Guest Speaker:  Friday, August 22, 2014 in the Upper Canada Room
 
With over 20 years of diverse experience in medical care, advocacy and
research, Marilyn McHarg is the President and CEO of Dignitas International, a medical and research organization dedicated to improving access to quality care and treatment for those with HIV/AIDS and related diseases in resource-limited settings.
 
Marilyn is a founding member of the Canadian section of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), one of the world’s foremost independent medical humanitarian organizations. Marilyn spent nine years with MSF in Africa from 1991 until 2000 working as a Field Nurse in Uganda, a Training Consultant and Medical Coordinator in Sudan, and a Medical Coordinator as well as Head of Mission in South Sudan and Liberia. Following this, Marilyn served as Operational Director for MSF in Holland and later as Director of Operations for MSF in Switzerland. She then spent six years as the Executive Director of MSF in Canada until July 2012.
 
Prior to joining MSF, Marilyn worked as a registered nurse at Women’s College Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, as well as a Research Assistant at St Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton and Queen’s University in Kingston.
 
Marilyn completed a Masters of Applied Science in Nursing at McGill University and an Honors Baccalaureate of Science in Life Sciences and Psychology at Queen’s University.  She holds certificates in tropical medicine, critical care, quality assurance and nursing audits. In recognition of her distinguished voluntary community service, Marilyn received the Alumni Humanitarian Award and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from Queen’s University. In 1996, Marilyn obtained her pilot’s license.