Healthy People, Healthy Planet

An interprofessional collaboration of faculty members and learners committed to advancing the principles of the Okanagan Charter, Lifestyle Medicine, and Planetary Health.

This virtual series will take place over the 2025-26 academic year, and is designed for faculty, staff, and learners in the Queen’s community. This inspiring series explores how our daily choices impact both personal wellbeing and the health of our planet, highlighting the powerful connection between lifestyle medicine and planetary health.

Everyone is invited to register for one or all of these free virtual presentations featuring internationally renowned experts who will share insights on how we can all thrive—together. This series is accredited by Queen's University for CFPC MainPro and Royal College MOC credits and provides an e-certificate of completion for all attendees.

February 24, 2026 | 12:00 to 1:00pm ET

The Profound Influence of Lifestyle on Brain Health
Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai

Dr. Dean Sherzai, MD, PhD, MPH, MAS

Dr. Dean Sherzai is a behavioral neurologist / neuroscientist whose entire life has been dedicated to behavioral change models at the community and population level. Dr. Sherzai finished his medical and neurology residencies at Georgetown University, with a subsequent fellowship in neurodegenerative diseases at the National Institutes of Health, followed by a second fellowship in Dementia and Geriatrics at the University of California, San Diego. He also holds two master’s degrees in Advanced Sciences at UCSD and in Epidemiology from Loma Linda University. He has received a PhD in Healthcare leadership focused on community empowerment from Loma Linda/Andrews University. Finally, he completed the executive leadership program at Harvard Business School. His vision has always been to revolutionize healthcare by empowering communities to take control of their own health.

Dr Ayesha Z. Sherzai MD, MAS

Dr. Ayesha Z. Sherzai is a vascular neurologist and a research scientist. After completing her residency, she completed a fellowship in vascular neurology and Epidemiology at Columbia University Neurological Institute of New York. Dr. Sherzai is at the tail end of a master’s degree in public health in lifestyle epidemiology from Loma Linda University. Knowing the importance of empowering her patients, and their communities, she completed an extensive culinary training program in New York and now teaches large populations how to make tasty, easy, and healthy meals for their brain health.

They are the authors of two best-selling books, The Alzheimer's Solution (2017, HarperCollins) and The 30 day Alzheimer's Solution (2021, HarperCollins). They are currently leading the largest community-based brain health initiative in the country

Objectives:

By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:

Describe how lifestyle factors influence brain structure, function, and resilience across the lifespan, with implications for cognition, emotional health, and neurodegenerative risk.
Identify the lifestyle behaviours with the strongest evidence for supporting brain health, and understand the key biological pathways through which they exert their effects.
Translate scientific evidence into practical, sustainable actions that support brain health at the individual and population level.

April 20, 2026 | 12:00 to 1:00pm ET

A Healthy Response to Climate Change

Dr. Courtney Howard, MD, MPP, CCFP-EM

Dr Courtney Howard is an Emergency Physician in Yellowknives Dene Territory in the Canadian subarctic and a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Calgary. The Chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance and first woman president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, she is on the Editorial Advisory Boards of the Lancet Planetary Health and the Journal of Climate Change and Health. During her Master of Public Policy studies at Oxford University she focused on using a planetary health lens to explore transitions to an economy centred around wellbeing. She has two young daughters and loves to dance.

At the end of this talk, participants will:

Describe the planetary health frame and how it relates to health and health systems.(scholar, professional)
Anticipate and manage the major threats posed by climate change to health and health systems. (leader, professional)
Describe priority action items to protect planetary health now and into the future. (leader, scholar, advocate, professional, communicator)

At the end of this talk, participants will:

Discuss the cultural myths that create unrealistic expectations about what promotes human thriving.
Identify the unique advantages of longitudinal research for studying adult lifespan development.
Assess the primary mechanisms thought to underlie the connection between interpersonal functioning and mental and physical health

Recording of Past Session - Monday, January 12, 2026

What Actually Keeps Us Happy and Healthy?:
Lessons from an 87-Year Study of Human Life

Dr. Robert Waldinger, MD

Robert Waldinger is Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and directs the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest studies of adult life ever done. The Study has tracked 724 families for over 85 years to understand how childhood experience reaches across decades to affect health and wellbeing in adulthood.  His TED talk about the Harvard Study has over 50 million views. With his colleague Marc Schulz, he recently published the book, The Good Life, which examines the central role of relationships in shaping our lives. He directs a teaching program in psychodynamic psychotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital, and he writes about what science can teach us about healthy human development. He is also a Zen master (Roshi) and teaches meditation in the US and internationally.

February 3, 2026 | 12:00 to 1:00pm ET

Cardiovascular Risk and Evidence-Based Nutrition

Dr. Kim Williams

Dr. Williams is Chairman of Medicine at the University of Louisville. He specializes in general cardiology, preventive cardiology and cardiovascular radiology. He is a past president of the American College of Cardiology and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, and former Chairman of the Board of the Association of Black Cardiologists. As chief of cardiology, he founded the Urban Cardiology Initiative at Wayne State University. He also started the H.E.A.R.T. program (Helping Everyone Assess Risk Today) at Rush University, screening for heart disease and intervening with education, nutrition and lifestyle improvement; and with his move to the University of Louisville, he established a similar HEART program (Helping Everyone Address Risk Today).

At the end of this talk, participants will:

Describe the impact of poor dietary patterns on cardiovascular disease burden in the United States and Western culture, including disparities in prevalence, cost, and mortality.
Review the evidence supporting improving nutrition in the prevention and management of cardiometabolic risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, inflammation, and ASCVD events.
Identify key individual, cultural, systemic, and industry-driven barriers to widespread adoption of optimal nutrition practices, including misinformation, access, taste preferences, and marketing influences.
Evaluate recent policy shifts and targeted interventions—such as draft 2025 Dietary Guidelines and community-based nutrition trials—that aim to reduce cardiovascular disparities and promote plant-forward dietary approaches.

February 24, 2026 | 12:00 to 1:00 pm ET | Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai

Details coming soon - Register now to save your spot.

April 20, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET | Dr. Courtney Howard

A Healthy Response to Climate Change
Dr. Courtney Howard, MD, MPP, CCFP-EM

Learning Objectives

Describe the planetary health frame and how it relates to health and health systems.(scholar, professional)
Anticipate and manage the major threats posed by climate change to health and health systems. (leader, professional)
Describe priority action items to protect planetary health now and into the future. (leader, scholar, advocate, professional, communicator)

About Us

The Healthy People, Healthy Planet Working Group within the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s University is a recently established interprofessional collaboration of faculty members and learners committed to advancing the principles of the Okanagan Charter, Lifestyle Medicine, and Planetary Health.

Recognizing the interconnectedness of individual, community, and planetary well-being, the Working Group brings together diverse perspectives to promote health across all dimensions of life. Through education, research, and collaborative initiatives, we aim to advance knowledge, foster sustainable practices, and support lifestyle interventions that enhance overall health and quality of life. Our shared goal is to promote optimal well-being for people and the planet alike.

Foundations and Focus Areas

The Okanagan Charter

In 2019, Queen’s University adopted the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting Universities, joining a global movement to embed health and well-being into all aspects of post-secondary education. In 2022, the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) also endorsed the Charter, further reinforcing its vision to transform the health and sustainability of our campuses, communities, and societies.

The Charter outlines two key calls to action for higher education institutions:

Embed health into all aspects of campus culture—including administration, operations, and academic life.
Lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally.

These principles guide our efforts to create environments that promote health, sustainability, and well-being at Queen’s and beyond.

Reference: Okanagan Charter – An International Charter for Health Promoting Universities (2015)

Lifestyle Medicine

Lifestyle Medicine is an evidence-based medical specialty that uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions as a primary approach to both prevention and treatment. It is grounded in six foundational pillars:

By integrating these elements into healthcare and daily living, Lifestyle Medicine provides a sustainable framework for reducing the burden of chronic disease, improving quality of life, and fostering long-term well-being.

Reference: American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Planetary Health

Planetary Health examines the relationship between human health and the health of the Earth’s natural systems. It addresses the growing human health impacts of environmental changes—such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—while advancing solutions that enable both humanity and the planet to thrive.

By emphasizing the interconnectedness of human and ecological systems, Planetary Health reframes health promotion as a shared responsibility that extends beyond individuals to include the environments in which we live, work, and learn. The Healthy People, Healthy Planet Working Group embraces this integrated perspective as essential to creating a sustainable and healthy future.

Our Mission

The mission of the Healthy People, Healthy Planet Working Group is to foster a culture of health promotion and sustainability within the Faculty of Health Sciences and the broader Queen’s University community. We strive to integrate the principles of the Okanagan Charter, Lifestyle Medicine, and Planetary Health into education, research, and practice.

Through collaboration, innovation, and leadership, we seek to:

Promote evidence-informed lifestyle and planetary health initiatives,
Inspire transformative learning experiences for students and faculty, and

Contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for individuals, communities, and the planet.

Parnika
Sakthivel

Academic Enrichment Program Series & Interprofessional Interest Group Lunch & Learn

The program will feature evidence-based, self-directed modules (adapted for the Canadian context) on the pillars of lifestyle medicine, followed by a series of interdisciplinary in-person sessions and will culminate with a real-world application project. The program will equip students to integrate lifestyle medicine principles, such as nutrition, physical activity, and sleep, into clinical practice. Open to all QHS students, faculty, and staff.

Attending the sessions will count toward the Academic Enrichment Program’s formal training requirement for medical students.

For a detailed explanation of the AEP requirements, please click here.

Session dates and topics

Sleep as a Restorative Force: Why We Sleep -- Dr. Sussan Askari
- March 25, 2026 | 12:30-1:30 pm ET
- 15 Arch St. Rm 032A in-person and virtually

Living with Intention: Curating a Non-Toxic Lifestyle
- Date TBC | 12:30-1:30 pm
- 15 Arch St. Rm 032A in-person and virtually

Program objectives

Discuss how the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine relate to improved health outcomes for patients
Discuss the lifestyle pillars that are included as first-line or adjunctive interventions in chronic disease management guidelines (e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer).
Explain the connection between lifestyle medicine and planetary health
Identify how planetary health issues affect human health and identify tangible strategies to reduce the health system’s carbon footprint and to help patients mitigate the harms of climate change on their health.
Identify lifestyle medicine strategies for personal and colleague wellness in a healthcare career.

Past Sessions

The Benefits of Plant-Forward Nutrition for Health & The Planet
- Dec 2, 2025 | 12:30-1:30 pm ET
- 15 Arch St. Rm 032A in-person and virtually

Prescription for Vitality: Exercise as Medicine
- Jan 13, 2026 | 12:30-1:30 pm ET
- 15 Arch St. Rm 032A in-person and virtually

The Power of Love: Cultivating Social Connection - Dr. Leslie Flynn
- Feb 6, 2026 | 12:30-1:30 pm ET
- 15 Arch St. Rm 021 in-person and virtually
- Description: A healthy lifestyle is a social lifestyle. This session will outline the vital link between social connection and health outcomes. We will consider the barriers to being socially connected and the adverse health effects of social isolation. We will also explore strategies to develop social connection.

Dec. 2, 2025: The Benefits of Plant-Forward Nutrition for Health & The Planet

Watch the Recording

Presenters:

Maria E. Theodorou, MD PhD FRCPC, ABLM, ABOM (IM, Lifestyle Medicine, Obesity Medicine)
Henry Swoboda, MD DABEM DABPM, ABLM (Emergency Medicine)
Avery Zenker, RD

Objectives:

Discuss mechanisms for nutrition in the prevention and reversal of chronic disease.
Describe planetary implications of various dietary patterns.
Describe ‘healthy plate’ & strategies to address cultural & personal preferences, and accessibility

Kingston

Walk with a Doc offers free walking programs in communities around the world led by local doctors, healthcare providers, and medical students. These ongoing events allow participants to safely walk (or roll), learn about current health topics, and meet new people. Please join us on the 3rd Saturday of every month for Walk With A Doc Kingston! We meet at 9:30 AM at Doug Fluher Park (or at our indoor/blizzard location noted on the website and facebook), have a brief health related talk, and then walk 2km (round trip) along the Cataraqui River, with places to sit and rest if needed.

https://walkwithadoc.org/join-a-walk/locations/kingston-ontario/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1446327389719313/

Resources

American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) - members can join Canadian Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group
Canadian Physicians for the Environment (CAPE)
Plant Based Canada
Canada’s Food Guide
Eat Lancet
Plantrician Project
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Okanagan Charter
Lifestyle Medicine Education (Modules on all 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine)
Plant Based Data
Culinary Medicine
350 Kingston
Queen’s PGME Planetary Health Subcommittee
Kingston Climate Justice Coalition
UK Plant Based Health Professionals
Parks Prescription

Contact Us

For questions or to learn how to lend your voice to our various initiatives, please contact us at: healthypeoplehealthyplanet@queensu.ca