Over the past seven years at �첥��Ƶ, Theresa has been a foundational force behind the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research’s success. She has helped build the Institute from the ground up, establishing the administrative and operational frameworks that support a thriving $40 million research enterprise. But her impact reaches far beyond structures and systems. Theresa has shaped DI’s culture—creating a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven environment where research, teaching, and global health action flourish. Her leadership has been absolutely vital to DI’s growth and impact.

Theresa doesn’t just keep things running—she moves things forward. Her collaborative work with departments across the university reflects a deep understanding of both people and systems. She’s a relationship builder, a problem solver, and a quiet but powerful catalyst for progress.

“Leadership does not always mean being at the forefront. Sometimes, it means working behind the scenes,” she shares, “to create the conditions that allow others to shine—to build systems that support people, and to ensure that everyone has the tools they need to do their very best work.”

With that spirit, Theresa offers heartfelt acknowledgment and gratitude for the DI community and colleagues from all across campus for their encouragement, support, and collaboration.

Congratulations to York’s newest Emerging Leader – the DI is so lucky to have Theresa’s exemplary leadership as part of the research administration and operations team at the DI!

Theresa was joined at the November 3, 2025 event with senior fellow Dr. Harvey Skinner (nominator); former director James Orbinski; interim director Mary Wiktorowicz; community fellow Susan Harris; research fellows Syed Imran Ali and Chloe Clifford Astbury; professors Idil Boran and Amrita Daftary; & colleagues Charlotte Bull and Natalie Paterson. Not photographed: Nilanjana Ganguli, Hajer Mirwali, and Abigail Vogus.

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The study will explore experiences of gender-based violence (GBV) among women impacted by TB, and emerging responses, in settings characterized by distinct sociopolitical and cultural contexts that influence both disease prevalence and gender disparities. Although substantial literature has established links between GBV and infectious diseases like HIV and COVID-19, the intersectionality between TB and GBV remains insufficiently examined. The multidisciplinary team endeavors to bridge this knowledge gap and establish a foundation for policy and programmatic interventions rooted in community-derived insights. By centering the lived experiences of women affected by TB and GBV, a nuanced, evidence-based, and locally developed global framework may be envisioned.

The team anticipates sharing updates as the project progresses toward data collection and analysis phases in the forthcoming months. 

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Regular daily research activity continues at the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research as we do our part to keep our community of global health researchers and practitioners safe and healthy, and move forward in our work of shaping a socially just global health.

The Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research supports a coordinated, evidence-based, ethical, proportional, flexible, and precautionary response to COVID-19 which makes use of established global public health practices and systems.
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Information from the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research will continue to be shared on our website, through our , and on Members of the �첥��Ƶ community can check for updates from the university.

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Gallery: Dahdaleh Institute Members Convocate

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Dr. James Orbinski has been named inaugural Director of the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research (“The Institute”), effective September 1, 2017. Established in 2015, the Institute provides leadership and innovation to improve global health. This initiative has been made possible with a $20 million transformational donation from Victor Phillip Dahdaleh, a UK-based Canadian business leader and York alumnus.

The Institute reflects York’s commitment to interdisciplinary approaches and draws on research strengths from across the University. A champion of global health and humanitarianism throughout his career, Orbinski is an internationally renowned professor, medical doctor, researcher, author, and passionate advocate. He is the former international president of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders during which he helped launch its Access to Essential Medicines Campaign. He has advised the UN Security Council, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross for his humanitarian leadership in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide, and is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

“As an institution, York is committed to values that are completely synonymous with my own,” said Orbinski, “It is fundamentally committed to equity and social justice, and to bringing the resources of a university to make the world a better place, through global health. I believe that our world is made by what we do, and what we do is driven by our values. For me, York is a community that I feel deeply privileged to be joining.”

, has been appointed as a Professor in the School of Health Policy and Management, effective July 1, 2017. He is cross-appointed to Osgoode Hall Law School and will also be a key contributor to the Institute. The University will be nominating him for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Global Governance and Social Innovation. Hoffman is one of Canada's most influential scholars in global health governance, law and policy, having served as an advisor to several national governments, the UN and the WHO. In 2016, Hoffman was appointed the Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR’s) Institute of Population and Public Health. With his appointment, �첥��Ƶ will serve as the new administrative host of CIHR’s Institute of Population and Public Health.

“Global health challenges don’t fit neatly into one discipline, so I focus on bringing together research from different places to solve real-world problems,” said Hoffman, “York is an exciting place to learn and do research. I am eager to leverage my background as an international lawyer and interdisciplinary social scientist to build bridges across campus.”

“With the historic and generous $20 million gift from Victor Dahdaleh to build on York's growing strength in global health, and with the appointment of Drs. Orbinski and Hoffman, two world leaders in this field, the University is poised to become an international leader in global health research, problem solving and public policy,” said Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor of �첥��Ƶ. “The lasting global impact will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives now and in the future.”

“It’s a privilege to welcome two of the world’s most influential thinkers, visionaries, and advocates for global and population health to York,” said Paul McDonald, Dean, Faculty of Health, �첥��Ƶ, “James and Steven join a progressive minded community of academics who are contributing to the development of cutting-edge health research that is changing the dynamics of health issues, health care services and health systems in Canada and globally. They will play an important role in helping us build Canada’s first undergraduate degree program in global health.”

Home to Canada’s only global health program, York’s Faculty of Health was founded in 2006 by integrating four academic units with varying perspectives. No university in Canada combines these strengths in equivalent depth.

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The Institute will be a leader and catalyst in addressing global health issues, and will provide a robust context for students involved in York’s Global Health program as well as academics and researchers working in the field at the University and around the world.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Dahdaleh shares our vision to build on York’s strength in global health,” says Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor of �첥��Ƶ. “The Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health will serve as a focal point for international dialogue and collaboration in health innovation research and teaching that will have global impact and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives now and in the future.”

The Dahdaleh Institute will reflect the multi-disciplinary nature of global health with involvement from faculties across the University, initially focused within the Faculty of Health. This initiative has been made possible by a from Victor Phillip Dahdaleh, a UK-based Canadian business leader. Announced recently, Dahdaleh, who graduated from the University almost four decades ago, made a gift of $20 million, the largest gift ever made by a member of York’s alumni.

“I am excited and honoured to contribute to �첥��Ƶ as it addresses global health and equity challenges through research, social innovation, international collaboration and leadership development, and prepares the next generation of global health leaders,” says Dahdaleh.

The Institute’s work will lead to a reframing of the ways in which high and low income countries collaborate in the co-creation of solutions to global health challenges. A strategic advantage is �첥��Ƶ’s focus on equity and extensive range of global partners and networks linked to the culturally diverse Greater Toronto Area. These global-local linkages provide unparalleled opportunities for collaborative research and knowledge mobilization that address pressing health and social concerns.

Dahdaleh’s donation will provide both immediate and permanent funding to establish new Faculty positions, research initiatives and projects, scholarships and travel grants for domestic and international students.

In honour of this transformational gift, the University is officially naming the on its Keele campus.

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was made during a reception at the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom.

“This historic act of generosity by Victor Dahdaleh will enable us to prepare the next generation of global health leaders, strengthen our research capacity, and advance our commitment to building stronger, healthier communities,” said Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor, �첥��Ƶ. “His significant investment will have a major impact through the expansion of York’s innovative Global Health program and research initiatives in keeping with our strategic academic priorities.”

Dahdaleh’s donation is the largest by an alumnus in the university’s 56-year history. The noted philanthropist graduated with an honours Bachelor of Arts, Administrative Studies degree almost four decades ago and recognizes the university’s commitment to addressing international health challenges.

“�첥��Ƶ is breaking new ground in global health education and research, offering students exceptionally valuable skills and knowledge to understand and address complex health-related issues in countries around the world,” said Dahdaleh. “I am honoured to support my alma mater in its mission to prepare graduates to address the world’s most pressing issues such as the health and wellbeing of humankind.”

Dahdaleh is known for his philanthropic and leadership contributions in support of education, health-related research, economic and social development and the arts at a number of organizations around the globe, including McGill University, the London School of Economics, the William J. Clinton Foundation and the Canada Gallery at Canada House.

Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Gordon Campbell, said of the gift: “We are delighted to host this momentous announcement here at Canada House in the very heart of London. Our country plays a key role in educating students from around the world to deal with pressing global health issues and this generous contribution from an alumnus to this world-leading institution will surely bolster those efforts. We are duly proud of Canada’s work in this area and wish �첥��Ƶ continued success.”

York’s Faculty of Health last year launched the first Global Health Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs in Canada, to produce graduates to work with health practitioners, educators, non-governmental organizations, governments and businesses around the world, in recognition that global health challenges have no borders and are intertwined with broader issues, including wealth disparity, environmental degradation, government policy and human rights.

More details about the expansion of these teaching and research programs will be available in the coming weeks.

Image 1

�첥��Ƶ President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri celebrates philanthropist Victor Phillip Dahdaleh’s transformational donation of $20 million in London today. The gift, announced during a reception at the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom, is the largest by a �첥��Ƶ alumnus and will fund the expansion of the university’s global health initiatives.

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Philanthropist Victor Phillip Dahdaleh makes a $20 million gift to �첥��Ƶ for the expansion of the university’s global health initiatives. From left: Dahdaleh with Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Gordon Campbell and �첥��Ƶ President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri at Canada House in London.

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