Mei Wen

Mei is a resident doctor completing her Family Medicine training at St. Paul’s Hospital at University of British Columbia. She is an East Coast transplant (now converted West Coaster) having completed her Bachelor of Medical Science and Master of Public Health at Western University and subsequently Doctor of Medicine and Master of System Leadership Innovation at University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine.

Growing up in a vibrant immigrant neighbourhood of Toronto, she witnessed first hand the impact that poverty and impacts of structural racism has on individuals. Whether it was volunteering at homeless youth shelters or organizing art shows for medical alumni at the university, she saw that we are all connected through the experience of being human despite our socioeconomic background. She is passionate about using art – painting, writing, poetry and narrative medicine – in addressing both social inequities as well as healthcare provider wellness.

Mei is currently working to create and expand Narrative Medicine workshops for resident doctors training in British Columbia. She is excited to be part of Health Arts Research Centre and learn from the team to connect arts and humanities to medicine and health for all. She hopes that through art and storytelling, we are able to see marginalized and stigmatized groups as no different than anyone else and to develop compassion towards others and oneself.