James Orbinski
Biography:
JAMES ORBINSKI is a medical doctor and the incoming Principal of Massey College. He is known for his ground-breaking research on medical humanitarianism, infectious diseases, global health governance, and more recently, the health impacts of climate change. Dr. Orbinski believes in actively engaging and shaping our world so that it is more just, fair and humane.
Having served as a Senior Fellow for twenty years, Dr. Orbinski is returning to U of T as Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine; and is cross-appointed to the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy as well as the Dalla Lana School of Public Health.
Dr. Orbinski is the Founding Director of York University’s Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, and previously served as Chair in Global Health Governance at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and Wilfrid Laurier University, and as Chair of Global Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health.
Dr. Orbinski was International Council president of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) at the time the organization received the Nobel Peace Prize, which he accepted on their behalf. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and has received Canada’s Meritorious Service Cross for his leadership in providing direct medical relief during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
In his 2008 book, An Imperfect Offering: Humanitarian Action for the 21st Century, Dr. Orbinski explores the challenges of medical humanitarianism in the context of his experiences working for MSF in the 1990s (which included a stint as MSF Chief of Mission in Rwanda during its genocide). The book was a bestseller and has been translated into five languages.
Dr. Orbinski holds a BSc from Trent University, an MD degree from McMaster University, and an MA in International Relations from the University of Toronto. He is a member of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. An avid canoeist, Dr. Orbinski lives in Guelph, Ontario, with his wife and their three children.
Activities:
Ethics Series — Lending a Helping Hand: Climate Change, Global Conflicts and Humanitarian Aid