The faces behind HCD
A team that’s been where you’re going.
Physicians, storytellers, organizers and builders working to open more doors into healthcare.
Meet Dr. O
Dr. Onye Nnorom
A family doctor, public health and preventive medicine specialist, and Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. Born in Montreal to parents of Nigerian and Trinidadian backgrounds, she has dedicated her career to health equity, with a particular focus on Black communities and equitable medical education.
- Family physician
- Public health specialist
- Assistant Professor, U of T
Our staff
The people making it happen.
Deandra RomainProject Manager
Chenai KadungureBio Director
Racquel SimpsonAssociate Director, Project Delivery
Bida MediaCreative Agency & Marketing Strategist
Benita LiAdministrative Assistant
Rahaf AhmedBusiness Development Assistant
Adesua EgbaseStorytelling & Content Writer
Bryanna OriuwaDigital Community Outreach Lead
Board of directors
Guided by leaders in health and community.
Dr. Jia HuPublic health physician & family doctorRead bio for Dr. Jia Hu
Works with the Population and Public Health team at the BCCDC. Co-founder of 19 To Zero, a not-for-profit increasing public health behaviours like vaccination and cancer screening. Medical Director with Cleveland Clinic’s Global Corporate Advisory program and a board member of Partners in Health Canada.
Yvonne OsagieFounder & CEO, Med MelaninRead bio for Yvonne Osagie
Created Med Melanin after speaking with over 300 patients about the misdiagnosis and unequal treatment women of colour face in healthcare. Brings experience in partnerships, sales and program management, with an MBET from the University of Waterloo and a BSc in Neuroscience & Mental Health from Carleton University.
Dr. David BurtImmunologist & R&D consultantRead bio for Dr. David Burt
More than 30 years leading vaccine research teams for influenza, SARS and RSV, with over 40 peer-reviewed publications and 7 patents. A member of the City of Toronto’s Black Scientist Task Force on Vaccine Equity, and President of D. S. Burt, R&D Consulting.
Dr. Placide RubabazaGynecologist · Past President, BPAORead bio for Dr. Placide Rubabaza
Past President of the Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario and a highly regarded gynecologist. A University of Ottawa medical graduate specializing in minimally invasive gynecology and general obstetrics, and one of Durham’s leading medical providers.
Uche NwagboFounder, Alter Ego ClothingRead bio for Uche Nwagbo
An entrepreneur and fashion visionary whose work blends retail experience from her time at Apple with bold, creative design. She brings an outside-the-box perspective to empowering people to express themselves authentically.