Join us in Toronto at the Central YMCA for the Annual IEHPs Summit. Come for the Panel Discussion, Sector-Specific breakout sessions. Meet other community partners at the event and learn about support available for IEHPs through their various programs.
The Annual IEHPs Summit is a national program supporting internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) as they transition into the Canadian healthcare workforce.
This year’s summit focuses on workforce integration through licensure, mentorship, and sector collaboration — bringing together IEHPs, employers, and community partners.
When:
Saturday, November 22, 2025
9:30 am – 1:00 pm EST
Where:
YMCA of Greater Toronto, 20 Grosvenor St, Toronto, ON, M4Y 2V5
More information: https://internationalhealthprofessionals.ca/the-annual…/
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/…/reg…/q7p1AxjFS_KGlLAYB7d0ng...
Speakers:
Dr. Filipe Santos, MD, PhD, MScCH, FRCPC
Dr. Filipe Nadir Caparica Santos is a Brazilian-Canadian anesthesiologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, where he also serves as Simulation Lead and Fellowship Coordinator in the Department of Anesthesia at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto. After completing his MD, residency training, and a PhD in Pharmacology in Brazil, Dr. Santos moved to Canada in 2017, where he pursued additional postgraduate training and earned a Master of Science in Community Health from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Drawing from his personal experience as an internationally trained physician, he is deeply committed to advocacy and mentorship in medical education and licensure. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2023. Since 2024, he has been actively assisting IMGs and supporting the development of equitable and transparent pathways for international medical graduates to enter the Canadian healthcare system.
Dr. Wasem Alsabbagh
Dr. Wasem Alsabbagh received his Bachelor of Pharmacy from Damascus University in 2000. He then obtained his Canadian Board of Pharmacy certification and Ontario license in 2006, subsequently practicing as a hospital pharmacist in Ontario, Canada until 2008. He also acquired his US board certification and is licensed with the Michigan Board of Pharmacy. He commenced his Ph.D. studies at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, successfully completing his degree and starting his appointment with the School of Pharmacy at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada in 2015 as an Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2023.
Nasrin Alostaz
Nasrin is a distinguished Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) with a blend of academic excellence and professional expertise. Holding a Ph.D. in Nursing, she serves as a Post-Doctoral Researcher at Athabasca University’s School of Nursing. Her work focuses on developing evidence-informed policies that support the integration of IENs into the Canadian nursing workforce and advance the healthcare system. Nasrin brings a rich multicultural perspective to her professional endeavours. With extensive experience, she is deeply invested in fostering a healthcare system that values diversity and inclusion.
Houda Zrelli
Houda Zrelli is a project coordinator at the Réseau Franco-Santé du Sud de l’Ontario (Southern Ontario Francophone Health Network), where she has been working for over three years to implement initiatives that promote the integration of internationally trained healthcare professionals and healthcare equity.
In addition, she supports the Francophone component of the Pegasus Institute’s program for internationally trained healthcare professionals, a role she has also held for over three years.
Trained as a nurse, Houda worked in the post-operative unit, an experience that gives her a concrete understanding of the challenges of the clinical environment and the realities of the healthcare system. She also worked as a community liaison officer at the Greater Sudbury Health Centre, where she helped strengthen ties between communities and healthcare services.
Gilbert Shongo
Gilbert Shongo, is a registered nurse who is passionate about excellence in care and innovation. With six years of experience at Centre Médical Diamant, established in Canada in 1995 and in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2013, he initially worked there as an emergency room nurse for three years before being promoted to nursing coordinator and then head of department, leading a team of over sixty nurses. He actively participated as a member of the project committee for the implementation of the ISO 9001 quality management system for the nursing departments, contributing to the continuous improvement of practices and the performance of care.
Holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a diploma in leadership and healthcare management, he completed emergency medicine training at Harvard Medical School. Today, he is a registered nurse at the Prescott and Russell Residence in Ontario.
In parallel, I collaborate with Coltan Multiservices, a company specializing in software design and development, to create digital solutions that modernize nursing practice.
