Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Educationcertificates
Policyandpracticeexperience
Academicpositions
Mediacoverage
Presentations
Awards
Publications
Languages
Certification
Timeline

Samadhi Mora Severino

Toronto,ON

Summary

Experienced emerging health equity & disability policy researcher with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

EDI-DI (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Indigenization) Advisor

CHILD-BRIGHT
09.2021 - Current
  • Collaboratively initiated the EDI-DI (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Indigenization) program initiative with CHILD BRIGHT, alongside Dr. Nomazulu Dlamini, Director of the EDI-DI program, and Wisdom Translator, Symbia Barnaby.
  • This program integrates training, research, knowledge mobilization, and citizen engagement components across phases 1 and 2 in the network.
  • Negotiated mutually beneficial contracts with partners, ensuring long-term collaboration and success.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and execute partnership strategies, leading to expanded market reach.
  • Co-created EDI-DI framework for the network
  • Developed library of EDI-DI resources (grey and academic literature)
  • Contributed to the development of a comprehensive EDI-DI strategic framework for the entire network
  • Played a key role in fostering partnerships with stakeholder organizations, both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous, to advance the goals of the initiative.
  • Co -developed grant and CHILD BRIGHT was successful in the attainment of $8.25 million dollars in research funding from CIHR and private donors through collaborative efforts to support Phase 2.
  • Partnered with external organizations to expand knowledge on DEI best practices, further enhancing internal programs'' effectiveness.
  • Provided guidance to managers on how to address team conflict arising from cultural differences, fostering a harmonious work environment.
  • Worked with Director of Operations and Coordinators in CHILD-BRIGHT to achieve compliance with organizational policies, providing clarifying information and recommending necessary changes.

Member

CHILD BRIGHT- Policy Hub
09.2019 - Current
  • Working on various children with disabilities policy initiatives
  • Co-facilitated an environmental scan of current supports across for Children with Disabilities in Canada.
  • Identified gaps in existing policies by reviewing national best practices and benchmarking against international standards.
  • Collaborated with policy hub members to gather data, identify issues, and propose evidence-based solutions.
  • Influenced policy changes at the international level at the United Nations for Children's Rights, submitted co-authored report.

Advisor

Vulnerable Persons Standards for Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada for People with Disabilities
01.2019 - Current
  • Advocating for eight safeguards for MAiD for People with Disabilities in Canada.
  • Planned, developed, and implemented strategies to convey information with key decision makers.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge on policy and evidence based research trends and regulations, ensuring accurate advice was provided to our committee.
  • Wrote op-ed in the Toronto star "Is medically assisted dying a choice if persons with disabilities aren’t given the necessary supports to live?"

Parent Advisor

CHILD BRIGHT- Strongest Families
04.2016 - Current
  • Provide insight and advise the research team as a parent to a child with severe cerebral palsy on how to parent a child with a disability. Strongest families is coaching-mentor online parenting program for parents with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities in Canada.
  • Applied ethical considerations throughout all stages of the research process, safeguarding participant welfare and data integrity.
  • Worked as member of integrated project team in highly collaborative work environment.
  • Actively participated in brainstorming sessions and provided feedback on documents aimed at generating ideas on how we could improve the parenting program and research.

Board Member

Public Health Ontario Research Ethics Board
07.2019 - 07.2021
  • Reviewing Ethics Protocols of various research applications submitted to Public Health Ontario.
  • Collaborating on the reviews of REB applications with all board members and Chair.
  • Contributed expert opinions on matters related to research ethics, policies, and guidelines, ensuring a reputation of integrity and professionalism in relation to research conducting on humans in Ontario.
  • Engaged with board members on key matters, maintaining transparency and trust among stakeholders.


Research Assistant

York University- School of Nursing
09.2018 - 03.2020
  • SSHRC funded project: Exploring Nursing Students with Disabilities and Nursing Clinical Instructors Experiences in the Clinical Placement Landscape, under the supervision of Dr. Iris Epstein
  • Conduct edSemi-Structured Interviews with nursing students with disabilities and clinical instructors with two post-secondary sites in Toronto
  • Conduct semi-structured interviews and gather data using art-based method through using diary as a data collection too with two post-secondary sites in Toronto
  • Coded qualitative data using Dedoose
  • Content Analysis, literature review, and policy review.
  • Applying geography of health and critical disability studies lenses.
  • Streamlined data management processes for increased efficiency and accuracy in research findings.
  • Contributed to the publication of research articles in peer-reviewed journals and presentation showcasing expertise.

Member of Technical Working Group

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
10.2017 - 12.2018
  • Co-developed a provincial standard program for self-directed funding for children with medical complexity in Ontario
  • In collaboration with different Local Health Integration Networks, pediatric hospitals, parents, and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Research Associate

York University - Centre for Research on Work and Disability Policy (CRWDP)
01.2017 - 04.2018
  • SSHRC funded project on Canada wide employment standards for hiring persons with disabilities, under the supervision of Dr. Marcia Rioux
  • Collaborate on creating working documents sent to Policy pod members
  • Literature Review, policy analysis, and policy writing
  • Trained and mentored junior researchers, fostering a collaborative work environment that promoted knowledge sharing.
  • Event planning for annual general meeting with pod members and stakeholders.
  • Managed complex databases to ensure accuracy and accessibility of critical information.
  • Gathered, arranged, and corrected research data to create representative graphs and charts highlighting results for presentations.
  • Authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed journal articles, establishing expertise in the field.
  • Spearheaded efforts towards publication and presentation of research findings, ensuring timely dissemination of the team''s contributions to the Ontario disability emploloyment sector.
  • Coordinated with external collaborators on joint projects, facilitating smoother interactions between parties involved.
  • Reviewed literature pertinent to ongoing projects regularly, maintaining an up-to-date knowledge base that informed future experimentation directions.

Research Assistant

York University Health Research Institute
09.2015 - 12.2017
  • SSHRC funded project on rights monitoring & violations of Indigenous Peoples with Disabilities: access to health care, social inclusion, employment, and education. Disability Rights Promotion International, “Expanding the Circle,” under the supervision of Dr. Marcia Rioux
  • Participated actively in regular meetings with fellow researchers to discuss project updates, challenges faced, and lessons learned during ongoing activities.
  • Coded data using NVivo and applied thematic analysis
  • Conduct literature review for reports
  • Event planning Indigenous Health Summit Event
  • Conducted literature reviews to support hypothesis development and identify gaps in existing knowledge.
  • Monitored project timelines, ensuring timely completion of tasks while maintaining high-quality output.
  • Collected research data through experimentation, surveys and leading focus groups.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative research methodologies and strategies.
  • Mixed-method Research Methodology & co-authored report.

Education

Ph.D. - Health Policy & Equity

York University, Toronto, ON
09.2026

Master of Arts - Critical Disability Studies

York University
10.2017

Thesis: ‘The supports exist - why can’t we access them?’: Unveiling the barriers in accessing home care services for the unpaid caregivers of children with medically complex needs in Ontario.


  • Conducted qualitative research employing semi-structured interviews, thematic analysis, and utilizing the Right-Based Framework (incorporating UN Rights of the Child and Rights of People with Disabilities)
  • Presented research findings to the Home Care Department within the Ministry of Health, resulting in policy reform enacted under the Home and Community Care Act.

Honours Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology

York University
08.2015

Specialized Honours Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy

York University
10.2014

Skills

  • Research abilities
  • Data Interpretation
  • Relationship Building
  • Strategic Planning
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Critical Thinking
  • Research reporting
  • Literature reviews
  • Research Ethics
  • Qualitative Research & Analysis
  • Policy analysis

Educationcertificates

  • Certificate in Family Engagement Research, CanChild & McMaster University, 2019
  • Partners in Research (PiR) Course, St. Mike’s Hospital and SPOR, 2018
  • Applied Introduction to SPSS v. 23, York University, 2016
  • Introduction to Statistical Analysis Software for Windows, York University, 2016
  • Business and Consulting, GMCA, York University, 2016
  • Professional Ethics, York University, 2014
  • Practical Ethics, York University, 2014

Policyandpracticeexperience

  • EDI-DI (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Indigenization) Advisor, CHILD-BRIGHT, 2021, 2022, The CHILD-BRIGHT Network is an innovative pan-Canadian network that aims to improve life outcomes for children with brain-based developmental disabilities and their families. Collaboratively initiated the EDI-DI initiative within CHILD BRIGHT, alongside Dr. Nomazulu Dlamini, Director of the EDI-DI program, and Wisdom Translator, Symbia Barnaby.
  • Advisor, Vulnerable Persons Standards for Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada for People with Disabilities, 2019, present, Advocating for eight safeguards for MAiD for People with Disabilities in Canada.
  • Member, CHILD BRIGHT- Policy Hub, 2019, present, Working on various children with disabilities policy initiatives, including environmental scan of current supports across Canada for Children with Disabilities and co-authoring a report submitted to United Nations for Children’s Rights.
  • Board Member, Public Health Ontario Research Ethics Board, 2019, 2021, Reviewing Ethics Protocols and collaborating on the reviews of REB applications with all board members and Chair.
  • Parent Advisor, CHILD BRIGHT- Strongest Families, 2016, present, Provide insight and advise the research team as a parent to a child with severe cerebral palsy to parenting programs for children with disabilities.
  • Member of Technical Working Group, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, 2017, 2018, Co-developed a provincial standard program for self-directed funding for children with medical complexity in Ontario in collaboration with different Local Health Integration Networks, pediatric hospitals, parents, and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
  • Health Services Advocate & Consultant, 2014, present, Provide support, information, and advocacy with parents of children with disabilities navigating the Ontario Health care system and accessing home care supports. Strengthen communication between health care providers and families. Review policies/research and provide feedback. Co-create equitable policies with MOHLTC.

Academicpositions

  • Research Assistant, York University- School of Nursing, 2018, 2020, SSHRC funded project: Exploring Nursing Students with Disabilities and Nursing Clinical Instructors Experiences in the Clinical Placement Landscape, under the supervision of Dr. Iris Epstein. Conducted Semi-Structured Interviews with nursing students with disabilities and clinical instructors with two post-secondary sites in Toronto. Coded qualitative data using Dedoose. Content Analysis, literature review, and policy review. Applying geography of health and critical disability studies lenses.
  • Research Associate, York University - Centre for Research on Work and Disability Policy (CRWDP), 2017, 2018, SSHRC funded project on Canada wide employment standards for hiring persons with disabilities, under the supervision of Dr. Marcia Rioux. Collaborated on creating working documents sent to Policy pod members. Literature Review, policy analysis, and policy writing. Event planning for annual general meeting with pod members and stakeholders.
  • Research Assistant, York University Health Research Institute, 2015, 2017, SSHRC funded project on rights monitoring & violations of Indigenous Peoples with Disabilities: access to health care, social inclusion, employment, and education. Disability Rights Promotion International, “Expanding the Circle,” under the supervision of Dr. Marcia Rioux. Coded data using NVivo and applied thematic analysis. Conducted literature review. Event planning Indigenous Health Summit Event. Mixed Method Research Methodology & co-authored report.
  • Teaching Assistant, York University, 2018, 2020, IHST 1020- Agents of Change, TA position, York University, Fall 2018- Winter 2020. Grade assignments and presentations. Facilitate online discussions with students. Office hours.
  • Teaching Assistant, York University, 2018, HLST 1011 – Foundations of Health Studies II, TA position, York University, Fall 2018. Held weekly tutorials. Grade assignments and exams. Invigilate final exam. Office Hours.
  • Teaching Assistant, York University, 2018, IHST 1010- Foundations of Global Health Studies, TA position, York University, Fall 2018. Held weekly Tutorials. Grade assignments and exams. Invigilate mid-term and final exam. Office hours.

Mediacoverage

  • Lack of supports in life can push people with disabilities toward medical assistance in dying, says advocate, CBC Radio, 2020-02-28, https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/teck-frontier-mine-medical-assistance-in-dying-1990s-mls-wilson-cruz-the-first-drag-queen-and-more-1.5477892/lack-of-supports-in-life-can-push-people-with-disabilities-toward-medical-assistance-in-dying-says-advocate-1.5478180?__vfz=medium%3Dsharebar
  • Ontario Disability Coalition says children being left behind, YorkRegion.com, 2017, https://www.yorkregion.com/community-story/8000029-ontario-disability-coalition-says-children-being-left-behind/
  • Sick Kids ad critic, CBC News, 2016-10-24, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/sick-kids-ad-critic-1.3818564
  • Ontario health minister responds to families who say home nursing system failing them, Global News, 2016-03-09, https://globalnews.ca/news/2565780/ontario-health-minister-responds-to-families-who-say-home-nursing-system-failing-them/?iframe=true&theme_preview=trueamp/
  • ‘Do we have a nurse coming?’ Families worry shortage puts kids at risk, Global News, 2016-03-08, https://globalnews.ca/news/2563003/do-we-have-a-nurse-coming-families-worry-shortage-puts-kids-at-risk/
  • Families fighting for OHIP funding for U.S. surgery redouble their efforts, Global News, 2015-08-27, https://globalnews.ca/news/2189616/families-fighting-for-ohip-funding-for-u-s-surgery-redouble-their-efforts/
  • Families fighting for children’s’ surgery rejected by OHIP, Global News, 2015-08-17, https://globalnews.ca/news/2170390/families-fighting-for-childrens-surgery-rejected-by-ohip/

Presentations

  • Students with disabilities and accommodations in health and allied health programs: Perspectives and responses of professionals, EduTeach Canadian International Conference on Advances in Education, Teaching &Technology, 2019-07, Toronto, ON
  • Evaluating clinical placements programs: A geography lens, International Conference in Residency Education: Faculty Development in the Health Professionals Conference, 2019-09, Ottawa, ON
  • Registered practical nursing students and registered nurses who identify with a disability: Comparing perspectives on clinical placements, Canadian Association of Practical Nurse Educators (CAPNE) Conference, 2019-09, Winnipeg, MB
  • Can Patient- Partners Inform Investigators on how to improve recruitment rates?, CHILD-BRIGHT Annual Meeting, 2018-12-05
  • F-Words: Policy & Practice, Childhood Cerebral Palsy Discovery Network (CP-Net): Science & Family Day, 2018-10-19, McMaster University
  • Homecare Access in Ontario, The York Institute for Health Research's (YIHR) 20th Anniversary Annual Student Symposium, 2016-04-28

Awards

Nominated for Human Rights Award for MA research, Critical Disability Studies, York University, 2017

Publications

  • Peer Reviewed- Articles, Patient, caregiver and other knowledge user engagement in consensus-building healthcare initiatives: a scoping review protocol, BMJ Open, 2024-05-08, Munce SEP, Wong E, Luong D, Rao J, Cunningham J, Bailey K, John T, Barber C, Batthish M, Chambers K, Cleverley K, Crabtree M, Diaz S, Dimitropoulos G, Gorter JW, Grahovac D, Grimes R, Guttman B, Hébert ML, Henze M, Higgins A, Khodyakov D, Li E, Lo L, Macgregor L, Mooney S, Severino SM, Mukerji G, Penner M, Pidduck J, Shulman R, Stromquist L, Trbovich P, Wan M, Williams L, Yates D, Toulany A, 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080822, 38719333
  • Peer Reviewed- Articles, ‘Ask me what I need’: A call for shifting responsibility upwards and creating inclusive learning environments in clinical placement, Nurse Education Today, Epstein I., Stephens L., Severino S. M., Khanlou N., Mack T. L., Barker D., & Dadashi N., 10.1016/j.nedt.2020.104505
  • Technical Reports, Policy Forums, Op-Eds, and Non-Refereed, Children with disabilities in Canada. Alternative Report for the 5th/6th Review of Canada under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, March, 2020, Shikako-Thomas, K., Gonzalez, M., Lai, J., Movahed, M., Mora Severino, S., Martens, R., Finlay, B., & Zwicker, J., https://www.childhooddisability.ca/policy/children-with-disabilities-in-canada-alternative-report-for-the-5th-6th-review-of-canada/
  • Technical Reports, Policy Forums, Op-Eds, and Non-Refereed, Is medically assisted dying a choice if persons with disabilities aren’t given the necessary supports to live?, The Toronto Star, 2020-01-28, Mora Severino, S., https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2020/01/28/is-medically-assisted-dying-a-choice-if-persons-with-disabilities-arent-given-the-necessary-supports-to-live.html
  • Technical Reports, Policy Forums, Op-Eds, and Non-Refereed, Childhood Disability in Canada the 21st Century: Opportunities to Apply New Concepts!, Policy Options website, accepted August 2018, Rosenbaum, P., Cross, A, Mora Severino, S., http://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/august-2018/changing-policy-thinking-around-childhood-disability/
  • Technical Reports, Policy Forums, Op-Eds, and Non-Refereed, Expanding the circle: Monitoring the human rights of Indigenous, First Nations, Aboriginal, Inuit and Metis people with disabilities in Canada (Site Report), Disability Rights Promotion International Canada, Gillespie, E., Rioux, M., Mora Severino, S., Moore, M., Bell, S., Williams, L. Hostland, E., http://drpi.research.yorku.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ EXPANDING-THE-CIRCLE-Holistic-Report-March-2016.pdf

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Professional Working

Certification

Certificate in Family Engagement Research, CanChild & McMaster University, 2019.

Partners in Research (PiR) Course, St. Mike’s Hospital and SPOR, 2018.

Applied Introduction to SPSS v. 23, York University 2016

Introduction to Statistical Analysis Software for Windows, York University, 2016.

Business and Consulting, GMCA, York University, 2016.

Professional Ethics, York University, 2014.

Practical Ethics, York University, 2014.

Timeline

EDI-DI (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Indigenization) Advisor - CHILD-BRIGHT
09.2021 - Current
Member - CHILD BRIGHT- Policy Hub
09.2019 - Current
Board Member - Public Health Ontario Research Ethics Board
07.2019 - 07.2021
Advisor - Vulnerable Persons Standards for Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada for People with Disabilities
01.2019 - Current
Research Assistant - York University- School of Nursing
09.2018 - 03.2020
Member of Technical Working Group - Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
10.2017 - 12.2018
Research Associate - York University - Centre for Research on Work and Disability Policy (CRWDP)
01.2017 - 04.2018
Parent Advisor - CHILD BRIGHT- Strongest Families
04.2016 - Current
Research Assistant - York University Health Research Institute
09.2015 - 12.2017
York University - Ph.D., Health Policy & Equity
York University - Master of Arts, Critical Disability Studies
York University - Honours Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology
York University - Specialized Honours Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy

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