“How we treat the vulnerable is a reflection of who we are as individuals and as a society,”

Driven by this belief, Dr. Mehreen Zaman embarked on a doctoral journey at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. She aspired to drive systemic change and dismantle barriers to care faced by those suffering from illness. As a doctoral student, she acquired publications in some of the top biomedical journals for studies focusing on patient-centred care.

Simultaneously, as a mother navigating her infant’s life-threatening food allergies, she struggled to find basic guidance and support within the healthcare system. Armed with a doctoral specialization in Health Program Outcomes and Evaluation and a Master’s in Health Informatics, Dr. Zaman founded MyAllergyAid Inc., to ease the burdens of caregivers of children with severe food allergies. Driven by her deeply personal connection to the cause, she tirelessly advocated to empower the underrepresented population, for which she was awarded the prestigious King Charles Coronation III Medal. 

Through MyAllergyAid, Dr. Zaman connected with a vast population of unheard parents in similar situations, highlighting the inadequacy of policies and processes in catering to the needs of the food allergy community. The powerful patient narratives spurred her interest in patient advocacy and engagement. Now, she channels her passion into research and advocacy efforts, relentlessly seeking deeper insights into the struggles of this community and striving to empower them to feel safe. She remains committed to reshaping the complex food allergy landscape that patients have to steer through, ensuring meaningful change for future generations.

Outside of MyAllergyAid, Dr. Zaman draws upon her extensive work on end-of-life care and patient outcomes. She serves on the Quality and Risk Assessment Committee at Mississauga Hospice. As a researcher, she is passionate about investigating ways to leverage information technology for equitable patient management. She also embodies her commitment to teaching and education by sharing her expertise as a lecturer of Palliative Medicine and Bioethics for future clinicians, as well as a guest lecturer at various institutes.