Growing up in a refugee community, Lotus Alphonsus overcame significant obstacles on her path to a career in medicine — experiences that have fueled her work with underserved patients.
Ms. Alphonsus co-founded the Newcomer Health Hub after noticing gaps in her medical education. This national organization creates community-focused resources and outreach initiatives for newcomers and frontline workers on often overlooked topics such as female genital mutilation. She also serves on the board for the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT), shares her experiences with war and overcoming trauma as a public speaker, and published multiple policy papers to promote health equity.
The issue of gun violence is one that is deeply personal to Ms. Alphonsus, and she has led many initiatives as the president of the student branch of the Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG).
In addition, Ms. Alphonsus has an extensive background in trauma counselling and has completed projects internationally. Most recently, she created an innovative and culturally safe therapy program in Sri Lanka for women who experienced sexual violence by armed forces during the genocide.
“Ms. Alphonsus embodies the qualities of a future leader in the medical field, one who is not only proficient in the science of medicine but also deeply compassionate and socially conscious.” — Dr. Najma Ahmed, founder of Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns
Ms. Lotus Alphonsus is receiving the CMA Award for Young Leaders (student) in recognition of her tremendous leadership, resilience and commitment to advocating for underserved communities.