From Emergency Rooms to Parliament
By Jaskeerat Thakral (C’25)
On April 8, 2025, the Conversations in Health: Global to Local class welcomed Keith Martin, M.D., for a conversation that spanned continents, careers, and convictions. As the founding executive director of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health, Dr. Martin brought a rare depth of experience to the discussion, one shaped by medicine, politics, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right.
Dr. Martin opened by recounting his first migration, tracing his journey from England to Canada as a child. Once settled in Toronto, he navigated early uncertainty about his future and ultimately found his calling in medicine. His stories from the emergency room and fieldwork abroad revealed not only a passion for service, but also an empathy for those affected by global health crises. It was during these experiences that Dr. Martin began noticing injustices in health care, from preventable diseases to the profound influence of social determinants of health, that sparked his drive to make a broader impact.
Perhaps a big surprise to some at the time, Dr. Martin took a bold leap from medicine into politics, a space not often associated with frontline health workers. Inspired by a party whose guiding principle was “act on your conscience first, your people second, and the party third,” Dr. Martin ran for office. With determination and a clear vision, he won his seat and became a member of Parliament in the House of Commons of Canada.
His impact was immediate.
Dr. Martin shared the story of how one of his first legislative efforts, a ban on landmines, crossed party lines and became a landmark multilateral treaty. This motivation came from personal experience. He treated a young boy in Mozambique who had lost his legs after stepping on a landmine.
Throughout his political career, there was one thing that kept Dr. Martin grounded: his values.
Even when it meant breaking with his party and ultimately leaving it, he consistently chose conscience over compliance.
One message that resonated with me was Dr. Martin’s advice to stay connected to what grounds you. For him, that meant continuing to work weekend shifts as an emergency physician throughout his time in government—a way to remain in touch with the realities of the people he served.
Now leading the Consortium, Dr. Martin continues to champion global health equity by connecting academic institutions around the world.
For those of us navigating the early stages of our careers, Dr. Martin’s story is both grounding and inspiring. Whether in a clinic, a classroom, or the halls of government, meaningful change starts with the courage to care, and the commitment to act.
Jaskeerat Thakral (C’25) is an undergraduate student at Georgetown University majoring in biology. She is a student in the Conversations in Health: Global to Local class.