Leadership Change Announcement - Dr. Emma Herrington Passes the Baton to New Co-President, Kirsten Roche
CAMSAHT Co-Founder and Outgoing Co-President, Dr. Emma Herrington
Five years ago, two medical students founded the Canadian Alliance of Medical Students Against Human Trafficking (CAMSAHT). Seeking to address the gap they saw in medical training regarding human trafficking, they recruited students from across the country to create a community of advocates. That community has now grown into a dozen chapters, with partnerships created between anti-human trafficking organizations in multiple cities across Canada. Much of this is owed to the dedication of our co-founder and co-president, Dr. Emma Herrington (Family Medicine, uOttawa). Alongside co-founder and co-president Guido Guberman, Dr. Herrington’s vision and compassionate leadership propelled the years of research, curriculum development, and advocacy carried out by CAMSAHT.
After five years as a leader during both medical school and residency, Dr. Herrington is stepping down as co-president and handing over the role to the new co-president, Kirsten Roche. We asked Dr. Herrington a few questions in reflection over her time as co-president.
Did you ever think CAMSAHT would be what it is today?
“I had such high hopes for this organization, and we have surpassed all of our initial goals. It’s far too simple when working tirelessly on a project you’re passionate about, to focus on goals not met or inadequacies. But reflecting on the change that we have been a part of over the last several years is a cause for real celebration and pause. When we first started, no medical schools had formal education on human trafficking. With the advocacy of our members, 9 medical schools are working towards having yearly educational sessions about trafficking: that’s over half of the medical schools in Canada! We’ve conducted research projects at several schools and have been invited to share our findings with the federal government! It really has been an amazing journey co-founding CAMSAHT and being co-president for almost 5 years.”
Dr. Emma Herrington
Dr. Emma Herrington
What are you most proud of?
“Guido and I are so proud of the community that is CAMSAHT. We have focused on cultivating an environment where people from all backgrounds can learn and advocate. We have been dedicated to partnering with organizations who are sex work positive and LGBTQIA2S+ inclusive. I know that Kirsten and Guido will carry on these traditions in the years to come!”
In your opinion, what should be a focus of the provincial/federal government to increase awareness of human trafficking and help potential victims of trafficking?
“Provincially, there needs to be a redistribution of funds that supports more inclusive, anti-racist, and culturally competent social initiatives. For example, while there will be more federal funding distributed to provinces in the coming years for human trafficking work, these funds should be allocated to safe support services and clinics for persons who are trafficked. Currently, we do not have enough support services for victims. For physicians, this makes it difficult to support potential victims of trafficking without involving police (a common request by trafficked persons). Recognizing the role healthcare professionals play in identifying persons who are trafficked is essential to Canada’s national plan to combat trafficking. Investing in the education of healthcare professionals will allow for more trafficked patients to have access to evidence-based, trauma-informed care in settings that are both supportive, transparent and efficient.”
Dr. Herrington leaves a legacy with her devotion to addressing the health needs of victims of trafficking and educating healthcare professionals about the realities of human trafficking. We acknowledge her outstanding contributions and wish her all the best with her future endeavours and continued advocacy!
Kirsten Roche Takes On Co-President Role
Kirsten Roche began her work within CAMSAHT in 2018 at UBC, where she started the UBC CAMSAHT chapter and served as its president. Kirsten had developed a strong desire to combat human trafficking following some work in the Philippines with an inspiring group of young people who had survived being trafficked. After founding the UBC Chapter, she organized the first ever Northern British Columbia Human Trafficking Symposium. Currently, she is working with a number of passionate UBC medical students to educate medical students and youth in BC about this important but under-recognized issue. With plans to become a Psychiatrist, she is aiming to incorporate the care of trafficking survivors into her future career, both at home and abroad.
Upon reflection of what she anticipates in her new role as co-president, Kirsten shares,
“In my time with CAMSAHT, I have witnessed the phenomenal impact a group of motivated individuals can create when they come together for something that matters. I am so honored to take over as CAMSAHT's Co-President, and I look forward to finding out what else we will accomplish together!”
Incoming CAMSAHT Co-President, Kirsten Roche