Damyen Henderson-Lee Wah
Damyen recently graduated from the Masters in Health Services Research program at the Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto.
His thesis research focused on using qualitative methods to conduct the first phase of an adapted co-design process aimed at developing a digital support tool for sudden cardiac arrest survivors and close family members. In October 2023, Damyen presented his research findings in the poster competition at CANet’s Expert Knowledge Exchange in Montreal where he won first place in the general interest category. In December 2023, he was also selected to present an oral concurrent session alongside his supervisor, Dr. Katie Dainty at the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit in San Diego California.
Since graduating, he has been working alongside a talented team to advance health equity in Ontario’s healthcare system as a Specialist with Ontario Health’s Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Anti-Racism Special Projects Team. Outside of his work at Ontario Health, Damyen has supported ongoing work being led by Dr. Katharine Allan, Dr. Paul Dorian and Dr. Lisa Puchalski Ritchie, involving a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals and an individual who has lost a relative to SCA. This collaboration between Unity Health and the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario aims to improve cascade-screening uptake by implementing a multicomponent strategy to address identified gaps in the integration of care for at-risk families.
When asked what Damyen most enjoys about the CANet CHAT community, he mentioned how “CANet offers amazing opportunities to share and learn from other trainees and established professionals in cardiovascular care and research who share a drive to transform care through innovation. Being a part of this community has allowed me to expand my professional network and get involved in advancing cardiac research.”
In his free time, Damyen enjoys nature walks, camping, and spending time with family and friends.