Roy | Family Medicine | School of Medicine

Dr. Amrita Roy BSc Hons, MSc, PhD, MD, CCFP

Position(s)

Assistant Professor

Faculty Bio

Roles: Staff Physician, supervising and teaching Family Medicine residents, clinical coverage and patient care. Clinician-scientist engaged in teaching and health research along with patient care.

Education: BSc Honours, University of Guelph (2006); MSc, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University (2008); PhD, Population & Public Health, University of Calgary (2017); MD, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary (2017); Family Medicine Residency, Schulich School of Medicine, Western University (2019).

Expertise: Family medicine; research methods; Indigenous health; public health; global health

Research Interests: Indigenous health; health equity and the social determinants of health; women’s health; mental health; immigrant and refugee health; youth health; global health; health promotion; biopsychosocial approaches to health and medicine; stress, trauma, marginalization and health; social exclusion and structural violence; primary care and medical education; health services and policy

Publications: List available at: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=tcS-jjMAAAAJ&hl=en

About me:

An MD-PhD academic family physician and clinician-scientist, Dr. Amrita Roy joined the faculty of Queen’s University Department of Family Medicine, and the staff physician group at Queen’s Family Health Team, in July 2019. She is additionally cross-appointed to the Department of Public Health Sciences at Queen’s. A settler ally with a research focus in Indigenous health, Dr. Roy works in close collaboration with Indigenous peoples in community-engaged research centred on the principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP). Apart from Indigenous health, Dr. Roy’s other areas of research interest include immigrant and refugee health, women’s health, youth health, and global health. Methodologically, Dr. Roy has expertise in quantitative, qualitative, mixed- and multiple-methods approaches to health research, in addition to community-based and participatory research approaches.

In addition to patient care and health research, Dr. Roy enjoys teaching. She supervises both clinical and research trainees across degree programs at Queen's. In 2021, she was recognized as a CFMS Culture Changer Champion by the Canadian Federation of Medical Students, following nomination by Queen's medical trainees.

Research funding (select recent examples):

Roy A (PI), Funnell S, Slater M, Green M, LaPointe M, Hill J, Kingston-Miller A, Pelley A. Perinatal mental health in urban Indigenous women in Southeastern Ontario: A planning proposal. Planning and Dissemination Grant ($25,000) from Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Awarded June 2023.
Roy A (PI), Donnelly C, Green M, Galica J, Tranmer J, Grady C, Bell M, Morrison K, Macbeth T, Young A, Claus-Johnson L, Brant K, Nolan D, Gerow L. Centering Indigenous perspectives and priorities in a Learning Health System: a case study of the new Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Ontario Health Team. Catalyst Fund ($25,000) from Queen’s University. Awarded August 2021.
Roy A (PI), Grady C, Patterson SK, Claus-Johnson L, LaPointe M, Nolan D. A case study of the Indigenous Wellness Council (southeast Ontario region) : Indigenous self-determination in action. Partnership Engage Grant ($25,000) from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Awarded March 2021.
Roy A (PI), Funnell S, Grady C, Bayoumi I, Green M, Nolan D, Sheppard A, Watson A, Claus-Johnson L, LaPointe M. Indigenous peoples living with chronic health issues during the COVID-19 era - examining experiences in Katarokwi (Kingston, Ontario area). SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Rapid Response Research Grant ($25,000) from Queen’s University. Awarded June 2020. [Project name: Katarokwi Indigenous Resilience during COVID-19 (KIRC-19) - https://www.facebook.com/KIRC19 ]

KIRC-19 Report # 1 - Full Report

KIRC-19 Report #1 – Results In Brief

Roy A (PI). Youth empowerment and sexual health promotion in West Bengal, India. Research Initiation Grant ($30,000) from School of Medicine, Queen’s University. Awarded July 2020.
Morin C (NPI) et al. (large multi-site team). Insomnia and Mental Health: From Burden of Illness to Personalized Interventions Based on Phenotypes. Team Grant: Sleep Research Consortium ($1,375,000) from Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Queen’s U team component: Davidson J, Horn O, Roy A (co-applicant, co-lead), Watson S, et al. Enhancing Insomnia Care with Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. Waonkwenserontiio - “We are sleeping beautifully” ($175,530). Awarded May 2022.
Sypnowich C (PI), Roy A (co-applicant, co-lead), Pedri-Spade C, Walters M, Funnell S, Alavi N, Bisung E, Davison C, Kymlicka W, Moore M, Thomas J, Webber G. Toppling Monuments: Colonial Trauma, Justice, Heritage, and Restorative Healing. New Frontiers in Exploration Grant ($250,000) from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Awarded March 2021.
Sypnowich C (PI), Roy A (co-PI), Pedri-Spade C, Walters M, Funnell S, Alavi N, Bisung E, Davison C, Kymlicka W, Moore M, Thomas J, Webber G. Toppling Monuments: Colonial Trauma, Justice, Heritage, and Restorative Healing. Wicked Ideas Grant ($75,000) from Queen’s University. Awarded July 2021.
Wilson R, Van Wylick R, Barber D, Wolfrom B, Roy A (co-I), Buttemer S, Greening T, Juudi-Hope D, Philpott J, Kolomitro K, Mulder J, Hastings-Truelove A, Ross-White A, Stockley D. Developing a community based COVID-19 education, promotion and outreach program in the KFL&A region. Immunization Partnership Fund ($440, 000) from Public Health Agency of Canada. Awarded August 2021.

Honours and awards (select examples):

CFMS Culture Changer Champion, Canadian Federation of Medical Students, 2021 (faculty medical education award, nominated by students)
CFPC Research Award for Family Medicine Residents from the College of Family Physicians of Canada, 2019
CIHR Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), 2009-2012
Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship from the Killam Trusts, 2012-2014
AIHS MD-PhD Studentship from Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions (formerly Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research), 2012-2017
Scobey Hartley Doctoral Award from the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research (PolicyWise for Children & Families), 2012-2014
Alberta Award for the Study of Canadian Human Rights and Multiculturalism from the Government of Alberta, 2009-2010
Ontario Graduate Scholarship from the Government of Ontario, 2006-2007
Nat Christie Foundation Medical Entrance Award from the MD program, U of Calgary, 2014-2017
Achievers in Medical Science Graduate Scholarships , U of Calgary, 2008-2014
Chancellor's Scholarship, U of Guelph, 2002-2006

Research trainee project supervision as primary supervisor (starting 2019):

INDIGENOUS HEALTH

“Sleep and mental health in Akwesasne Mohawk Nation” (multi-methods dissertation; PhD student Atik Bird)
"Toolkit of Indigenous-focused approaches and evaluation indicators for health systems: a series of rapid literature reviews for use by the Frontenac, Lennox, and Addington Ontario Health Team (FLA OHT)" (MD student Niveditha Patthathil and MPH student Ishana Maini)
“Understanding and addressing the holistic wellness needs of Indigenous students at Queen’s University” (mixed-methods project entitled “Full Circle Queen’s Indigenous Student Wellness Study”; BSc students Caroline Instrum* and Claire Lamothe*, and MSc student Julia Moreau)
“Methods for measuring oppression in Indigenous population health research: a scoping review” (MPH student Maryam Shah)
“Promising practices for improving cultural safety and accessibility of healthcare institutions for Indigenous patients: a scoping review” (BSc student Natalie DiMaio**)
“Stakeholder reflections on implementing promising practices for improving cultural safety and accessibility of mainstream healthcare institutions for Indigenous patients in the Kingston, Ontario area” (qualitative research; MSc student Natalie DiMaio)
“Barriers to accessing prenatal care among Indigenous women in Canada: a scoping review” (Family Medicine resident Nirmala Joseph and MPH student Astha Patel)
“Environmental scan of programs/services in Ontario aimed at prenatal health promotion in Indigenous peoples and families” (MD student Alysha Pelley)
“Predictors and outcomes of perinatal mental health issues in Indigenous women: a scoping review” (MPH student Urvashi Beruar and MPH student Astha Patel)
“Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of wellbeing of Indigenous peoples in Canada: a scoping review” (BSc student Mahak Kapoor and MPH student Astha Patel)
“Promising practices for culturally-based interventions for diabetes prevention and management in Indigenous communities: a scoping review” (BSc student Santosh Pillarisetty)

GLOBAL HEALTH

“Promising practices for youth participatory action research in India around health promotion: a scoping review” (MPH student Thushadi Kamalasiri)
“Promising practices for sex education and sexual health information resources for youth in India” (MD student Niveditha Patthathil***)

OTHER

“Screening newcomers for depression in primary care: identifying barriers and facilitators in the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) region” (online survey research; MD student Devyani Premkumar***)
“Identifying barriers and facilitators for family physicians in Ontario around routine screening of patients for poverty” (online survey research; GDPM student Azar Bayat and MPH student Ashvini Yogarajah)
“Barriers and facilitators to successful participation in and graduation from residency programs among medical residents who are international medical graduates (IMGs): a scoping review” (Family Medicine resident Jabiz Modaresi Esfeh)
"Hospital Care for Homeless Patients: Assessing formalized approaches to caring for homeless inpatients in Canada" (Family Medicine residents Molly Touzel**** and Sonya Swift****)
“Strategies in primary care for helping pregnant women stop or reduce marijuana use during pregnancy: a scoping review” (Family Medicine resident Aisha Saaed)
“Supporting resident physicians experiencing personal grief: Resources and approaches across Ontario” (Family Medicine resident Spencer Lee)
“ADHD in incarcerated patients”. (Family Medicine resident Ikram Khan)

*Recipients, Queen’s University Undergraduate Student Summer Research Fellowships (USSRF).

**Recipient, Top Free-standing Paper Award, Family Medicine Forum of College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).

*** Recipients, Dr. S.S. Robinson Summer Studentship Fund in Family Medicine, Queen’s University.

**** Recipients, College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Family Medicine Resident Award for Scholarly Achievement.