diversity and cultural celebration as diverse global cultures and multi-cultural unity.

Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Mandate of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is to raise awareness, encourage sensitivity, and highlight pathways to improve equity issues in all aspects of medical school activity, including undergraduate and postgraduate education, research, faculty development, and the working environment for both faculty members and support staff.

The Faculty of Medicine is not only committed to a climate of mutual respect, but also upholds the highest standards of ethical and professional behaviour, in keeping with the values of the University of Ottawa.

  1. Equity is defined as equal access to opportunity for all, and is the basic principle underlying the mandate of the EDI office. The EDI advisory committee advocates for access to learning and professional development opportunities for all individuals. It also encourages medical professionals and medical educators to advocate for health equity for all and to serve as agents for change.

  2. Diversity requires that we account for differences, share experiences, and learn from one another without erecting artificial barriers that discriminate against specific groups. A mission of the office is to keep this concept on the forefront of our professional activities and emphasize the idea that determinants of health such as biology, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity and age have significant effects on the health of all people.

  3. Inclusion goes hand in hand with diversity. An inclusive environment ensures that all individuals are respected, valued and heard and have an equal opportunity to contribute to the success of the institution. 

About Us

Who we are

The Assistant Dean of EDI is supported by an Advisory Committee which has faculty representation from each department within the Faculty of Medicine, as well as representation from the Aesculapian Society (medical students), PARO (residents), the Graduate Student’s Association and the Faculty of Medicine Postdoctoral Association. Members of this committee monitor and promote equity issues within their individual departments or groups.  Provincial, national and international examples are studied. The impact of the current policies and climate is discussed, and recommendations are made for Faculty of Medicine policy development.

Dr. Rishi Kapur, Assistant Dean, Office of Equity Diversity and Inclusion

Dr. Rishi Kapur identifies as a cisgender second-generation Canadian South Asian male. He trained and works as a child and adolescent psychiatrist at CHEO.  He is passionate about medical education, staff/learner wellness and health equity.  He has taken an interest in exploring clinical work with rural and urban Indigenous communities, gender-diverse populations and racialized children and families.  He is fascinated by organizational health and improving systems and processes within institutions.  In his spare time, he enjoys yoga, cycling, the cello and engaging with his family and Samoyed.

Dr.KP picture

Kayla Hébert-Desnoyers

Manager, Faculty Affairs
Office: 613-562-5800 ext. 8361
Work E-mail: [email protected]

Kayla Hébert-Desnoyers

Alexandra Lafrance 

Intermediate Coordinator, Faculty Affairs
Office: 613-562-5211
Email: [email protected]

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We pay respect to the Algonquin people, who are the traditional guardians of this land.  We acknowledge their longstanding relationship with this territory, which remains unceded. We pay respect to all Indigenous people in this region, from all nations across Canada, who call Ottawa home.  We acknowledge the traditional knowledge keepers, both young and old.
And we honour their courageous leaders:  past, present, and future.