# North American Refugee Health Conference > Health means the world to us ## Posts - [Exploring Trauma, Healing, and Systemic Forces with Dr. Gabor Maté at NARHC 2025](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/exploring-trauma-healing-and-systemic-forces-with-dr-gabor-mate-at-narhc-2025/): Few voices bridge the worlds of medicine, human rights, and personal transformation like Dr. Gabor Maté. Over two decades in family practice and palliative care laid the groundwork for his later work in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side, where he served patients grappling with addiction, homelessness, and mental illness. These experiences shaped his deep understanding of trauma—not just as an individual wound, but as a product of broader social systems. Dr. Maté’s five bestselling books, translated into 43 languages, have brought complex ideas about childhood development, stress, illness, and addiction into public consciousness. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts offered an ... Read more - [Speaker Spotlight: Dr. Paul Caulford – Health Equity Champion](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/speaker-spotlight-dr-paul-caulford-health-equity-champion/): On September 11, 2025, the North American Refugee Health Conference will welcome Dr. Paul Caulford, whose session, Caring for the Uninsured, is poised to be a powerful call to action. A tireless advocate for health equity, Dr. Caulford brings decades of hands-on experience with Canada’s most vulnerable populations to the stage. Dr. Caulford co-founded the Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Health Care (CCRIHC) in 2000. Located in Scarborough, Ontario, CCRIHC operates as a volunteer-powered clinic offering no-cost, compassionate care to those excluded from public health coverage—particularly refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants. The clinic provides an integrated range of ... Read more - [Detention is a Diagnosis: Dr. Phatarfod Confronts Australia's Asylum System](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/detention-is-a-diagnosis-dr-phatarfod-confronts-australias-asylum-system/): Dr. Barri Phatarfod, a distinguished Sydney-based general practitioner and fervent advocate for refugee rights, is set to address the 2025 North American Refugee Health Conference on the pressing topic of detention and asylum issues in Australia. With over three decades of medical experience, Dr. Phatarfod has dedicated a significant portion of her career to championing the health and human rights of asylum seekers. In 2013, recognizing the dire healthcare challenges faced by refugees in offshore detention centers, Dr. Phatarfod founded Doctors for Refugees. This organization, which has grown to include over 700 members, with more than 100 actively reviewing medical ... Read more - [Dr. Anna Banerji: A Relentless Advocate for Equity in Indigenous and Refugee Health](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/dr-anna-banerji-a-relentless-advocate-for-equity-in-indigenous-and-refugee-health/): 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 ... Read more - [Nhial Deng to Deliver Plenary on Refugee Stories at NARHC](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/nhial-deng-to-deliver-plenary-on-refugee-stories-at-narhc/): At this year’s North American Refugee Health Conference, Nhial Deng will share stories from the margins—realities of displacement that too often go unheard. His plenary session, centered on refugee voices, is rooted not just in personal experience, but in years of advocacy, youth leadership, and global engagement. Born to South Sudanese parents who fled civil war, Deng spent most of his life in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, a place that was home to more than 200,000 displaced people. It was in Kakuma that he discovered the power of storytelling. “School was the only place where I could feel safe, ... Read more - [NARHC 2025 Abstract Competition Announced](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/narhc-2025-abstract-competition-announced/): The deadline to submit abstracts for NARHC 2025 has also been extended to March 17, 2025. We are excited to announce the launch of our NARHC2025 Abstract Competition, in collaboration with the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH). The winner will receive a cash award of $500 at NARHC 2025 and the opportunity to publish their paper in a Special Issue of IJERPH: “Reducing Disparities in Health Care Access of Refugees and Migrants” (following peer-review). ABSTRACT SUBMISSION - [Gabriel Schirvar to speak on LGBTIQ+ identities and migration in NARHC return](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/gabriel-schirvar-to-speak-on-lgbtiq-identities-and-migration-in-narhc-return/): We are thrilled to announce that Gabriel Schirvar (they/them), a distinguished non-binary policy analyst, researcher, and educator, will be returning to the North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC) for its 2025 session in Niagara Falls this September. Gabriel has dedicated their career to advancing international LGBTIQ+ and migrant rights, health, and well-being. In their role as an LGBTIQ+ Focal Point for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), they have been instrumental in developing and leading both in-person and online trainings for more than 1,000 humanitarian professionals worldwide, addressing a wide range of anti-oppression issues impacting migrants. Notably, Gabriel co-authored the ... Read more - [Why You Should Attend the North American Refugee Health Conference 2025](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/why-you-should-attend-the-north-american-refugee-health-conference-2025/): This fall, the North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC) 2025 is set to take place in the beautiful locale of Niagara Falls, Canada, from September 11th to 13th. Since its inception in 2009, the conference has been the premier meeting place for professionals from diverse fields to converge and address some of the most pressing issues facing refugees and refugee claimants. If you’re involved in healthcare, policy, advocacy, or settlement work for refugee populations, this conference promises to be an unparalleled opportunity to enhance your expertise, network with global leaders, and contribute to transformative discussions. A Stellar Lineup of Plenary ... Read more - [Spotlight on Dr. Shatha Elnakib: Plenary Speaker at the North American Refugee Health Conference](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/spotlight-on-dr-shatha-elnakib-plenary-speaker-at-the-north-american-refugee-health-conference/): Dr. Shatha Elnakib, PhD, MPH, brings a wealth of expertise and over a decade of impactful work to the North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC), taking place in Niagara Falls, Ontario, from September 11-13, 2025. A globally recognized leader in sexual and reproductive health within humanitarian contexts, Dr. Elnakib will explore Challenges for Refugee Women with a plenary address on the topic of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Humanitarian Assistance. A Leader in Global Health Dr. Elnakib serves as an Assistant Scientist in the International Health Department at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research spans numerous pressing ... Read more - [NARHC 2025 Speaker Spotlight: Dr. Rageshri Dhairyawan](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/narhc-2025-speaker-spotlight-dr-rageshri-dhairyawan/): Dr. Rageshri Dhairyawan to Speak at the North American Refugee Health Conference 2025 We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Rageshri Dhairyawan, an internationally renowned doctor, researcher, and advocate for health equity, will be a featured speaker at the North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC) 2025, exploring the topics related to racism against refugees in the health sphere. Dr. Dhairyawan’s career exemplifies a deep commitment to addressing inequities in healthcare. A Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV Medicine at Barts Health NHS Trust in London, she also serves as Deputy Director of the SHARE Collaborative for Health Equity at Queen ... Read more ## Pages - [My account](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/my-account/) - [Checkout](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/checkout/) - [Cart](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/cart/) - [Complete Payment](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/shop/) - [North American Refugee Health Conference 2025](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/narhc-2025/): Did you miss NARHC 2025? September 11-13, 2025 Niagara Falls, ON Chair and Course Director: Dr. Anna Banerji NARHC 2025 Program 228 Participants 120+ Abtracts submitted Plenary Speakers Gallery Send us your photos from NARHC 2025! - [Password Reset](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/password-reset/): You must reset your password the first time you login to the NARHC 2025 Plenary Video page. Enter the email you registered with in the textbox below and follow the email prompt to reset your password and activate your account. **Make sure to check your junk folder if you don’t receive a password reset email in your inbox.**   - [Account](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/account/) - [Logout](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/logout/) - [Members](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/members/) - [Create Your Account](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/activate/): Create your account to access the members-only NARHC 2025 video recordings. After registration, you’ll be sent to checkout to purchase the Plenary Video Package. Access is granted after payment. You may need to check your junk folder for confirmation emails. If you have already activated your account, or paid, login here. - [Login](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/login/): Log in using the form below. If you have just completed payment, check your email, and your spam folder, to make sure it was processed. Once payment is confirmed, you will be able to access the content here. Thank you. - [Thanks for signing up!](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/thankyou/): Thank you for joining NARHC. We will reach out to you when we have updates. - [NARHC 2025 Plenary Videos](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/video-package/): Welcome to the North American Refugee Health Conference 2025 Plenary Video Library. Here, you will be able to access video recordings from the Plenary Room from NARHC 2025, held September 11-13 in Niagara Falls. Scroll through the library below or use the search function to select a video and click play. Presentation slides Videos - [Attend NARHC Online](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/attend-narhc-online/): This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: - [Teresa Dremetsikas](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/who-we-are/dremetsikas/): Teresa Dremetsikas is presently a program manager at the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) She graduated as a Medical Doctor from the Faculty of Medicine in Monterrey Nuevo Leon in Mexico and has worked for the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture since the late 80’s . She has worked at the CCVT in different positions including starting as a volunteer and thereafter hired in 1987 to do frontline work including one on one assessment and counselling of clients she also worked with survivors organizing support groups. Other activities along the years have included: facilitation of training sessions ... Read more - [Eduardo Vides](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/who-we-are/vides/): Eduardo Vides is an experienced public health physician, playing a leading role as a project and research manager for top-tier health organizations. With a career spanning over 20 years, he is committed to addressing the priorities and unique needs of diverse populations and communities. Eduardo specializes in health strategy, performance measurement, policy analysis, and research, with a particular focus on Indigenous health over the past 15 years, collaborating closely with Indigenous populations and organizations across the Americas. His extensive experience extends to public health service, nonprofit and private organizations, Indigenous governments, and ethnic communities. Eduardo actively participates in various advisory, ... Read more - [Canadian Refugee Health Conference 2009](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/crhc-2009/): May 24-26 2009, University of Toronto Conference Centre Founder, Chair and Course Director: Dr. Anna Banerji 250 Participants 150 Abtracts submitted CRHC 2009Syllabus Plenary Speakers Gallery - [Canadian Refugee Health Conference 2011](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/crhc-2011/): May 24-26 2011, University of Toronto Conference Centre Chair and Course Director, Dr. Anna Banerji 450 Participants 200 Abtracts submitted CRHC 2011Syllabus Plenary Speakers Gallery - [North American Refugee Health Conference 2021](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/narhc-2021/): September 9-11, 2021 Online Chair and Course Director, Dr. Anna Banerji NARHC 2021 Syllabus 500 Participants 300 Abtracts submitted Plenary Speakers - [North American Refugee Health Conference 2019](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/narhc-2019/): June 12-14, 2019 Sheraton Toronto Chair and Course Director, Dr. Anna Banerji NARHC 2019 Syllabus 640 Participants 300 Abtracts submitted Pre-Courses Plenary Speakers Gallery - [North American Refugee Health Conference 2017](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/narhc-2017/): June 14-16, 2017 Sheraton Toronto Chair and Course Director, Dr. Anna Banerji NARHC 2017 Syllabus 650 Participants 300 Abtracts submitted Pre-Course Intensive update in Tropical Medicine, in collaboration with the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Plenary Speakers Gallery - [North American Refugee Health Conference 2015](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/narhc-2015/): June 4-6, 2015 Metro Toronto Convention Centre Chair and Course Director, Dr. Anna Banerji NARHC 2015 Syllabus 550 Participants 250 Abtracts submitted Plenary Speakers Gallery - [North American Refugee Health Conference 2013](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/narhc-2013/): June 6-8, 2013 Metro Toronto Convention Centre Chair and Course Director, Dr. Anna Banerji NARHC 2013 Syllabus 550 Participants 250 Abtracts submitted Plenary Speakers Gallery - [Sheikh Muhammad Zeeshan Qadar](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/who-we-are/qadar/): Zeeshan is a project manager who developed and has been managing the Migration and Public Health Knowledge Translation project stream at the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID). Numerous knowledge mobilization activities and resources were developed by Mr. Qadar including webinars, podcasts, case studies and conference presentations (Canadian Public Health Association 2016 and 2018, North American Refugee Health Conference 2017, 2018, 2019). Currently, he is managing COVID-19 response and has been involved as co-principal investigator on a project looking at the role of communication strategies and media discourse in shaping psychological and behavioral response to the COVID-19 outbreak, comparing ... Read more - [Shelina Shivji](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/who-we-are/shivji/): Shelina Shivji is a creative Change Facilitator.  Among other credentials from several accredited Canadian institutions, she holds a Masters in Conflict Analysis and Management with a concentration in Community and Schools.  For past 30 plus years, through multiple volunteer and professional roles, Shelina has had extensive practice in the areas of Human Empowerment and Social Development. Her work ethic is grounded in the approach of multidisciplinary/integrated service delivery models.   Shelina is currently employed with the Ministry of Solicitor General Ontario, in the Community Service Sector.  She recently completed an eight-year term as a Board Director at TNO – The Neighbourhood ... Read more - [Vanig Garabedian](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/who-we-are/garabedian/): Dr. Vanig Garabedian moved with his family to Canada from Syria in December 2015 as a refugee.   In Syria, he worked as an obstetrician-gynecologist for 15 plus years including 4 years in a war zone.  He was the medical director of the largest hospital in the Middle East.  Dr. Garabedian practiced in both public and private hospitals and taught in an obstetrician-gynecologist residency program and nursing school.  He completed his medical training at Tishreen University.  This includes his obstetrician-gynecologist residency in Damascus and his master’s degree in obstetrics-gynecology (board certified from Syrian Board of Medical Specialties).  He is a registered ... Read more - [Anna Banerji](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/who-we-are/banerji/): Dr. Anna Banerji is a pediatrician, infectious/tropical disease specialist, public health specialist, and human rights advocate. She is a compassionate humanitarian where equity, diversity and social justice has been central throughout her professional career and personal life. As an educator, researcher and activist, she has focused on refugee and Indigenous populations. Dr. Banerji, a pioneer in refugee health, is the founder of the North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC) which occurs in Canada on alternative years. It has become the largest academic meeting on refugee health globally. She is the founding Executive Director for the North American Refugee Health Conference ... Read more - [Style Guide](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/style-guide/): This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: - [Mission & Values](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/mission/): Mission NARHC’s mission is to provide professional development for those who work with refugees. We recognize that refugees are among the most vulnerable populations and by definition therefore are in need of protection and assistance that both involves health care needs and has implications for the provision and delivery of health care programs and services. At the heart of our work, we respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Refugee Convention, as well as the full range of obligations under both international humanitarian law and international human rights law. NARHC is committed to upholding human rights and ... Read more - [News](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/news/) - [Contact](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/contact-us/): Get in touch Email info@narhc.com Follow us Join our Listserve For up-to-date information regarding NARHC, abstract submission information, registration and more please join our listserve. - [Our History](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/our-history/): As a response to the increasing requests for education in refugee health, Dr. Anna Banerji proposed a national refugee health conference (see After two years of conference development, the inaugural Canadian Refugee Health Conference was created in 2009. In 2013, the name was changed to North American Refugee Conference, where Dr. Banerji continued to be the course director and chair for this conference which continued to occur in Toronto,Canada as a biennial conference, (see past conferences). Since then, it has become one of the largest global conferences in refugee health. In 2023 to allow NARHC to broaden its mandate, including ... Read more - [What we do](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/what-we-do/): Vision Be the premiere Canadian institute, with global perspectives, developing and disseminating best practices for refugees and refugee claimants in the continuum of migration and settlement.  Equip healthcare providers and settlement workers through education, advocacy and research with the goal of achieving the best refugee settlement outcomes. Mission NARHC’s mission is to provide professional development for those who work with refugees. We recognize that refugees are among the most vulnerable populations and by definition therefore are in need of protection and assistance that both involves health care needs and has implications for the provision and delivery of health care programs ... Read more - [About NARHC Inc.](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/who-we-are/): Who we are North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC) Inc. is a Canadian non-profit organization serving the refugee community in North America and globally. It is the transformation of the Canadian-based NARHC which had its inception in 2009, founded by Dr. Anna Banerji. To increase our mandate, we have expanded to become NARHC Inc. NARHC Inc. engages with refugees and refugee claimants, governmental and non-governmental organizations, medical institutions, educational institutions and research institutes. Board of Directors Anna BanerjiExecutive Director Vanig GarabedianBoard Chair Shelina ShivjiBoard Vice-Chair Eduardo Vides Teresa Dremetsikas Ann-Elisabeth Samson Sheikh Muhammad Zeeshan Qadar Vision Be the premiere Canadian ... Read more - [Home](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/): health means the world to us North American Refugee Health Conference Who we are North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC) Inc. is a Canadian non-profit organization serving the refugee community in North America and globally. It is the transformation of the Canadian-based NARHC which had its inception in 2009, founded by Dr. Anna Banerji. To increase our mandate, we have expanded to become NARHC Inc. NARHC Inc. engages with refugees and refugee claimants, governmental and non-governmental organizations, medical institutions, educational institutions and research institutes. Learn more. Advancing Refugee Health Through Collaboration, Research, and Advocacy The North American Refugee Health Conference ... Read more ## Products - [NARHC 2025 Plenary Video Package - General Rate](https://northamericanrefugeehealthconference.ca/product/narhc-2025-plenary-video-package-general-rate/): Access to over 14 hours of footage from the 2025 North American Refugee Health Conference in Niagara Falls, ON. [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)