St. Michael’s researcher named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40

By Skaidra Puodziunas

St. Michael’s physician and researcher Dr. Nav Persaud has been named a recipient of the prestigious Canada’s Top 40 Under 40® award.

The national program celebrates excellence in Canadian leadership and honours Canadians who have achieved great success before the age of 40.

“I am definitely one of the most fortunate people in Canada because of support from my colleagues, friends and family,” Dr. Persaud said. “I’m proud to serve the St. Michael’s community as part of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, the Centre for Urban Health Solutions and the Department of Family and Community Medicine.”

Dr. Persaud and his peers were selected from approximately 900 nominations by an independent advisory board comprised of more than 20 business and community leaders from across Canada. Honourees were chosen based on five key criteria: vision and leadership, innovation, achievement and impact, growth-development strategy, and social responsibility.

Dr. Persaud joins three previous St. Michael’s Top 40 award recipients: Dr. Muhammad Mamdani (2011), Dr. Subodh Verma (2010) and Dr. Prabhat Jha (2003).

“Dr. Persaud is a first-class physician, researcher and academic who has been an effective and tireless advocate to improve the health of disadvantaged communities and individuals,” said St. Michael’s CEO Dr. Bob Howard. “He has successfully pushed Health Canada to become more transparent about releasing research data and is conducting studies of pharmacare that will influence policymakers and improve the lives of Canadians, especially the disadvantaged.”

Dr. Persaud, 36, is both a staff physician in the hospital’s Department of Family and Community Medicine and an associate scientist with the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s. His research focuses on enhancing the ability of primary care to address health inequities through the development and application of high-quality evidence.

He leads a randomized clinical trial of 786 people who have difficulty affording their medications and comparing the health outcomes of those who receive a short list of medications for free and those who receive usual care. He is on the Ontario government’s Committee to Evaluate Drugs.

Dr. Persaud is also an assistant professor at the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto and an associate editor for the Canadian Medical Association Journal. He has a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Toronto, a master of neuroscience from the University of Oxford, and earned a degree in psychology and philosophy at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.

Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, now in its 22nd year, is managed by founding sponsor, The Caldwell Partners International. Other national sponsors include MNP LLP, Gluskin Sheff, National Post and WestJet.

About St. Michael’s Hospital

St. Michael’s Hospital provides compassionate care to all who enter its doors. The hospital also provides outstanding medical education to future health care professionals in more than 29 academic disciplines. Critical care and trauma, heart disease, neurosurgery, diabetes, cancer care, and care of the homeless are among the Hospital’s recognized areas of expertise. Through the Keenan Research Centre and the Li Ka Shing International Healthcare Education Center, which make up the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, research and education at St. Michael’s Hospital are recognized and make an impact around the world. Founded in 1892, the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.