New roles at Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy set to advance EDI goals across the faculty

The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy is pleased to announce two new roles that will focus on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and help advance efforts in these important areas.

Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI)

Lachmi Singh has taken on the new role of Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) as of January 1, 2023.  This role reports directly to Dean Dolovich, as well as to Jodie Glean, Executive Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at U of T connecting us to a wide network of EDI professionals across U of T.  The Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy will work collaboratively with academic, administrative and student leaders to develop and implement initiatives aimed at furthering EDI within learning and working environments across the Faculty. This role will take the lead to educate, inform and advance principles and values of equity, diversity and inclusivity through training, outreach and the provision of advice and information.

Last year, Lachmi co-chaired the Faculty’s first EDI working group that developed recommendations now included as a key area of focus in the Faculty’s Academic Plan Emerge, Thrive, and Lead. In addition to her PhD and LLB degrees, Lachmi expects to complete her MEd in Social Justice Education through OISE in the summer of 2023. Lachmi’s knowledge and expertise will allow for a research informed approach to critical understandings of the social, historical, cultural, political, economic and ethical contexts of education. 

Indigenous Engagement Lead (IEL)

Jaris Swidrovich has accepted the newly created role of Indigenous Engagement Lead (IEL) for the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.  Reporting to the Dean, the Indigenous Engagement Lead will provide guidance on incorporating key issues on Indigenous Health, Indigenous Ways of Knowing about health and the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ History on health to support the advancement of equity and inclusion throughout all aspects of our Faculty community, including education, research, and clinical practice. Jaris will work with leadership across the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy to build strong, respectful, and sustainable relationships and partnerships with Indigenous Peoples to further these goals.

Jaris Swidrovich, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream at LDFP is a Two Spirit Saulteaux First Nations and Ukrainian man and pharmacist from Yellow Quill First Nation. He is the first self-identified Indigenous faculty member in pharmacy in Canada and is the founder and Chair of the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC). His areas of research and practice include pain, HIV/AIDS, substance use disorders, 2SLGBTQ+ health, Indigenous health, social determinants of health, pharmacy practice, and pharmacy / health professions education. Dr. Swidrovich is also a PhD Candidate in Education at the University of Saskatchewan where he is studying Indigenous Peoples’ experiences with pharmacy education in Canada.