Indigenous Health, Indigenous Leadership, Medical Curriculum Development, Anti-Racism
As a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Turtle Clan, Dr. Cass practices Indigenous Health as a primary care physician at Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and has an additional focused practice in Obesity Medicine, for which she is board-certified. Through her community-focused practice, Dr. Cass advocates to reduce gaps in services and inequities in care for Indigenous patients- current efforts are focused on inequitable access to medication. She also provides Indigenous representation on the local Physician Primary Healthcare Council, the Medical Council of Canada, and co-chairs the first Ontario Health Quality Standards Advisory Committee on Cultural Safety and Indigenous Health.
Dr. Cass is deeply involved in shaping medical education, contributing to policy development, community engagement, admissions and curriculum design as a member of the senior leadership team at the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine.
Dr. Cass was the recipient of the Indigenous Physicians’ Association of Canada’s 2024 Community Impact Award, and was recently elected to the Board of Directors.
She holds a Medical Doctorate from Tulane University and completed her family medicine residency at the University of Calgary. With a background in breast cancer molecular biology, she earned her PhD from Queen’s University, garnering recognition with various institutional and international awards. Throughout her academic and professional journey, Dr. Cass has been actively involved in Indigenous mentorship and advocacy, fostering a supportive environment for Indigenous learners and a safe space for Indigenous patients.