Our Residents
PGY-1
Dr. Oscar Pico Espinosa
Dr. Oscar Pico Espinosa was born and raised in Santander, Colombia, where he obtained his medical degree from Universidad Industrial de Santander. He worked in primary care and program evaluation before he was awarded the Swedish Institute Scholarship for global professionals to study Public Health and Epidemiology at the Karolinska Institutet. After his PhD, he completed a clinical internship in primary care at Region Gävleborg. Since migrating to Canada, he has been working in HIV prevention for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. He was previously a CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN) postdoctoral research fellow. In his free time, he loves dancing Cuban salsa, cooking, hiking and swimming.
Dr. Kasunka Kankanam Gamage
Dr. Kasunka Kankanam Gamage is originally from Sri Lanka and obtained her medical degree from the University of Ruhuna. She also completed a Master’s in Community Health at the University of Toronto. Her experiences of growing up in a village and working in various healthcare settings have inspired her to address social determinants of health and promote health equity. She is particularly interested in mental health and addictions, sexual and reproductive health, rural health services and health policy. Outside of medicine, she enjoys baking, cooking, hiking, and travelling.
PGY-2
Dr. Lyall Pacey
Dr. Lyall Pacey completed medical school at the University of Saskatchewan. He grew up in Yorkton, Saskatchewan and worked for several years as a pediatric speech-language pathologist in rural and regional settings. His experiences affirmed the importance of community-based care and influencing others at a population level, and drove his interest in PHPM at NOSM U. Outside of medicine, Lyall spends time at the gym, running, or on a bike.
Dr. Chidubem Okechukwu
Dr. Chidubem Okechukwu is an Indigenous Nigerian who obtained her MBBS from the first Indigenous and independent University in Nigeria, and a Master of Public Health degree from UBC. Having grown up in a rural region where she saw firsthand how her own family and relatives were adversely affected by lack of quality and accessible healthcare services, she was inspired to study medicine and to give back. Her personal and lived experiences led her to acquire a wealth of international experience including as a volunteer in many rural and remote underserved communities in Nigeria where she organized and led outreach primary and preventive care services and advocated for populations and communities at risk. Recognized for her dedication and determination, she was awarded a Mastercard Foundation Scholarship to attend UBC in order to follow her passion for additional public health knowledge and to continue her career as a public health specialist in Canada.
PGY-3
Dr. Christina Hao
Dr. Christina Hao is originally from Montreal and completed medical school at Université de Montréal. She has always been inspired by the vast fields of communicable disease, health prevention and promotion, health inequities, and mental health. Christina looks forward to developing skills as a medical officer of health, and making a positive difference in communities and society. So far, she has found that NOSM University provides great experience in training, diversified practice, great support and working environment.
PGY-4
Dr. Emma Pillsworth
Dr. Emma Pillsworth completed a Master of Public Health degree at Queen’s University and worked as a Health Promoter prior to obtaining her medical education at the University of Calgary. She has completed her CCFP through NOSM U and now works part-time as a coroner. Her public health interests are diverse and include rural, remote and Northern public health; community engagement; medical education; and generalist public health and preventive medicine, with a particular interest in health promotion. On days off, she can be found camping, paddling, hiking, adventure racing, playing board games, or snuggling up with her cats.
Dr. Blessing Odia
Dr. Blessing Odia completed her Bachelors in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) in Nigeria and is a fellow of the West Africa College of Physicians and Post Graduate College of Nigeria. She recently completed her Masters in Public Health, and has significant experience in monitoring and evaluation, logistic management of health commodities (supply chain a management), and adolescent health in Sub-Saharan Africa. She is particularly interested in health promotion and adolescent health. Her goal is to support closing the gap of inequity between the poor and rich.
PGY-5
Dr. Stone Li
Dr. Stone Li’s prior education includes a double major in biological and physical sciences, a master of public health in biostatistics, and a doctor of medicine at the University of Alberta. He was drawn to the NOSM U PHPM program by its social accountability mandate, focusing on giving back to the community and addressing factors that affect population health. His public health interests include public health education, communicable disease control, public health research and knowledge translation, environmental health, and supporting vulnerable populations. His clinical interests involve addictions medicine, inner city medicine, infectious disease, and mental health support.
Dr. Emil Azuma Prikryl
Dr. Emil Azuma Prikryl completed undergraduate degrees in piano performance at the University of Toronto and physics at Carleton University before obtaining his MD from the University of Ottawa. He completed an MSc in Public Health (Environment and Health stream) at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Emil was drawn to NOSM University’s position as a catalyst for the change we need to see in the health system, serving as a bridge between North and South, between cultures and communities, and between knowledge and creativity. Beyond his pursuits in public health, Emil maintains broad interests in basic and applied sciences. He can also be frequently seen re-connecting with nature through various outdoor activities such as trail running, climbing and skiing.