Dr. Ponka is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, where he focuses on integrating clinical, educational, and research initiatives in global health. He has led the Besrour Centre for Global Family Medicine at the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has played a key role in launching family medicine programs in countries such as Guyana, Indonesia, and Madagascar.
Throughout his career, Dr. Ponka has dedicated himself to working with vulnerable populations, building capacity in primary care systems in low- and middle-income countries, and conducting research on the integration of mental health care for underserved groups, including the homeless. His work increasingly applies lessons learned internationally to the Canadian context.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ponka to this pivotal role," said Dr. Mark Walker, Vice-Dean of Internationalization and Global Health. "With his extensive experience and unwavering commitment to global health, we are confident that his leadership will continue to enhance the IGHO’s initiatives and further strengthen our international partnerships. We look forward to the continued growth and success of our global health efforts, supported by his expertise and vision."
As we welcome Dr. Ponka, we also take this opportunity to bid a fond farewell to Dr. Manisha Kulkarni, who has served as the Global Health Program Director and Assistant Dean for Global Health at the IGHO from 2021 to 2024. Dr. Kulkarni’s leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to advancing the global health mandate have made a lasting impact. Her contributions to the development of sustainable initiatives and the creation of new global health opportunities have been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for her exceptional service.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Ponka and expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kulkarni for her exceptional contributions to our global health mission.