Professional
2022 Independent Practice License, Psychiatry Specialist, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
2017 Called to the Bar of Alberta (Law Society of Alberta)
2012 Called to the Bar of Ontario (Law Society of Ontario)
Education
2017-2022 College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Postgraduate Residency Physician in Psychiatry, University of Toronto
2017 MD, McMaster University
2011 Juris Doctor, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto
2007 Bachelor of Arts (Honours, First Class), Philosophy and French, University of Alberta
2003 National Theatre School of Canada, Montréal
Academic Awards and Achievements
2020 CAMH Emergency Dept. Masters of Interprofessional Collaboration (MICE) Award
2017 Valedictorian (Elected) Michael G. Degroote School of Medicine, McMaster University
2011 Valedictorian (Elected), University of Toronto Faculty of Law Class of 2011
2011 1st Place Team, Wilson Moot
2009 Second Place Oralist, Cassels Brock Moot
2004-2006 Jason Laing Scholarship, University of Alberta
2005 Roscoe Robinson Miller Scholarship, University of Alberta
2004 Best Cultural Performance, Western Canada Eritrean Festival, Saskatoon
2004 Roger S. Smith Undergraduate Student Researcher Award, University of Alberta
2003 Royettes Scholarship, National Theatre School of Canada
2000 Alexander Rutherford Scholarship, Govt. of Alberta
2000 Most Respected and Admired Graduate, Victoria School of Arts, Edmonton
2000 Outstanding Achievement in Acting, Victoria School of Arts, Edmonton
Forensic and Medico-Legal Experience
Forensic psychiatry experience as a psychiatry resident includes treatment of patients detained under the Ontario Review Board at a forensic facility, testifying at review board and Consent and Capacity Board Hearings, conducting NCR, fitness to stand trial, and mental health diversion assessments, and drafting associated reports.
Medico-legal experience includes conducting healthcare and financial capacity assessments, mental health assessments and report writing for refugee applications and Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds Applications at the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture, and safety assessments under the Mental Health Act of Ontario.
Work Experience
Present Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, and Lawyer
2017-2022 Resident physician in psychiatry, University of Toronto
Nov 2012-June 2014 Staff Lawyer, Criminal Duty Counsel, Legal Aid Ontario
July 2011-May 2012 Articling Student, Cavalluzzo Hayes Shilton McIntyre & Cornish LLP
May 2012 Legal research and writing, assistance with preparation of facts and evidence.
May- Summer Law Student, African Canadian Legal Clinic
August 2010 Conducting legal research, writing, and intakes, providing summary advice, attending human rights tribunal hearings and mediations.
May- Actor, “Homegrown”, Summerworks, Toronto
August 2010 Rehearsing and performing a lead role in a play about criminal justice.
April- Actor, “Out the Window”, Theatre Centre, Toronto
May 2010 Rehearsing and performing several roles in a play about criminal justice, police conduct, and mental health issues.
May- Caseworker, Downtown Legal Services, University of Toronto Faculty of Law
August 2009 Appeared in criminal courts on numerous occasions. Conducted pretrial negotiations, trial
preparation, sentencing submissions, peace bond matters, and a successful cross
examination of a Crown witness. Conducted negotiations with university discipline
counsel and officials on behalf of students, and appeared before an academic appeal
committee. Provided summary legal advice and conducted numerous intake interviews.
Summers 2004-
2006 Research Assistant, CRC Humanities Computing Studio, University Alberta Developed an online database of Eritrean/Ethiopian literature and art, conducted interviews, and translated folklore from Tigrinya and French to English. http://www.eritreanprintandoralculture.ca/
June 2003- Aug.2003 Lead Performer, “Twelfth Night”, CanStage Dream in High Park, Toronto
Performed a principal role in a Shakespearean play.
Publications
Sediqzadah S, Ghebrehariat L, Weersink KT, Fisman DN, Naidoo KA. Involuntary isolation: interpreting mental health legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Br J Psychiatry. 2021 Nov 219(5):575-577. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35048823/
Butt, H, Ghebrehariat L, Stephens G, “Resident doctors are humans, not heroes: It’s time to abolish 26-hour shifts,” Healthy Debate, February 12, 2021 https://healthydebate.ca/2021/02/topic/abolish-26-hour-shifts/
Research Projects and Presentations
“Narrative Psychiatry and Richard Rorty”, Research Elective Paper, February 2017
“The ‘Moral Adventure’ of Forensic Psychiatry in the Immigration Context”, Research Elective
Paper, November 2017
“Meaningful Work: The Politics and Philosophy of Workplace Mental Health”, December 2018 Grand
Rounds Presentation, University Health Network, Toronto
Extra-Curricular Activities and Community Involvement
Present Member of the Board of Directors of The Theatre Centre, Toronto
2016 Master of Ceremonies, Pegasus Conference Welcome Reception
Provided entertainment for a conference about peace, global health, and sustainable solutions.
2014 Writer, director, and performer of “Lwam is Eritrea’s Greatest Hockey Player”
Prepared and performed a solo stand up comedy show in the 2014 Toronto Fringe Festival.
2013 Volunteer, Ontario Justice Education Network, Toronto
Mentored and tutored high school students in preparation for a mock trail before a
Superior Court Judge.
2008-2011 Member and volunteer, Black Law Student’s Association, University of Toronto
Volunteer and division leader, Downtown Legal Services, University of Toronto
Volunteer, Artist’s Legal Advice Services
Organizer, Theatre Workshop for LAWS annual conference (2009, 2010, and 2011)
January 2010 Co-organizer, “The Prime Minister, Prorogation, and Parliamentary Democracy” a panel at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law
March 2009 Panel Member, “See Yourself Here”, Black Law Students Association
Aug. 2007 Voice-Over Performance, “White Mice”, by Darren O’Donnell/Directed by Ryan Hughes, Edmonton Fringe Festival
Mar. 2005-
May 2007 Volunteer and Contributor, “Blood Ink” student literary journal, University of Alberta
Apr.2005-
Apr.2006 General Secretary, Kamit African Caribbean Society (KACS), University of Alberta
Mar. 2006Master of Ceremonies, “Ribbon Rouge”(fundraiser for Stephen Lewis AIDS Foundation), University of Alberta
Feb. 2006 Co-host of “Floetry”, an open-mic spoken word event, University of Alberta
Director, “Riot”, by Andrew Moodie, a staged theatrical reading, University of Alberta
Oct. 2005 Tutor, Student’s for Literacy, University of Alberta
Educational Conference and Presentation Experience
Mar. 2010 and
Spring 2009 Facilitator, Theatre of the Oppressed Workshop, Global Citizenship Conference, University of Toronto Faculty of Law
Mar. 2006 Panel Member, Anti-Racism Education Forum, sponsored by Council of Canadians of African and Caribbean Heritage (CCACH) and Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations (NAARR) , University of Alberta
Feb. 2006 Panel Member, “Get Smart or Die Slavin’” (discussion on the portrayal of blacks in the mass media), CJSR
Jan. 2006 Presented a paper entitled “Peter Singer and Affirmative Action”, 2006 Prairie Provinces Undergraduate Philosophy Association (PPUPA), University of Alberta
Nov. 2005 Presented a paper entitled “My Edmonton Education”, One Vision – Many Voices: Cross-Cultural/Anti-Racism Education Conference, University of Alberta
Oct. 2005 “Eritrean Print and Oral Culture”, Faculty of Arts Visiting Committee, University of Alberta
Aug. 2004 “The Monk and the Devil: An Eritrean Folktale”, Western Canada Eritrean Festival, Saskatoon
Other Skills and Interests
Conversant in French and Tigrinya. Acting/Fitness/Djembe/Stand up comedy
References available upon request