About this Event
Future-Focused Health Systems in a Changing World | Seminar
Join the Centre for Global Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health for a hybrid seminar with Dr. Francisco Oviedo-Gómez, physician, public health specialist, and lecturer at the University of Costa Rica.
Pandemics, climate change, economic shocks and political instability rarely arrive one at a time. When they overlap, they put pressure on health systems all at once. Informed by 20 years with Costa Rica's Ministry of Health, Dr. Oviedo-Gómez will introduce Health Systems Global and deliver a lecture on building health systems that can withstand overlapping crises.
Following the lecture, a student discussant and panel will reflect on the talk through perspectives from health systems research, health economics, public health practice and health policy. The discussion will explore:
- How health systems can prepare for and respond to overlapping crises
- Equity and financial protection when health systems are under strain
- Lessons from public health leadership during COVID-19
- The role of politics in shaping health policy and public trust
Panelist Introductions
Dr. Francisco Oviedo-Gómez, MD, MPH - lecturer and researcher at the University of Costa Rica, with 20 years in leadership roles at Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health.
Dr. Beverley Essue, PhD, MPH - Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Economics at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health whose research focuses on health equity and financial risk protection.
Brittney Romanson, MPH - PhD student at IHPME, University of Toronto studying the politicization of vaccine policy after four years as Health Scientist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Moderator: Dr. Lawrence Loh, MD, MPH - Medical Officer of Health with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services and Adjunct Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health who served the Region of Peel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Event Schedule
- Opening Remarks: Dr. Beverley Essue
- Introduction to Health Systems Global and Polycrises Lecture: Dr. Francisco Oviedo-Gómez
- Student Response: Brittney Romanson
- Panel Discussion and Q&A, moderated by Dr. Lawrence Loh
- Closing Remarks: Dr. Beverley Essue
Event Details
- Date: Monday, October 19, 2026
- Time: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. EDT
- In person: Room 740, Health Sciences Building, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7
- Organized by: Centre for Global Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
- Co-Organized by: IHPME, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Event venue & nearby stays
Health Sciences Building, 155 College Street, Toronto, Canada
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