June 9 | 12:00 – 12:50PM CST
You can register and submit your questions here.
With panelists, Dr. Blair Peters, Dr. Robert Obara & Jules Perez
Please join us for a panel discussion focused on Leadership & 2SLGBTQIA+ Health. Co-moderators Dr. Joss Reimer and Callum Barnes will lead a conversation with members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community who will speak from the roles of physician and medical learner. This panel discussion is a follow-up to Dr. Chronopolous’ session (view the recording here) and will build on the information in her talk.
Panelists are Dr. Blair Peters, one of the world’s first surgeons to complete a formal academic fellowship training in advanced gender-affirming surgery, Jules Perez, a medical learner who has held multiple EDI-related leadership positions, and Dr. Robert Obara, a family physician with a special interest in transgender health and passion for 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy.
At the time of registration, there is an opportunity to submit questions you would like the panel to address related to medical leadership at the individual and system level. Moderators will develop panelist questions based on themes that emerge from the submissions.
Moderator Bios:

Dr. Joss Reimer (she/her) has been voted the next President-elect of the Canadian Medical Association, Dr. Joss Reimer is an expert in physician leadership and public health. Currently, Dr. Reimer is the Chief Medical Officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. Before taking on the role of CMO for Winnipeg, Dr. Reimer is best known as the Medical Lead and Official Spokesperson for Manitoba’s Provincial COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce. Prior to the pandemic, Dr. Reimer worked as the Medical Director of Public Health for Winnipeg and she also developed and directed the 4‑year Population Health course still used today to train all future physicians studying at the University of Manitoba.
In addition to her public health and medical leadership roles, Dr. Reimer maintains a clinical practice in Women’s health where you might find her catching babies in the middle of the night.

Callum Barnes (He/They) is a queer medical student who is inspired to centre advocacy and activism in their developing medical career. Within the Max Rady College of Medicine, Callum has held various leadership roles such as being a member of the executive committees for the Surgery and 2SLGBTQIA+ Health Interest Groups, the Local Officer for Reproductive and Sexual Health Sr., a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ EDI working group and nationally as the Manitoba representative on the Steering Committee for the Canadian Queer Medical Students Association (CQMSA). Prior to medicine, Callum worked in makeup and continues to express his creativity through the art form. They also are a proud parent to two cats.
Panelist Bios:

Dr. Blair Peters (he/they) is a double fellowship-trained board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specializes in gender-affirming surgery and peripheral nerve surgery. They completed their residency training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Manitoba, was one of the first surgeons in North America to complete an additional fellowship in comprehensive gender-affirming surgery at OHSU and is an Assistant Professor in both the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Department of Urology at Oregon Health & Science University.
He is a member of and a recognized advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and frequently speaks on panels, creates educational materials, and advocates for policy change and the broader rights of all queer people. He strives to be a strong queer voice in medicine and surgery and focuses on shifting the culture of medicine and mentoring future generations of gender-affirming surgeons.

Jules Perez (they/them) is a queer, nonbinary medical student with a background in psychology prior to medical school. Jules’ passion for social justice, advocacy and activism is informed by their lived experiences. They hold various leadership positions locally and in the Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS), including 2SLGBTQIA+ EDI working group point person, founder of the Accessibility EDI working group, and Wellness Advocacy File Co-Lead, and were co-National Officer of Reproductive and Sexual Health (2021−2022). Outside of medicine, Jules enjoys spending time with their family and pets, and engaging in their creative hobbies.

Dr. Robert Obara (he/him) completed his medical training at Trinity College Dublin and coming to Canada as an international medical graduate, Dr. Obara is now a full-scope family physician in Manitoba with a special interest in transgender health. He strives to provide comprehensive care and encourages general health and wellness among his patients.
With a passion for advocacy, he has worked on various initiatives related to women’s reproductive rights and health training, and on 2SLGBTQIA+ wellness and health promotion; he has also served on the Manitoba College of Family Physicians’ board. In his spare time, he enjoys playing volleyball.