Watch the Women for Women’s 2023 Doc Talks
Dr. Rulan Parekh and Dr. Amanda Selk were the featured speakers at the 2023 edition of Women for Women’s, the Foundation’s signature luncheon gala. This year marked the 12th annual fundraising event presented by KPMG which raised over $620,000 in support of Women’s College Hospital.
The theme of the 2023 Women for Women’s was “Future Forward.” As Women’s College Hospital prepares to mark its 140th anniversary this year, the event and the presentations from two of WCH’s prominent medical leaders offered an opportunity to reflect on the advancements that have been made in women’s health research, and the possibility of what lies ahead.
“For Women, For The Future” by Dr. Rulan Parekh, Vice President, Academics, Women’s College Hospital
Dr. Rulan Parekh is one of the few women leading research at one of Canada’s top research hospitals and also the first woman of colour to lead research, education and innovation nationally. At Women’s College Hospital, Dr. Parekh is developing strategies to advance health equity, research, innovation, and education to impact healthcare.
As Vice President of Academics and a passionate researcher, she plays a pivotal role in ushering in a new era at Women’s College Hospital by spearheading the hospital’s goal to deliver sustainable, world-class research, innovation and education and advance the hospital’s Learning Health System – the first in Canada to adopt this approach.
In her captivating presentation, Dr. Parekh challenged and inspired us as she explores what the status of women’s health could and should look like in Canada 20 years from now. Diving into shocking gender-based statistics and medical misconceptions, Dr. Parekh explained how diversity and equitable representation in all aspects of medicine is necessary to save women’s lives.
“For Women, For The Future” is now available on our YouTube channel. Please listen and share below.
“Removing Stigma in Women’s Health” by Dr. Amanda Selk, Obstetrician Gynecologist, Women’s College Hospital
Dr. Amanda Selk created and coordinates the vulvar gynecology-dermatology clinic and is the clinical lead for colposcopy at Women’s College Hospital. Dr. Selk is Vice-Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee at Women’s College.
She is also the Head of Academic Affairs across the Obstetrics and Gynecology departments at Women’s College, Mount Sinai Hospital, and University Health Network. Dr. Selk is the host of the medical podcast “The Vulva Diaries” which has listeners from over 100 countries in the world.
With a no-holds barred approach, Dr. Selk spoke candidly with the audience on the importance of having greater understanding and comfort about our bodies, and the importance of unpacking and dismantling the stigma often attached to women’s healthcare. To build a future where women don’t have to suffer in silence, Dr. Selk says, “we must break down the barriers to care and build a forward-thinking future, one where we are all comfortable with our bodies enough to ask for help when things aren’t right.”
“Removing Stigma in Women’s Health” is now available on our YouTube channel. Please listen and share below.
Want to hear more? Listen to Mind the Health Gap, a podcast by Women’s College Hospital Foundation offering in-depth conversations surrounding the gaps in Canada’s healthcare system and their dangerous consequences, featuring physicians and prominent leaders from Women’s College Hospital.
Dr. Rulan and Dr. Selk will be featured in their own episodes. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or listen through our website.
