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 services, including family medicine, women’s health, dentistry, mental health support, and vaccinations. Its multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, students, and community volunteers exemplifies a model of community-based care that is both responsive and inclusive.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many clinics turned away the uninsured, Dr. Caulford and his team braved unprecedented risks. From home visits to outdoor mobile care units, CCRIHC administered over 70,000 vaccines and treated more than 6,000 new patients—often filling critical gaps left by Canada’s healthcare system.
Dr. Caulford’s leadership has earned wide recognition. He received the Ontario Newcomer Champion Award in 2008 and was inducted into the Scarborough Walk of Fame in 2022 for his service during the 2003 SARS outbreak and his ongoing commitment to health equity. His work has been spotlighted nationally for bridging gaps in care for refugees, migrants, and undocumented individuals across Canada.
His September 11th talk will delve into the structural barriers faced by uninsured patients and the urgent policy shifts needed to deliver truly universal care. For anyone invested in refugee health, frontline medicine, or social justice, this session is not to be missed.
Registration is open for the North American Refugee Health Conference. See Dr. Caulford and dozens of global health leaders at the North American Refugee Health Conference and enjoy early rates before August 1st, 2025.