As the Conference Chair for the North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC), Dr. Anna Banerji brings a career defined by compassion, evidence-based advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to health equity. But to call her just a physician is to miss the fuller story — Dr. Banerji is a tireless champion for those society too often overlooks.
Her journey began in Toronto after her family immigrated from India. As a child, she witnessed a man dying on the street in Kolkata, ignored by the crowds. It was a pivotal moment that propelled her into medicine, aiming to serve those overlooked by society.
Trained in infectious diseases and public health at institutions like McGill and Harvard, Dr. Banerji has practiced globally — from rural Africa to the Amazon. But it was in Northern Canada that her impact has been most deeply felt. Her pioneering research revealed staggering hospitalization rates among Inuit infants due to respiratory infections, especially RSV. Despite the evidence, access to preventive treatments lagged for years — until her dogged advocacy helped change national guidelines. Today, Indigenous infants across Northern Canada are receiving protection that once seemed out of reach.
Her commitment is personal. In 2005, she adopted an Inuit son, Nathan, and raised him in Toronto while ensuring he remained connected to his northern roots. After Nathan died by suicide at age 14 — his mental health needs unmet by the system — Dr. Banerji refused to stay silent. She established a scholarship in his name and continues to tell his story to drive systemic change.
Dr. Banerji’s contributions have been widely recognized. She was inducted into the Order of Ontario in 2012, received the Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce Award in 2019, and was named one of the Top 25 Women of Influence in 2024.
At NARHC, Dr. Banerji brings not only her deep expertise but also her lived experience. Her leadership serves as a reminder that health care is never just about medicine — it’s about justice, voice, and healing.