UAlberta bariatric researcher first-ever occupational therapist to lead Obesity Canada
Amanda Anderson - 30 September 2020
“Whenever an occupational therapist is put into a leadership position outside of an obvious occupational therapy association or department, it is an opportunity to raise awareness about what the profession is all about and what we can contribute to the health and well-being of individuals, communities and society." - Mary Forhan
On September 29, Obesity Canada named their next scientific director—and she’s the first non-physician to be selected in the 15-year history of the organization.
Mary Forhan, associate professor and chair, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine will lead Obesity Canada officially for a two-year term starting in April 2021. Effective immediately, she starts her six-month transition period as scientific director-elect.
Forhan is the second scientific director to be named, taking over from physician Arya M. Sharma from the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. Sharma founded the organization 15 years ago and has held the leadership position since 2005.
“I am thrilled to be able to leverage my work in reducing weight bias and promoting best practices in obesity care by stepping into this new role,” said Forhan. “I’ve been with Obesity Canada since its inception and have grown along with it. I look forward to contributing to its future successes.”
One of the authors of the first chapter ever written by an occupational therapist in the new Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines, Forhan will look to improve the quality of life of people living with obesity during her leadership term at Obesity Canada.
In her role as a researcher, Forhan aims to provide evidence-based rehabilitation for patients with multiple chronic health conditions, such as obesity, and to improve access to health care by reducing weight bias and discrimination. Her research is also focused on addressing institutional and social barriers that restrict access to engagement in life roles for people living with obesity.
“Obesity Canada has an international reputation that I hope to continue to develop,” said Forhan. “I’m excited to leverage opportunities to reduce the bias and stigma associated with obesity.”
Forhan also noted that since the announcement of her new position, there have been many questions posed about the role of occupational therapists and how they fit into different health fields, such as obesity and bariatric care.
“Whenever an occupational therapist is put into a leadership position outside of an obvious occupational therapy association or department, it is an opportunity to raise awareness about what the profession is all about and what we can contribute to the health and well-being of individuals, communities and society.
“Over the past 15 years, I have had the opportunity to raise awareness about occupational therapy through clinical work and research that I have led, which aims to address factors that contribute to disability that some individuals with obesity may experience.”
Sharma, a professor in the Department of Medicine, has no doubt that Forhan will be a great example of what occupational therapists can contribute to health care.
“Dr. Forhan has long been a passionate volunteer for Obesity Canada, from her days as a PhD student contributing to the original funding application that launched the organization, to organizing the first weight bias summit in Canada in 2011, and co-authoring the new Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs).
“She brings a unique perspective as an occupational therapist, highlighting that quality obesity care and policies require support from multiple disciplines and viewpoints that rely on scientific evidence to develop best practices. This will be critical to Obesity Canada’s work to make the new CPGs a standard of care in Canada.”