Dr. Ruth Mitchell and Dr. Carlos Umaña for the Medical and Health Student Seminar Series
On April 2, 2023, we welcomed Dr. Ruth Mitchell and Dr. Carlos Umaña for the inaugural lecture of our Health Science Student Series. We welcomed students in health science programs from across the world for an important conversation about the integral role that physicians play in the disarmament movement.
The opening session of the IPPNW Canada Medical and Health Student Seminar Series featured two board members of IPPNW – Dr. Ruth Mitchell and Dr. Carlos Umaña. This session examined the history of IPPNW, delving into the historical and current role of health professionals in nuclear disarmament. There was also an integral discussion on how to engage the medical and health sector in advocating for the prevention of nuclear war and promotion of social justice and planetary health.
Dr. Carlos Umaña speaking at our Medical and Health Science Student Seminar Series
“IPPNWC won a Nobel Peace Spreading authoritative information and concern about nuclear war. [As medical professions] Our greatest tool is scientific evidence and legitimacy for promoting evidence based policy. ”
“Our strongest advocacy comes from the bedside ”
We look forward to hearing more from our next seminars, which are scheduled to occur throughout April, May and June. Throughout this program, students are given the opportunity to connect with IPPNWC Board Members and other professionals in the field of medicine, health, disarmament and education. Our students will come away with a greater understanding of the connections between health science, environment and disarmament.
We have also developed a curriculum from each of the sessions, which we encourage students and interested citizens read to learn more about this program.
Dr. Ruth Mitchell serves as the board chair of IPPNW (the mother organization of IPPNW Canada). She is a pediatric neurosurgeon and is a board member of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Australia. She was in the room when the ICAN was founded! Her own advocacy work also extends deep into the medical profession, especially to support women in surgical careers.
Dr. Carlos Umaña is a general practitioner, former local health director, and epidemiological surveillance officer with the Costa Rican Ministry of Health. Serving as IPPNW Co-President, he is also on the ICAN International Steering Group. He is the current president of IPPNW Costa Rica, founder of Artists for Peace (2014) in Costa Rica, and president of the activist group “Peace and Diversity”. He is also the recipient of the 2018 “Alan Turing LGBTIQ Visibility Award” for Social Organization