Joanne Liu

Commissioner

Canadian practicing paediatric emergency physician at University of Montreal and professor at McGill University’s School of Population & Global Health

Dr. Liu, a veteran humanitarian aid worker, is a Canadian practicing paediatric emergency physician at University of Montreal and professor at McGill University’s School of Population & Global Health where she focuses on pandemic and health emergencies at the Pandemics and Health Emergency Readiness Lab (PERL). Prior to joining McGill, Dr. Liu began her career with Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in 1996 and went on to serve as the International President of MSF for over six years from 2013-2019.  Through her leadership, she spearheaded the emergency responses to humanitarian and health emergencies including outbreaks/epidemics in West (Ebola 2014-2016) and Central Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, South East Asia, Caribbean & Central America. She was a leading voice in condemning attacks on medical mission which led to the UNSC resolution 2286. 

Dr. Liu graduated from the McGill University School of Medicine in Montreal in 1991 and did her pediatric specialty training at University of Montreal. She holds a Fellowship in Paediatric Emergency Medicine from New York University School of Medicine as well as an International Master’s in Health Leadership, also from McGill University. She is the chair of the Humanitarian Dialogue Center.