Naheed Dosani
Reaching out to the most vulnerable
From Cambodia, to Kenya, to the toughest streets of Toronto, Dr. Naheed Dosani aims to assist those who fall between the cracks.
Naheed, a 2008 graduate of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology's (UOIT) Biological and Biomedical Sciences program, is passionate about global health equity and inner-city health.
During his time at UOIT, he was involved in numerous humanitarian initiatives, raising awareness and funds for programs in Canada and around the world. An exceptional student, he received several scholarships. Then he paid it forward by donating a scholarship back to the university to share with others. The Dr. Naheed Dosani Entrance Scholarship is awarded annually to a UOIT student who demonstrates the impact of involvement and personal growth through humanitarian action.
Naheed continues reaching out to people as a researcher, teacher, doctor and advocate. On February 20, 2018 he was awarded the Governor General of Canada's Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division). This prestigious national honour is awarded to Naheed for his commitment to providing care to those with with life-limiting illness who face barriers to compassionate care because of homelessness, addiction, poverty or insecure housing.
Naheed is a Palliative Care Physician with William Osler Health System, and the Inner-City Health Associates (ICHA), a group of more than 60 physicians who work in shelters and drop-in sites to provide care to homeless and marginally housed individuals in the Greater Toronto Area. He is a Family Physician with FCJ Refugee Centre through ICHA and Palliative Care Regional Medical Director with Central West LHIN. Naheed is also an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Division of Palliative Care, Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario and Lecturer in the Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto. In addition, he continues to be the Project Lead of Palliative Education and Care for the Homeless (PEACH), an initiative of ICHA.
PEACH delivers community-based hospice palliative care to society’s most vulnerable individuals regardless of their housing status or factors such as poverty or substance use.
While doing a fellowship training program in palliative medicine at the University of Toronto, Naheed learned that early care can alleviate symptoms and improve mood and function for patients. It can also improve the lives of their caregivers. “I realized we needed early palliative care for the homeless,” he says.
PEACH proved to be an immediate success. “Patients appreciate the fact that they have a safety net,” he says. “Many social service providers to the homeless have stated that they appreciate the education and psychosocial support we provide – and family members who have reconnected with patients have been very grateful that we took that step. I feel that in a very short time we’ve been able to affect the minds, bodies and souls of a very vulnerable population.”
The PEACH team has inspired cities across the continent, including Edmonton, Calgary, Victoria and Seattle to develop similar programs. The value that PEACH brings to individuals fuels Dosani to continue to advocate for ongoing innovation and equitable care.
Naheed Dosani
Class of 2008
Bachelor of Science – Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Naheed Dosani, M.S.C, MD, CCFP(PC), BSc
Palliative Care Physician, William Osler Health System
Project Lead & Palliative Care Physician, Palliative Education And Care for the Homeless [PEACH], Inner City Health Associates (ICHA)
Family Physician, FCJ Refugee Centre, Inner City Health Associates
Palliative Care Regional Medical Director, Central West LHIN
Lecturer, Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Pallative Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University
