Dr. Paula Braitstein (third from left) and University of Toronto students
The BC-CfE is saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Paula Braitstein, a world-renowned expert in public health and epidemiology. She conducted numerous research studies across the globe, mentored countless students and was an ardent advocate for healthcare equity. Born in Montreal, Dr. Braitstein completed her graduate studies at the University of British Columbia under BC-CfE Senior Research Scientist Dr. Robert Hogg and was a dedicated research associate with the BC-CfE from 2000-2005.
Driven by a passion for community-based HIV education and activism, Dr. Braitstein established herself as a prominent voice for those living with HIV in BC through her work at the BC-CfE and participation with BC Persons Living With AIDS (later named Positive Living BC). She played a key role in effectively communicating issues between researchers and community members like advances in HIV treatment, patient privacy and drug access/safety.
In the mid-2000s, her career took her east to a position at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. As an epidemiologist and environmentalist, Dr. Braitstein was increasingly drawn to sub-Saharan Africa where her work in HIV prevention and passion for the environment proved too strong a pull. Continuing her work at Dalla Lana, she moved to Kenya in 2007, with much of her research since focused on improving health outcomes for underserved populations in East Africa including youth and people living with HIV.
During her last visit to the BC-CfE in 2016, Dr. Braitstein presented on her work exploring healthcare access with orphaned children in Kenya. She reflected on the familiar faces among the crowd and mentioned how the work she presented had embedded lessons learned from working at the BC-CfE in the way that they integrated peer navigators in their work with street-connected youths. Like she did in the early 2000s, she knew how to adapt the lessons learned in one area and apply them elsewhere as needed.
The BC-CfE joins the Canadian and international research community in mourning the passing of Dr. Braitstein, sending condolences to her family and colleagues during this difficult time. She leaves behind a legacy of mentorship, research excellence and passionate advocacy for healthcare access for all. We are honoured to have known and worked with her even for such a small sliver of time that our paths crossed.
There are very few people like Paula. Her leadership and advocacy for those without a voice left this earth a much better place. I was lucky to have benefitted from her wisdom. My thoughts are with her family and friends and am so glad to have been a small part of her life.
– Senior Research Scientist Dr. Bob Hogg