Knaul elected into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

Felicia Knaul, an international health economist and expert in health systems and social sectors, is among 77 new fellows honored for their impact on health sciences.

Felicia Knaul, an international health economist who is director of the University of Miami Institute for Advanced Study of the Americas and professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the Miller School of Medicine, has been elected into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. 

“Canada’s health system has been a beacon for my research. Having the honor to be chosen a member of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences is an opportunity to work more closely with my fellow Canadians and project knowledge globally,” said the Canada-born Knaul, who completed her undergraduate studies in economics and international development at the University of Toronto.

Knaul has held senior government posts in Mexico and Colombia and worked for bilateral and multilateral agencies including the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and UNICEF. In 2017, she was inducted into the National Academy of Medicine of Mexico along with University of Miami President Julio Frenk.

An international health economist, Knaul has pursued both research and advocacy to reduce inequities and strengthen health systems to improve the well-being of vulnerable populations. She founded Tómatelo a Pecho, a Mexican NGO dedicated to improving women´s health and transformed her breast cancer experience into evidence-based innovations for low-income populations. 

The newly elected academy fellows were introduced Sept. 18, during the 2020 Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. The 77 fellows represent all disciplines across Canada’s universities, health care, and research institutes. And they have demonstrated, through their careers and lives, that they are committed to their field of expertise in many ways and will continue to evaluate Canada’s most complex health challenges and recommend strategic, actionable solutions.

“Our fellows understand that being elected to the academy carries with it a covenant to serve the academy and the future well-being of the health sciences, irrespective of the fellow’s specific discipline,” said Dr. Paul Allison, president of the group, as he welcomed the 2020 Fellows during the virtual meeting.

By News@TheU

Published October 5, 2020