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Speakers

Tashauna Reid

Host

Tashauna Reid is a Senior Reporter for CBC News based in Toronto where she files stories for The National, The World at Six, CBC News Network, World Report and CBC.ca. Her current assignment is with the CBC News Health and Science Units covering stories that impact the health of Canadians, including stories stemming from her attendance at last year’s BWHS. Tashauna has a deep affinity with the themes presented at the summit and can’t wait to host this impactful event.

The Skin We're In:
A Conversation on Dermatological Health

Marissa Joseph

Dr. Marissa Joseph completed her medical school at Dalhousie University and her post graduate training at the University of Toronto. She also completed an MSc in Community Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. She is double board-certified in pediatrics and dermatology and an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. She has received and has been nominated for teaching awards in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.

Dr. Joseph is the Medical Director of the Ricky Kanee Schachter Dermatology Centre at Women’s College Hospital. She also works at the Hospital For Sick Children where she manages children with complex dermatologic disease in outpatient and inpatient settings, as well as a pediatric laser treatment program. 

Dr. Joseph enjoys her diverse practice in general adult, pediatric, and surgical dermatology. Her clinical and research interests include complex inflammatory skin disorders, genodermatoses, and equity, diversity and inclusivity. 

Renee Beach

Dr. Renée A. Beach is a dermatologist practicing both medical and cosmetic dermatology in Toronto for more than a decade. She is the founder of DermAtelier on Avenue – Medical & Cosmetic Dermatology in the Avenue-Lawrence area of the city which opened in 2020. She has published both clinical and lab-based research in hair growth and hair loss for over a decade. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and the former head of the Women’s College Hospital Hair Loss clinic (2013 Co-Lead, Head 2016-2023). As the on-air dermatology expert for CTV’s The Social, she strives to explain skincare and skin procedures simply. Her most recent research analyzed cosmetic trends in patients of all skin types, and is a reflection of her mantra: Beauty For All. She is active on Instagram at @DermaBeach .

Christal Malcolm

Christal Malcolm, Hair Loss Mentor and Content Creator, is the visionary behind Your Bald Bestie, a platform committed to empowering individuals navigating alopecia, guiding them toward embracing their true selves with confidence.

Having experienced Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia for over two decades, Christal’s Unapologetically Bare Mentorship Program offers a nurturing environment for those facing emotional hurdles, providing personalized strategies, confidence-boosting exercises, and empathetic guidance infused with a blend of tough love, humor, and unwavering motivation.  In addition, Christal obtained her diploma in organic skincare formulation from Formula Botanica where she learned to craft natural products to support skin health.  Through various media appearances she has been able to highlight the emotional and physical struggles of living with alopecia while challenging the societal stereotypes of beauty.  Beyond her advocacy work, her efforts also encourage natural self-care practices to foster mindfulness as highlighted in her three authored adult coloring books promoting digital detox and self-love.  By connecting with diverse audiences, Christal’s mission is simple: Authenticity over superficiality, because we were never designed to be basic.

The Heart of the Matter:
A conversation on Cardiovascular and Renal Health

Dr. Tosin Osuntokun is a cardiologist at Women’s College Hospital and assistant professor and clinician teacher at the University of Toronto.

She obtained her medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and completed internal medicine and cardiology training in Ireland. She did a clinical fellowship in non-invasive cardiology and inherited cardiac conditions at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals in London, UK.

Dr. Osuntokun completed cardiology clinical fellowship at Women’s College Hospital in complex hypertension, dysautonomia and disorders of blood pressure control. Her other areas of clinical interest include cardiovascular disease associated with rheumatological conditions, heart disease in women and cardiovascular complications in Turner syndrome.

Dr. Husam Abdel-Qadir

Dr. Husam Abdel-Qadir is a scientist and cardiologist at Women's College Hospital and assistant professor at the University of Toronto. 

During cancer treatments, patients experience inconsistencies in the way cardiovascular diseases are factored into treatment decisions where life-saving cardiotoxic therapies can have long-term effects on heart health. As a result, these patients will often develop multiple chronic conditions. Dr. Abdel-Qadir’s research is helping clinicians make more informed recommendations regarding cancer treatment to protect women from future cardiovascular disease, enabling them to live longer and better quality lives.

By developing better pathways of care, he hopes to identify higher-risk women to address modifiable risks to improve their cardiovascular health, as well as lower-risk women to ensure they are spared unnecessary interventions and doctor visits.