Dr. Shafi Bhuiyan

PhD,MBBS,MPH,MBA

University Professor, Global Public Health Expert, Graduate Program Administrator, Public Health Professionals & IEHPs Professional Mentor, Board of Directors/Chair and Relationship Builder.

Dr. Shafi Bhuiyan is an award-winning global public health leader with extensive international expertise. Serving as an Associate Professor at the University of Memphis and a status faculty member at the University of Toronto, he co-developed innovative programs for Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) and Internationally Trained Physicians (ITPs) at universities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Canada.

Dr. Bhuiyan is a pioneer in maternal and child health initiatives, including the MCH Handbook program implemented across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Dr. Bhuiyan has earned multiple advanced degrees in public health. He has held key leadership roles in academic, professional, and community service, receiving numerous accolades for his impactful contributions to education, humanitarian efforts, and addressing societal needs.

Profile Highlights

Dr. Shafi Bhuiyan Ph.D.

Associate Professor & Graduate Program Coordinator, Division of Social Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Memphis, TN, USA

Faculty Member, Associate Professor [Status], University of Toronto

Educational Background:

PhD, MBBS, MPH, MBA

Contributions to Education & Training:

Co-creator MScCH Program for ITPs at U of T; Co-founder of innovative programs for Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) and Internationally Trained Physicians (ITPs)

Areas of Focus:

Maternal health initiatives in the USA, Canada, and Bangladesh

Public health education and leadership program development

Achievements & Recognition:

Held multiple leadership positions in healthcare and education

Professional leadership: Former Board Chair, Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research [CCGHR] and Board of Directors, Canadian Association of Global Health [CAGH], and outgoing Canadian representative [non-voting] at Consortium of Universities for Global Health [CUGH]

Received several accolades, awards, and recognitions for contributions to humanitarian efforts and global health services.

Key Focus Area

Strengthening Health Systems

Strengthening Health Systems – A Global Imperative

Health Professionals

Capacity Building for Health Professionals – The Backbone of Stronger Health Systems

Empowerment of Women

Empowerment of Women – A Catalyst for Change

Professional Mentorship

Dr. Shafi Bhuiyan is renowned for his innovative approach to professional mentorship, particularly in global health, public health education, and leadership development. His mentorship strategy emphasizes the following key elements:

Collaborative Learning: Dr. Bhuiyan fosters an environment where mentees are encouraged to actively participate in problem-solving and decision-making actively, promoting shared learning and mutual growth.
Tailored Guidance: He customizes his mentorship approach to meet each mentee’s unique needs and goals, helping them align their career aspirations with real-world opportunities.
Global Perspective: Leveraging his extensive international experience, Dr. Bhuiyan integrates cross-cultural insights to prepare mentees for leadership roles in diverse and globalized settings.
Empowerment and Capacity Building: His mentorship emphasizes skill development, confidence-building, and self-reliance, enabling mentees to take ownership of their professional journeys.
Ethical Leadership: Dr. Bhuiyan prioritizes instilling values of integrity, accountability, and social responsibility in mentees, preparing them to lead with purpose and impact.

This approach has made him a highly respected figure in mentoring professionals, particularly those who advance global and public health initiatives.

Academic Collaboration

Dr. Shafi Bhuiyan’s academic collaboration aims and objectives focus on fostering inclusive, innovative, and impactful partnerships in global health and public health education. The following principles guide his approach:

Aim

To build sustainable academic collaborations that advance knowledge, enhance capacity, and address global health challenges through education, research, and training.

Objectives

Knowledge Exchange: Facilitate sharing expertise, resources, and best practices between academic institutions and global health organizations.
Capacity Building: Strengthen institutional and individual capabilities in public health, leadership, and interdisciplinary research.
Global Impact: Address pressing global health issues by fostering partnerships that lead to innovative and actionable solutions.
Inclusivity: Promote equitable opportunities for underrepresented groups in academia and professional development.
Sustainability: Develop long-term collaborations that benefit partner institutions and communities.

Principle

Dr. Bhuiyan’s “collaborative empowerment” principle emphasizes mutual respect, shared ownership, and aligning goals among partners to achieve collective impact. This ensures ethical, culturally sensitive, and impactful outcomes in all collaborative efforts.

Global Health Research Collaboration

Dr. Shafi Bhuiyan is a distinguished leader in global health research, recognized for his efforts to address complex public health challenges through innovative collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches. The following key aspects define his leadership and collaboration in this field:

Research Leadership

Focus on Global Health Equity: Dr. Bhuiyan’s research aims to reduce health disparities by addressing social determinants of health and promoting access to healthcare in underserved communities.
Innovative Solutions: He prioritizes data-driven, scalable interventions that improve health outcomes in resource-limited settings.
Capacity Building: Through his work, Dr. Bhuiyan emphasizes developing research skills and leadership capacity, particularly among early-career professionals and underrepresented groups.

Collaboration Approach

Interdisciplinary Partnerships: Dr. Bhuiyan brings together experts from various fields—health, policy, technology, and education—to tackle global health challenges holistically.
Cross-Cultural Engagement: Leveraging his international experience, he fosters culturally sensitive collaborations that respect local contexts and empower local communities.
Sustainable Impact: His partnerships focus on creating long-term, sustainable solutions that align with global development goals, such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through his leadership, Dr. Bhuiyan has advanced impactful research initiatives, contributed to global health knowledge, and facilitated collaborations that address critical issues worldwide.

Recent Activities

Dr. Shafi Bhuiyan, a dedicated member of Lions Clubs International, has held many leadership roles and is an inspiring figure for new members. As the founder of the Toronto Doctors International Lions Club, he combines his passion for service with his work as a University of Toronto professor, helping immigrant health practitioners qualify in Canada. Dr. Bhuiyan is also active on medical boards and has streamlined certification processes for internationally trained professionals. He’s a true leader in both his community and career.

Lion Tom Gordon

Past International Director (2017–2019) Lions Clubs International

Dr. Shafi Bhuiyan has built a movement to support internationally trained health professionals in Canada, demonstrating exceptional community-focused academic leadership. His work is vital to addressing Canada’s healthcare challenges. Shafi’s efforts have earned him immense gratitude and respect from those he supports. Beyond this, he plays key roles in global health leadership, connecting institutions and driving meaningful change. Shafi is not just an impressive leader but also a valued friend.

Dr. Peter Singer

Officer of the Order of Canada Board Member, Grand Challenges Canada Co-founder, University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics

Dr. Shafi is a motivated leader and co-founder of the IEHPs program at TMU and U of T. His passion for helping internationally trained physicians reach their maximum potential in Canadian healthcare is admirable!

Sophia Pagtakhan Wong

MD, MSc, CHE Manager, Ontario Health

Dr. Bhuiyan has been one of my best guides in Canada. He is not only my teacher and program director but also a dear mentor to whom I owe a lot and learned a lot. I was very happy when I received a call from him personally (which is such a nice gesture) saying I had been accepted into ITMD Cohort 4. It was one of the best things that happened to me in Canada. With the genuine help and skills gained at the ITMD Bridging Program, it was possible, alhamdulillah, to get into the residency training system in Canada. Again, my dear regards to you, Dr. Bhuiyan, and I hope to cross paths in the near future.

Wayel Zanjir

MBBS, FRCPC Nephrologist and General Internist, McGill University

I really enjoyed Dr. Shafi’s professional development course at TMU. He was patient, dedicated, and very engaging with the class during the course delivery. Also, he was a supportive mentor who provided very useful guidance to me when needed. I am inspired by his unwavering commitment to the success of immigrant health professionals in the transition process for Internationally Trained Doctors. He is well-liked and respected by many.

Catherine Allen-Ayodabo

MD Family Physician Clinical Researcher

I’ve had the privilege of working with Dr. Bhuiyan on speaking and consultation projects since we first met at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. He is a keen collaborator and idealist who is always seeking to bring a more positive vision to the world. Excellent at keeping in touch and advancing shared goals, and always open to ideas. I’ve always enjoyed our conversations and have learned much from Shafi. Thanks, my friend, for all you are doing for the causes you take on and study.

Dr. Lawrence Loh

MD MHSc FCPA PMD MHSc FCPA Physician Leader, Public Health Professor and Associate Editor, AJPM Focus, Fellow ( FCFP)hysician Leader, Public Health Professor and Associate Editor, AJPM Focus