Carolyn Canfield (She/Her)
Citizen-Patient Advisor
I am indebted to the Hul’qumi’num-speaking peoples, in particular from the Penelakut Tribe and the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, on whose traditional, ancestral and unceded lands I have lived for over thirty-five years. I bring to my work the perspective of patients and the public who deserve respect from a system that values them as individuals, especially when at their most vulnerable. My study of patient harm has led me around the world, advocating for building networks of trust that offer sufficient resilience to accommodate the stresses and uncertainty that characterize healthcare. Extending kindness, generosity and forgiveness sustains those relationships, whether linking patient with clinician, or across practice teams. Contributing to the ISU as a positive disruptor in support of this energetic and accomplished team is my great privilege. As adjunct faculty, I am especially grateful to students and early career professionals who have trusted me as their mentor, leading me to believe that their future is bright as dedicated, accountable and thriving healthcare leaders. You’ll most often find me striding across UBC’s Point Grey campus, discovering new garden corners and connecting with seasonal rhythms.