Sandra Smiley (she/her)
LightNews LightNews
banner
sandrasmiley.bsky.social
Sandra Smiley (she/her)
@sandrasmiley.bsky.social
58 followers 120 following 15 posts
Smiley by name, smiley by nature | Resident physician @ubcpublichealth.bsky.social | Board @msf.ca | Co-host/producer @justmedicinepod.bsky.social | Posts about public health & social medicine | Opinions mine
Posts Replies Media Videos
sandrasmiley.bsky.social
"Make compassion great again" -- where can I buy THAT cap? 🧢🤩

Q&A with @madhupai.bsky.social
via @cellpress.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Q&A with Madhukar Pai
Professor Madhukar Pai, MD, PhD, FCAHS, FRSC, is the inaugural chair, Department of Global and Public Health at the McGill School of Population and Gl…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 12, 2025 at 10:03 PM
sandrasmiley.bsky.social
Re-upping my conversation with @drmelissalem.bsky.social in advance of 🇨🇦‘s National Day of Action on Planetary Health, 6 October: planetaryhealthday.ca

#planetaryhealthday @cape-acme.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 2:36 AM
sandrasmiley.bsky.social
“We need to recognize that the people most impacted, they're not able to speak for themselves … to say, 'Hey, this is the dignified care needed after someone dies’”

BC funeral homes say provincial burial support falls short of covering costs
via @cdnpress.bsky.social
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
B.C. funeral homes say provincial burial support falls thousands short of covering costs | CBC News
British Columbia's government helps to pay families who can't afford funeral costs, but those who offer the services say the funding isn't enough and could mean the demise of rural operators.
www.cbc.ca
October 5, 2025 at 7:39 PM
sandrasmiley.bsky.social
Toronto ER costs, visits by frequent patients reduced with new housing model
via @liamdevlincasey.bsky.social
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Toronto ER costs, visits by frequent patients reduced with new housing model | CBC News
The Dunn House, a long-term housing project with easy access to healthcare, is helping 48 of Toronto's most-frequent visitors to the ER. The program has greatly reduced the number of hospital visits a...
www.cbc.ca
October 5, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
msf.ca
Today marks 10 years since the bombing of the Kunduz trauma centre, #Afghanistan. We remember the 42 lives lost, including 14 MSF colleagues.

Since reopening in 2021, our teams have treated over 95,000 emergency patients. Hear how the new hospital is helping the community.
October 3, 2025 at 12:27 PM
sandrasmiley.bsky.social
What to know about the war in Sudan
via @geoffreyyork.bsky.social @theglobeandmail.com
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
The war in Sudan is the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis. Here’s how it started and the toll so far
The conflict is in its third year, with the latest ceasefire talks going nowhere. Meanwhile, aid is falling far short of what’s needed
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 2, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
nowtoronto.bsky.social
Children with sickle cell disease will have access to a dedicated clinic at SickKids thanks to The Prince Hall Family, and it will be named after a distinguished Ontario public servant. #SickKids #SickleCellDisease #PrinceHallFamily

nowtoronto.com/news/sickkid...
SickKids is opening first-of-its-kind sickle cell clinic in Canada, and naming it after renowned Black community member - NOW Toronto
For the first time in Canada, children with sickle cell disease will have access to a dedicated clinic at SickKids — named in honour of a distinguished Ontario public servant.
nowtoronto.com
September 30, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
robb-barnes.bsky.social
At @cape-acme.bsky.social we're sometimes asked, Why don't doctors stay in their lane?

The answer: health is about more than health care.

Planetary health is public health, which is why the first National Day of Action on Planetary Health is happening Oct. 6.

healthydebate.ca/2025/10/topi...
Planetary health is public health - Healthy Debate
Ignoring planetary health would be a gross dereliction of duty by the public health profession.
healthydebate.ca
October 2, 2025 at 1:56 PM
sandrasmiley.bsky.social
Gaza doctors are starving while fighting to save lives, evacuated medic tells BBC
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Gaza doctors are starving while fighting to save lives, evacuated medic tells BBC - BBC News
Dr Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, who worked in hospitals in Gaza for two years, says Israeli strikes have made conditions "indescribable" for colleagues still there.
www.bbc.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
guyfelicella.bsky.social
My latest op ed 👇🏼

I almost spit out my coffee when I read the headline and premise of last week’s opinion column by Marshall Smith, the former chief of staff to the premier of Alberta: “Banning public drug use is bold, courageous and obvious.”

calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
Opinion: Criminalizing drug use won't solve addiction
It’s easy to cheer for more enforcement against drug users and for abandoning them to deadly consequences if they don’t comply.
calgaryherald.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:01 PM
sandrasmiley.bsky.social
“It’s very clear. Give people money for food. When people have money, they use it for food.”

Centre in Iqaluit says territory is in a food crisis
via @aptnnews.bsky.social
www.aptnnews.ca/national-new...
Centre in Iqaluit says territory is in a food ‘crisis’
Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre and Arctic Youth and Child Foundation in Iqaluit say territory is in a food ‘crisis’
www.aptnnews.ca
October 1, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
vivredignite.bsky.social
« Le père des soins palliatifs, le Dr Balfour Mount, n’est plus »

Article @cdnpress.bsky.social @katrinedesautels.bsky.social (FR + EN)

Témoignages du Dr Patrick Vinay @vivredignite.bsky.social & @jstnsndrs.bsky.social @caremcgill.bsky.social
www.lapresse.ca/actualites/s...

#RIPBalfourMount 1/
October 1, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
theguardian.com
‘Will my baby be born in a tent? Will it have food?’: what it’s like to be pregnant in Gaza
‘Will my baby be born in a tent? Will it have food?’: what it’s like to be pregnant in Gaza
The World Health Organization has warned that more than 40% of pregnant women in the Gaza Strip are malnourished. Here, Nour Ziad al-Batsh, who is expecting her third child in March, describes her daily struggle to find food and healthcare
www.theguardian.com
October 1, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
thewalrus.ca
For Eva Jewell, the public and political indifference to the dignity of Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people is rooted in a specific problem: Canadian exceptionalism that touts progressive feminist politics except if you’re Indigenous. thewalrus.ca/trc-gender/
September 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
sandrasmiley.bsky.social
Today, I’m revisiting my convo with the wonderful Derek K. Thompson – Čaabať Bookwilla | Suhiltun, Director of Indigenous Engagement @ubcmedicine.bsky.social.

In it, Derek shares reflections on Truth & Reconciliation, & the part that medical learners can play in moving the process forward. 🍁🧡🩺
September 30, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
canadahealthwatch.ca
Another Ottawa supervised consumption site faces closure as province withholds support https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/another-ottawa-supervised-consumption-site-faces-closure-as-province-withholds-support-1.7646739

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca/newsletter
The Ottawa Public Health supervised consumption site is seen upon its opening in 2017.
September 30, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
mehlerpaperny.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
For volunteer paramedics in Gaza, every lost second can mean a lost life
The ambulance has become an extension of Mohammed Hosni, who rarely rests or sees his family
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 30, 2025 at 7:52 PM
sandrasmiley.bsky.social
Doctors renew calls for overdose prevention with 'pop-up' sites at Vancouver Island hospitals
via CBC News
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Doctors renew calls for overdose prevention with 'pop-up' sites at Vancouver Island hospitals | CBC News
A group of physicians on Vancouver Island have rekindled their advocacy for overdose prevention sites in health-care settings by creating their own unsanctioned sites outside of major hospitals in Vic...
www.cbc.ca
September 30, 2025 at 8:34 PM
sandrasmiley.bsky.social
Indigenous surgeon draws on lessons from her mother to make history
via @kkirkup.bsky.social @theglobeandmail.com
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Indigenous surgeon draws on lessons from her mother to make history
Nadine Caron is working to advance health equity in Indigenous patients
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 30, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
canadahealthwatch.ca
B.C. is expanding its involuntary care program. What does the treatment involve? https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/involuntary-care-treatment-bc-1.7553745

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁
Involuntary care was put in the spotlight last fall during the provincial election campaign when Premier David Eby announced plans to expand that type of care for people with addiction.
September 30, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
msf.ca
Last night, Al-Helou hospital in #Gaza City, supported by MSF, sustained severe collateral damage from nearby attacks. This came despite multiple assurances from Israeli forces that the hospital was not in danger.
September 29, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
cheknews.ca
Doctors for Safer Drug Policy installed two overdose prevention sites near Royal Jubilee Hospital and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital over the weekend.
Unsanctioned overdose prevention sites open again in Victoria, Nanaimo
Doctors for Safer Drug Policy installed two overdose prevention sites near Royal Jubilee Hospital and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital over the weekend.
cheknews.ca
September 29, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
uviccisur.bsky.social
"Liver harm caused by alcohol is a public health problem. Collectively, we need to take better care of our livers by taking steps to reduce alcohol consumption in the population."
CISUR's Tim Naimi in @ca.theconversation.com #alcoholpolicy #alcoholresearch
September 29, 2025 at 8:25 PM
sandrasmiley.bsky.social
“Our clinics are encircled … we have been left with no choice”

Palestine: MSF forced to suspend activities amid intensified Israeli offensive in Gaza City
via @msf.ca

www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/palestine-ms...
Palestine: MSF forced to suspend activities amid intensified Israeli offensive in Gaza City | Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF ...
The relentless Israeli offensive in Gaza City has forced Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to suspend essential medical activities in the area due to the rapidly deteriorating sec...
www.doctorswithoutborders.ca
September 26, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Reposted by Sandra Smiley (she/her)
intlpresident.msf.org
The Global Sumud Flotilla on its way to Gaza is an act of protest and a show of support for Palestinians enduring annihilation through Israel’s genocide.

I’m wishing the flotilla success. At @msf.org, we support this action of solidarity and humanity.
September 16, 2025 at 11:16 AM