In this episode, Dr. Tara Kiran travels to Vancouver, British Columbia, to visit the Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op Clinic — a clinic built by and for newcomer communities. Umbrella pairs physicians and nurse practitioners with cross-cultural health brokers who act as language and cultural interpreters, helping bridge gaps not just in communication, but in navigating the healthcare system itself. Tara tours the clinic with Naomi Armstrong, Director of Integrated Health Programs, and then sits down with Dr. Mei-Ling Weidmeyer, family physician and clinical lead. Together, they discuss Umbrella’s origins as a mobile clinic for migrant farm workers, its cooperative governance model, and how culturally safe, community-accountable primary care can have a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

Donate to UmbrellaUmbrella relies on donations from the public to continue offering services to newcomers–especially for those without insurance coverage. To donate to Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op, head to their website umbrellacoop.ca 

Research and programs mentioned in this episode

Learn about the OurCare Standard and how it was developed

Watch this 3-minute video about Umbrella

Read a research paper or short report on how Umbrella is integrating cross-cultural health brokers in primary care

Find out more about national efforts to bring cross-cultural health brokers to primary care

MAINPRO CREDITS: Family doctors can claim Mainpro Credits by completing a linking learning exercise. 

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Dr. Tara Kiran is a family physician and researcher who is passionate about building a stronger, more equitable primary care system in Canada. She practices at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto where she is also a scientist at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions. In 2022, Dr. Kiran launched OurCare, a national initiative to engage the public in shaping the future of primary care in Canada. You can learn more about Dr. Kiran’s research here: https://maphealth.ca/kiran/ 

Primary Focus receives financial support from the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s Foundation, and the Max Bell Foundation. Dr. Tara Kiran is supported as the Fidani Chair in Improvement and Innovation at the University of Toronto and a Scientist in the Departments of Family and Community Medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto.

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