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Collaboration with community health care providers, partners from health authorities, community organizations, education institutions, and government to advance culturally safe care for Indigenous communities. None of this work is possible without the support of our key collaborators. Current funders include the Ministry of Health Patients as Partners Initiative and the Vancouver Physicians Staff Association. We also work with closely with Vancouver Coastal Health Aboriginal Health, First Nations Health Authority, and Island Health.
Executive Director of ICON
Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine
Dr. Kendall Ho is a practicing emergency medicine specialist and the lead at Digital Emergency Medicine at the University of British Columbia, Department of Emergency Medicine. He is also the Executive Director of the inter-Cultural Online health Network (iCON), an initiative that started in 2008 to support multicultural populations in B.C. to optimize chronic disease management through eHealth, supported by the BC Ministry of Health.
Dr. Ho was a past Associate Dean in Continuing Professional Development from 1998 to 2008, and was the founding director of the Faculty of Medicine eHealth Strategy Office from 2008 to 2015. Kendall was a past member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s Professional Development Committee and the eHealth Committee of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada. He is a collaborator with the World Health Organization eHealth Observatory and Pan American Health Organization Knowledge Management branch. He is the Vice President of the International Association of Humanitarian Medicine.
Dr. Ho’s academic and research interests is in digital health – the use of information technologies to improve healthcare for patients. Specific directions of research include: telehealth, home health monitoring, information and communication technologies (ICT) and patient safety and public engagement, and evidence-based policy translation in Digital Health. He is a recipient of a number of provincial, national, and international research grants in eHealth and eLearning, and has published related papers and textbook chapters in these subjects.
Dr. Kendall Ho has been featured in DigEM, discussing indigenous cultural safety. Check out the article here.
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Cheema, MBBS, LMCC, CCFP, FCFP, was elected in B.C. in May 2001 to represent the riding of Surrey-Panorama Ridge. On June 05, 2001 Dr. Gulzar Cheema was appointed as a member of the Executive Council for the Government of B.C. as Minister of State for Mental Health. On January 26, 2004, he was appointed as a member of the Executive Council for the Government of B.C. as Minister of State for Immigration and Multicultural Services. He was also a member of the Legislative Assembly in Manitoba for five years and served as critic for health. He has also practised medicine in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba. He received his bachelor of medicine and surgery from India’s Punjab University, interned at the University of Newfoundland and was a resident at Saskatoon’s University Hospital. In 1992 he was awarded the Canada 125 Medal for community service. To promote the health and welfare of the community, Dr. Cheema participates weekly on local multicultural radio talk shows.
At present he is practicing family medicine in Surrey, BC and is a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Family Practice.
He is the first Indian born person to be elected as a MLA in Canada.
Chief Nursing Officer
Barbara Ho graduated from Nursing in 1982 and has since been practicing as a Registered Nurse in BC in a variety of acute hospital positions. She currently works part-time as an Endoscopy nurse at the GI Research Institute.
Barbara is an active volunteer in the community- especially with initiatives related to music. She served as a member of the Parish Education Committee and Parent Teacher Association Chairperson at St. Francis Xavier School from 2002 to 2006. She is also a former Director of the Vancouver Chinese Choir Association.
Through iCON activities, Barbara is hoping to continue her work in patient education, to provide reliable and relevant health information to citizens and to promote communication between community members and health professionals. Barbara has served as Health Director for iCON’s Chinese portfolio since 2010.
Clinical & Cultural Liaison - South Asian Portfolio
Harleen Chohan is a Clinical Pharmacist at Fraser Health. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy training at the University of British Columbia in 2020 and completed a clinical pharmacy residency with the Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services Program in 2021. She has expertise in creating guideline driven-evidence based, culturally appropriate patient chronic disease self-management resources for multicultural communities in British Columbia, as well as providing cultural context for practitioners in primary care settings. She is passionate about improving patient care and patient outcomes through providing pharmaceutical care and education and reducing barriers experienced by BC's multicultural communities.
iCON Program Manager
Betsy Leimbigler holds a Ph.D. in political science from the John F. Kennedy Institute, Free University Berlin, Germany. She has previously worked in various roles and institutions, including at UBC Okanagan as a postdoctoral researcher and research coordinator, at the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, and the University of Ottawa Centre on Governance. She also taught courses on policy analysis and health politics at the Free University of Berlin and Bard College Berlin. She is passionate about languages, cultures and health equity.
Research Assistant
As a recent graduate of the University of British Columbia, I have a strong academic foundation in Psychology and Biology. Throughout my academic journey, I have deepened my understanding of human behavior and biological processes, which I apply to contribute effectively to healthcare and research.
In addition to my academic background, my proficiency in multiple languages enables me to communicate and collaborate with a diverse range of individuals and communities. This skill is crucial for addressing the unique needs of various populations and ensuring that research and healthcare initiatives are both inclusive and accessible.
With previous experience supporting non-profit organizations, I aim to use my expertise to help different communities thrive and lead healthier lives.
Work Learn Student – Community Engagament Assistant
Gurkaman Bal is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a degree in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience. He is passionate about community engagement, healthcare innovation, and exploring how science and research can be translated into meaningful, accessible impact for diverse communities. He is particularly interested in how communication and outreach strategies can make health and academic initiatives more accessible, inclusive, and impactful. He is excited to further develop his skills in engagement, collaboration, and knowledge sharing within a research-driven environment. In his free time, he enjoys playing football, going to the gym, and painting, which provide a balance to his academic and professional interests.
Work Learn Student – Research Assistant
Research Assistant
Event Coordinator
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Minika holds degrees in Marketing Management and Corporate Communications. She has 15 years of experience in marketing, communications, fundraising and event management, working for public relations agencies and non-profit organizations in both Hong Kong and Canada. Minika moved to Vancouver in 2013, most recently working with Alzheimer Society of B.C. and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation, and enjoys work-life balance here in Canada. She also believes that cultural diversity paves the way with more empathy and compassion, and to approach the world from various perspectives. “Do everything in love”.
iCON Evaluation Analyst
Pooja joined the iCON team as a Research Asistant to better understand the social determinants of health and systemic challenges that impair individuals' ability to engage in preventative care practices. She has three years of research experience through her involvement in social and developmental research at UBC, which has enhanced her quantitative data collection and analysis skills. In addition to her own multicultural upbringing and lived experience as an immigrant, she has experience working with the international student population in Canada and consulting with non-profit organizations to cater to the needs of marginalized communities. She has an educational background in Psychology and Sociology, which has inspired her current research interest and drive to understand the factors that impact the holistic care approach.
Work Learn Student - Community Engagement Associate
Vanesse is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a major in Microbiology & Immunology. She is passionate about community engagement, advocacy, and research, with a particular interest in exploring how science and healthcare can be made more accessible and inclusive for diverse communities. Through her role at DigEM, she is excited to learn more about knowledge translation and community engagement, while helping improve accessibility through digital tools and innovation.
Work Learn Student - Communication's Associate
Naunidh is an undergraduate student at UBC, pursuing a degree in Neuroscience. She is passionate about exploring how neuroscience can inform policy and innovation and how digital health can be integral to improving patient outcomes. In her role at DigEM, she is eager to support communications and engagement efforts that make research and health initiatives accessible for diverse communities.
Established in 2007, the interCultural Online Health Network (iCON) is a community-driven health promotion initiative that brings together health practitioners and multicultural communities to provide culturally relevant health information for the prevention and management of chronic diseases. In 2010, with the support of the Ministry of Health Patients as Partners Initiative, iCON expanded to include activities to advance culturally safe care for Indigenous communities. These efforts have focused on engaging communities, patients, practitioners, administrators, and policy makers in dialogues to advance culturally safe care, and ways to meet the Call to Action #22 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission:
We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.
In addition to iCON Indigenous, the iCON team also works with local community healthcare providers, community members, caregivers, community organizations, government, and media to support patients, families and community members in chronic disease education, prevention and management. Click here to learn more about other iCON initiatives and events.
In collaborations with Vancouver Coastal Health, First Nations Health Authority, Vancouver Island Health Authority, Vancouver Physicians Staff Association and Indigenous communities across BC, iCON continues to develop platforms and resources to advance culturally safe care for Indigenous communities.
Working together to support patient-centered care.
Programming that is responsive to the needs of communities it serves.
Continuous evaluation to ensure improvement and excellence.
Embracing cultural diversity in health care. Fostering cultural safety and open dialogue in health care.
Empowering patients to achieve better health outcomes.
Executive Director of ICON
Chief Medical Officer
Chief Nursing Officer
Clinical & Cultural Liaison - South Asian Portfolio
iCON Program Manager
Research Assistant
Work Learn Student – Community Engagament Assistant
Work Learn Student – Research Assistant
Research Assistant
Event Coordinator
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
iCON Evaluation Analyst
Work Learn Student - Community Engagement Associate
Work Learn Student - Communication's Associate
Thank you for your interest! Volunteers are instrumental in making our iCON program a success. The iCON team relies on volunteers with a wide variety of skills. If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, please contact us.
Volunteer Benefits