UBC Health is excited to announce the appointment of three new directors who bring a wealth of expertise and passion to their roles. These leaders will advance UBC Health’s mission to foster collaboration across disciplines, support collaborative health education and research, and address pressing health challenges through UBC Health’s programs and initiatives.

See their bios below. Additionally, we asked each of the directors the question: What is one book, movie, or TV show that has influenced how you think about leadership and collaboration? Their responses are captured under each of their bios below.

Kelly Allison - Director, Education

Kelly Allison, MSW, RSW, is an Assistant Professor with the UBC School of Social Work and Chair of the School’s Field Education Program. She holds a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University with a clinical concentration in individuals, families and groups. Her educational leadership has been the advancement of collaborative interprofessional health education. In her new role, Kelly will build on existing strengths in interprofessional education activities at UBC and guide the development of innovation in collaborative health education, including ongoing renewal of our Integrated Curriculum initiative, innovations in practice-based interprofessional education and contribute to the development of team-based models of education for the UBC Gateway to Team-based Care clinic.

What has influenced how you think about leadership and collaboration?

Response: There are so many books and authors who have influenced how I think about leadership and collaboration, but if I had to pick just one, I would choose Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead. I very much believe that leadership is about developing relationships, building trust and creating a values-driven environment where people thrive and can contribute their unique strengths.  I wholeheartedly believe that if we show up with each other authentically and honestly, our teams will be more capable of handling challenges, recovering from setbacks and developing resilience to continue to strive toward our shared goal. 

Naznin Virji-Babul - Director, Interdisciplinary Research

Naznin Virji-Babul, P.T., PhD, is a Physical Therapist, Neuroscientist, and Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at UBC's Faculty of Medicine. She works closely with researchers, university units, and health and community partners to address complex societal health challenges using a holistic approach. Naznin is deeply committed to fostering equitable relationships, embracing diverse perspectives, and promoting innovative, collaborative practices across UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. As the Director of Interdisciplinary Research at UBC Health, she will lead efforts to advance interdisciplinary health research collaborations, support implementation science, and contribute to building a learning health system.

What has influenced how you think about leadership and collaboration?

Response: Traditional narratives of leadership as portrayed or discussed in books, movies and TV often center on perspectives shaped by male leaders and often overlook the unique perspectives of women, particularly women of colour.  Women often experience leadership very differently from men and women leaders are often perceived differently from men. As more and more women are stepping into leadership roles and serving as powerful role models, I have learned a great deal by observing and engaging with strong, compassionate women leaders such as Moura Quayle, Dee Dee Sung and Mehmoona Moosa-Mitha.  These and other women have instilled in me that true leadership involves lifting communities, amplifying marginalized voices, and creating transformative change through creativity and shared vision.

Devin Harris - Director, Health Systems

Devin Harris, MD, MHSc is Clinical Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, having completed medical school, residency and post-graduate training at UBC Vancouver. He holds the position of Council Chair at Health Quality B.C. and is an Executive Medical Director in Interior Health. As the Director of Health Systems, Devin will work to connect organizations, people and the public. His existing relationships across the Regional Health Authorities, the Ministry of Health, Health Quality B.C., UBC Okanagan and other governmental and non-governmental organizations will assist in bridging silos and moving UBC Health towards the vision of better health together.

What has influenced how you think about leadership and collaboration?

Response: I'm going to name three books: 

• Drive – This book helped me think differently about what motivates us and the concepts of autonomy, mastery and purpose.  As a leader, it was enlightening and inspiring and helps me to shape environments that enable individuals and teams to achieve success.
• The Fearless Organization – This book looked at how a psychologically safe organization supports patient safety and a culture of improvement. The critical piece is leadership; leaders that are approachable, just, fair, thoughtful, and provide safe spaces and foster a speak-up culture.  This is incredibly relevant to patient safety and a culture of improvement in healthcare.
• The Connected Community – This book shifted my perspective on engagement with communities from a perspective of strength – asset-based – not deficits.  There is strength in relationships and communities that can be identified, fostered, scaled, and spread. We need to identify strengths in communities, and support those, to enable better health.

Visit this page to find out more about the new directors and the UBC Health team working to advance our shared vision outlined in the inaugural UBC Health Strategic Plan.