’s Health and Health Promotion in a Marginalized Community in Hong Kong with Dr. Jane Zhao
Dr. Jane Zhao is a researcher at the University of Hong Kong whose work spans medical science, nutrition, and epidemiology, with a focus on the health of women in underserved communities. This webinar takes a look at the unique health challenges facing marginalized women in Hong Kong and the community-based health promotion strategies designed to support them.
Youth Access to Contraception in Canada: what happens when cost is removed? by Dr. Sarah Munro, Kaiya Jacob and Victoria Paller
Dr. Sarah Munro is a qualitative health services researcher whose focus is on knowledge translation and implementation science. Her research focuses on the investigation of factors that influence implementation of patient-centred practice and policy, and the development and evaluation of tools that support shared decision-making for patients and their care teams. Kaiya Jacob serves as Youth Partner Lead in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at UBC, bringing a youth-engaged perspective to contraception access research. Victoria Paller is a Master’s student in the same department, and has contributed to outreach activities, interview guide design, and scoping review work as part of the Ask Us project on youth contraception access in Canada. They investigate how removing financial barriers to contraception affects access and outcomes for young people across Canada.
Go with the Flow: A Game-Based Approach to Menstrual Health Education in India by Kiran Kulkarni
Kiran Kulkarni is an innovator in health education who developed a game-based approach to menstrual literacy, making reproductive health education more engaging and accessible for young people in India. She takes us through a presentation on an innovative, game-based program designed to make menstrual health education engaging, accessible, and destigmatizing for young people across India.
Role of community health workers in Maternal and Childcare: a case of Guinea Bissau by Dr. Luula Mariano
Dr. Luula Mariano is a global health leader and primary health care systems strengthening expert with over 35 years of experience as a medical doctor. She is a health system strengthening advisor for reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health development, with experience across South East Asia, South Asia, East and Southern Africa, West Africa, and the Caribbean. This webinar is an examination of how community health workers are delivering vital maternal and child healthcare in Guinea-Bissau, and the impact they have in underserved settings.
Integrated Care for Pregnant People Who Use Substances by Dr. Kellie Thiessen and Dr. Kristen Gaulbransen
Dr. Kellie Thiessen is a registered nurse, registered midwife, and PhD-holder serving as Midwifery Director at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Kristen Gulbransen is a registered nurse and PhD researcher at the University of Manitoba. Together, they have published scoping reviews on interprofessional care models for perinatal individuals who use substances. We discuss the compassionate, integrated care models that address the complex needs of pregnant people who use substances, prioritizing safety and dignity for both parent and child.
Homemade Orthotics for Foot and Knee Problems: A Functional Approach with Dr. Hélène Bertrand
Dr. Hélène Bertrand is a family physician based in North Vancouver, BC, with clinical expertise in prolotherapy and functional approaches to musculoskeletal pain, including foot and knee conditions. She takes us through a practical guide to creating simple, low-cost homemade orthotics as an accessible solution for managing common foot and knee problems.
Hypertensive Disorders of pregnancy among women of Southweatern Uganda by Dr. Henry M. Mugobe
Dr. Henry M. Mugobe is a researcher focused on maternal health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa, with particular attention to hypertensive conditions during pregnancy in Uganda. He takes us through an overview of the prevalence and impact of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy in southwestern Uganda, with a focus on improving detection and outcomes.
Changing the International Conversation through Qualitative Research by Dr. Soo Downe
Dr. Soo Downe spent 15 years working as a clinical and research midwife before joining the University of Central Lancashire, where she is now the Professor of Midwifery Studies. Her main research focus is the nature of, and cultures around, normal birth. She takes us through an exploration of how qualitative research methods can shift global health dialogues, centering the voices and experiences of those most affected.
Breaking the Stigma: The Role of Communication in Challenging Anti-Fatness Messaging During Pregnancy by Dr. Quinlan and Dr. Basinger
Dr. Quinlan and Dr. Basinger are researchers in health communication, examining how stigmatizing narratives around body size affect the wellbeing of pregnant people and how better communication practices can shift this dynamic. This is a critical look at how anti-fatness messaging harms pregnant people and how thoughtful communication strategies can challenge stigma and promote equitable care.
Building Resilient Bones to Maximize Peak Bone Mass and Prevent Osteoporosis by Sarah Mapes
Sarah Mapes is a health educator with expertise in bone health, focusing on practical, evidence-based strategies for building and maintaining bone density across the lifespan. This is a practical guide on building and maintaining strong bones across the lifespan, with a focus on reaching peak bone mass and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Adolescent Health in Bangladesh: A gender perspective by Mahmuda Rahman Khan
Mahmuda Rahman Khan is a researcher in adolescent health and gender equity in Bangladesh, examining how social norms and inequality shape health outcomes for young people. This was an analysis of adolescent health in Bangladesh through a gender lens, exploring how social norms and gender inequality shape health outcomes for young people.
Assessing the Impact of the Global Women’s Health Movement by Norma Swenson
Norma Meras Swenson was a co-founder of Our Bodies Ourselves (OBOS) and co-author of most editions of Our Bodies, Ourselves, the bestselling health and sexuality guide. She was the organization’s first director of international programs, providing liaison and support to several global women’s groups that produced 34 translations and adaptations of the book. She was an internationally recognized leader and expert in reproductive and sexual health and rights, and in maternal and child health. She takes a reflective assessment of the achievements, challenges, and ongoing work of the global women’s health movement and its influence on policy and practice around the world.
Assessing factors that impact maternal health outcomes in Maroodijeh region, Somaliland by Ifra Abdi
Ifra Abdi is a researcher and public health practitioner focused on maternal health in Somaliland, working to understand and address the structural and social barriers that affect outcomes for mothers in the Maroodijeh region. This is a study of the social, structural, and systemic factors affecting maternal health outcomes in the Maroodijeh region of Somaliland.
Quality of prenatal care in the Primary Network of Brazil by Dr. Elaine Thumé
Dr. Elaine Thumé is a Brazilian public health researcher specializing in primary healthcare systems, with a focus on the quality and accessibility of prenatal services delivered through Brazil’s community health network. She evaluates prenatal care quality within Brazil’s primary health network, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement.
Experiences of working with Tribal Populations for reproductive health by Dr. Kranti Suresh Vora
Dr. Kranti Suresh Vora is a public health researcher with extensive experience working with tribal and marginalized communities in India on reproductive and maternal health initiatives. Firsthand reflections on delivering reproductive health services to tribal communities in India, and highlights both the barriers and breakthroughs encountered on the ground.
Complementary Therapies for Labour and Birth by Dr. Kate Levett
Dr. Kate Levett is a researcher, educator, and practitioner of Chinese Medicine specialising in maternal health research and epidemiology. She has over 20 years’ experience in clinical trials, public health research, and education, and is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Notre Dame Australia. She is involved with international collaborative research networks in maternal health, complementary therapies, and obstetrical acupuncture with a focus on promoting physiological birth practices. This is an evidence-based overview of complementary therapies including acupressure, breathing, movement, and mind-body techniques and their role in supporting women through labour and birth.
Exclusive breastfeeding promotion in Southeastern Nigeria by Dr. Obinna Ekwunife
Dr. Obinna Ekwunife is a health systems and pharmacoeconomics researcher with expertise in public health interventions in Nigeria, including strategies to promote exclusive breastfeeding in southeastern communities. This is an examination of strategies to promote exclusive breastfeeding in southeastern Nigeria and the public health implications of improving breastfeeding rates in the region.
Feb 12: Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day
This special event brings together voices from across the health and advocacy communities to mark Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day. It explores key issues, rights, and advocacy efforts shaping the field.
Maternal Mental Health by Dr. Julieta Kavetuna
Dr. Julieta Kavetuna is a clinician and researcher working in the field of perinatal mental health, with a focus on supporting mothers through the emotional and psychological challenges of pregnancy and the postpartum period. This webinar is a discussion of the mental health challenges facing mothers, with attention to postpartum wellbeing and the importance of culturally sensitive, accessible support.
Strengthening Kangaroo Care for preterm infants in BC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A focus on the parent experience by Dr. Ann Pederson, Sarah Coutts, Alix Woldring and Julie de Salaberry
Dr. Ann Pederson is the Director of Population Health Promotion at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre. She trained as a medical sociologist focused on health inequities associated with gender and worked for over 17 years at the British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health. Sarah Coutts and Alix Woldring are implementation science researchers focused on neonatal care in BC. This webinar is an exploration of efforts to expand and strengthen kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact) for preterm infants in British Columbia’s neonatal intensive care units, centering the experiences and needs of parents.
I fought my entire way: Experiences of declining interventions and procedures during pregnancy by Dr. Kathrin Stoll and Dr. Paulomi Niles
Dr. Kathrin Stoll is based at the Birth Place Lab, Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia. Dr. Paulomi Niles is a practicing midwife and researcher at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. Together, they conducted a qualitative content analysis of over 1,000 written accounts from pregnant people in BC who declined aspects of care. This is an examination of the experiences of pregnant people who chose to decline recommended medical interventions, exploring informed consent, autonomy, and the dynamics of patient-provider relationships.
Women Power, Politics, and the Pandemic: Celebrating Women’s Leadership
This panel discussion, co-organized with the Global Health Centre, brings together experts in global women’s health and social issues to explore how women’s leadership has shaped the response to COVID-19 and what a more equitable post-pandemic world could look like.
The Traditional Chinese and Indigenous Medicines Program TCIMP in British Columbia, Canada by Rachel Eni PhD
Dr. Rachel Eni is a researcher and advocate working at the intersection of Indigenous health and traditional medicine in Canada, with expertise in culturally grounded approaches to community health and healing. This is an overview of BC’s Traditional Chinese and Indigenous Medicines Program, highlighting how it integrates traditional healing practices into community health and supports culturally grounded care.
In developing countries with specific focus on India by Dr. Suresh Jungari
Dr. Suresh Jungari is a public health researcher from India whose work examines social determinants of maternal and infant health, with a particular focus on inequality and access to care in low- and middle-income settings. This is a focused look at the maternal and infant health landscape in developing countries, with particular attention to the challenges and progress seen in India.
Exploring Mahavakyaam Ancient Secrets Meditation with Female Future Social Workers by Dr. Indrani Margolin
Dr. Indrani Margolin is a researcher and educator exploring the use of ancient contemplative practices in professional training, particularly for women entering the field of social work. This is an introduction to Mahavakyaam meditation and its potential to support the wellbeing and reflective practice of women training as social workers.
The Effect of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and Practices on Breastfeeding Outcomes by Marie Tarrant
Dr. Marie Tarrant is a Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus. Her research is in maternal and child health, with a focus on breastfeeding, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and maternal and childhood vaccinations. Together, we explore how adherence to the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative’s ten steps improves exclusive breastfeeding rates and duration, drawing on longitudinal research with Chinese mothers.
Pragmatic Approaches to Studying Wholistic Therapies by Brenda Leung
Dr. Brenda Leung (ND, PhD) is a naturopathic physician and researcher specializing in whole systems research and patient-oriented methodologies, with a focus on complementary and integrative medicine, including the use of acupuncture for adolescent mental health. Dr. Leung presents on whole systems and patient-oriented research methodologies, including the use of acupuncture in treating adolescent anxiety, showing how holistic therapies can be rigorously studied.
An introduction to Acupressure and Acupuncture during pregnancy and labour by Dr. Emilie Salomons
Dr. Emilie Salomons (Dr. TCM, R.Ac, FABORM, OBAAM, Doula) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, registered acupuncturist, fellow of the Acupuncture Board of Reproductive Medicine, and a trained doula with specialized expertise in maternal and infant health. She introduces us to the role that Traditional Medicine practitioners play in maternal and infant health, with a focus on how acupressure and acupuncture can support pregnancy and birth, especially in the global south.
Quality Improvement Initiatives to Address Disproportionate HIV Burden Among Female Adolescents Living with HIV (ALHIVs) – Lessons from the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) by Dr. Henrietta Ezegbe
Dr. Henrietta Ezegbe (MD, MPH, Global Health concentration) is a physician and global health researcher at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, focused on improving HIV care outcomes for adolescent girls. Dr. Ezegbe presents on quality improvement strategies developed by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria to address the disproportionate HIV burden among adolescent girls, sharing lessons learned from the field.
Change Begins at the Community Level by Dr. Dorothy Shaw
Dr. Dorothy Shaw (MBChB, FRCSC, FRCOG) is a Clinical Professor Emerita in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of British Columbia. She is a Past President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and was the first woman President of FIGO (2006–2009). She has dedicated her career to social and reproductive justice, with expertise in high-risk pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis, and medical genetics. Dr. Shaw makes the case for community-centred approaches to improving maternal and infant health, emphasizing the continued urgency of reducing preventable mortality worldwide.
Dr. Nerges Mistry
Dr. Nerges Mistry (PhD, BSc) is the joint director of the Foundation for Medical Research in Mumbai. Her research includes basic and public health aspects of tuberculosis and leprosy, and has recently focused on multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis, community immuno-epidemiology of waterborne diseases, and operation research into community-based healthcare systems in rural areas of India. The work of Dr. Mistry and her colleagues is leading to innovations at the intersections of scientific and traditional medicine. Dr. Mistry presents on her pioneering work bridging scientific research and traditional medicine in India, including community-based approaches to infectious disease and rural healthcare.
SmartMOM: Teaching by Texting by Dr. Patti Janssen
Dr. Patti Janssen is a Professor and Co-lead of the Maternal Child Health Theme at UBC’s School of Population and Public Health. She is the founder of SmartMom and SmartParent, prenatal and parenting education programs delivered by text messaging. Over 8,000 women in BC have enrolled in SmartMom, with demonstrated improvements in knowledge and mental health outcomes. Dr. Janssen introduces us to SmartMOM, Canada’s first prenatal education program that delivers trusted, week-by-week pregnancy information directly to expectant mothers via text message.
MIH Covid19 – experiences from Kerala and India by Dr. Vijayakumar K
Dr. Vijayakumar K is a public health physician from Kerala, India, with expertise in communicable disease control and pandemic response, and direct experience managing COVID-19 at the community and systems level. This webinar is an examination of Kerala’s successful COVID-19 pandemic response, exploring how strong primary healthcare, community mobilization, decentralized governance, and effective leadership combined to protect public health.
MIH Factors Affecting the Use of Midwifery Services in Remote Nepal by Cathy Ellis
Cathy Ellis is a midwifery researcher who conducted field research in the remote mountainous communities of eastern Nepal, examining why community birthing centres remain underutilized despite being established to serve local families. She introduces us to a mixed-methods study investigating why community birthing centres in remote mountainous Nepal are underutilized, exploring the experiences of mothers, maternity staff, and community members.
Acupressure for Pregnancy and Childbirth by Dr. Emilie Salomons
Dr. Emilie Salomons is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and doula with specialized expertise in using acupressure and acupuncture throughout the perinatal journey, and in training birth supporters to use these techniques. This webinar is a practical and evidence-informed guide to using acupressure as a non-pharmacological pain management tool during labour, covering key techniques that can be taught to partners, doulas, and birth support workers.