ODBAPA Executive Bios

Sabrina Agnihotri  (Senior RFM Rep)

Dr. Sabrina Agnihotri is a PGY-1 resident at the University of Toronto and is in her first year serving of as the Junior Resident-Fellow Representative of the Ontario District Branch of the American Psychiatric Association. She completed a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and Biology at York University, followed by a Master’s of Science and Doctorate degree from the University of Toronto in Developmental Neurosciences. Sabrina then went on to complete a post-doctoral fellowship in the area of pediatric brain injury at the Bloorview Research Institute, and her Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Toronto. In her spare time, she continues to publish her research, is a food enthusiast, and loves to travel and to stay active.

Amina Ali (Early Career Rep)

Dr. Amina Ali is a Forensic Psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and a Lecturer at the University of Toronto. Dr. Ali completed her residency and forensic psychiatry fellowship in New York, United States. She is currently the Medical Education Lead in the Forensic Psychiatry Department at CAMH. In her spare time she enjoys food, travelling and shopping.

Alan Fung (President)

Dr. Alan Fung is the Physician Lead of the Mount Sinai Hospital Wellness Centre in Toronto. He completed his undergraduate degree (BSc), medical school (MD) and psychiatry residency training all at the University of Toronto. He also obtained an MPhil from the University of Cambridge and a research doctorate from Harvard University. He has strong clinical and academic interests in the cultural and spiritual dimensions of mental health care; neuropsychiatry and genetics; sleep medicine; mental health promotion; as well as medical humanities (including ethics, health professional education, interprofessional collaborations & education). He is a Research Professor at Tyndale University in Toronto, as well as a faculty member at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine and Collaborative Program in Neuroscience.

Sonu Gaind (President-Elect)

Dr. Gaind is a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto (U of T) and Chief of Psychiatry at Humber River Hospital, and clinically works as a psycho-oncology consultant. He is co-Director of the U of T Adult Psychiatry & Health Systems Division and a University Governor, an Honorary Member of the World Psychiatric Association, an Executive Member and Medical Practice & Tariff Chair of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) Section on Psychiatry and Chair of the OMA Relativity Advisory Committee, and a Past-President of both the Ontario Psychiatric Association and PAIRO. He represented Canada internationally as a Board Member of the World Psychiatric Association from 2017 to 2020 and as President of the Canadian Psychiatric Association from 2015 to 2016 (and in the more distant pastrepresented the country on Canada’s two first International Physics Olympiad teams!).

Dr. Gaind has been actively involved in health policy development and advocacy since residency, and has been recognized with numerous regional, provincial, national and international awards for his teaching, advocacy and impact. He has helped form health policy and engaged medical colleagues and the public to be more aware of and advocate against policies that stigmatize and discriminate against the mentally ill.

As Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) policies have been evolving in Canada, Dr. Gaind has testified in front of the Federal External Panel on Options for a Legislative Response to Carter v. Canada, the Provincial-Territorial Expert Advisory Group on Physician-Assisted Dying, the Special Joint Commons/Senate Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying, and the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on issues relevant to mental health and mental illness that need to be considered in the MAiD framework. Dr. Gaind chaired the time-limited 2016-2018 Canadian Psychiatric Association Task Force on Assisted Dying, was selected to sit on the Council of Canadian Academies Expert Panel on Mental Disorders and Assisted Dying, is physician chair of his Hospital MAiD team, and has spoken across the country and internationally on the subject.

Colleen Gambier (Executive Secretary)

Colleen Gambier has been the Executive Secretary of the Ontario District Branch since 2004. She brings with her many years of admin experience especially at the Executive level. Colleen is the liaison for the Ontario District Branch for information with regards to membership, involvement with the Board of Directors, and events and activities of the Branch. Please feel free to contact her at odbapa@rogers.com for any information you may require.

In her spare time, Colleen enjoys playing tennis, squash, snowshoeing, hiking and spending time with her two boys.

Leslie Kiraly

As a former alumnus of the University of Toronto (undergrad, medical education, and Fellowship in Psychiatry), I continue to be affiliated as an Adjunct Lecturer.

I served as the Undergraduate Education Rep and Outpatient Director at The Toronto East General Hospital (Michael Garron Hospital) during the 1980’s, and I continue on staff at that Community Hospital.

I was the Chief of the Department of Psychiatry at Peel Memorial Hospital through the 1990’s.
I was affiliated with the Mood and Anxiety Disorder Unit of CAMH in the 2000’s.

I helped to develop the CMHC (Community Mental Healthcare Clinic) at the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital in 1985, and I continue to be on Active Staff, working at that setting in a leadership role.

In addition, I have always maintained a private practice and continue to be involved in teaching activities in my office, offering observerships and support for foreign graduates. I have presented over 500 seminars, Grand Rounds and lectures to Family Physicians over the last 42 years of Shared Care Psychiatric Practice. I am a Life Fellow of the CPA.

Currently, I am more involved with medical-legal work.

I am a past President of the Ontario District Branch (ODB) of the APA, and have served as a Representative to the APA Area 1 Council and the APA Assembly for several years. I continue to serve as a Director on the Board of the ODB, and am a Distinguished Life Fellow of the APA.

Katalin Margittai (Treasurer)

Dr. Katalin Margittai is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto specializing in Psychosomatics and Women’s Mental Health. For over fifteen years, she was the Co-ordinator of the Consultation/Liaison Service and Co-ordinator of Undergraduate Medical Education in Psychiatry at Women’s College Hospital. She currently spends most of her time in private practice, and one day a week at North York General Hospital – where she serves as Psychiatric Consultant for the North York Family Health Team, does clinical research, and runs a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Group.

As matriarch of her small family, she is acutely aware of the importance of setting a good example by working out regularly, and skiing, cycling, and hiking as often as possible.

In her unstructured time, she enjoys theatre, films, photography, fine dining, and cultivating relationships with family and friends.

Alfred Margulies 

Dr. Alfred Margulies has recently retired after more than fifty years of practicing psychiatry. During this time he has held many roles: academic and educator with the UofT Department of Psychiatry; clinician and staff psychiatrist at Mt. Sinai Hospital; consultant to Baycrest Hospital; community psychiatrist; medico-legal expert with a focus upon the psychiatric sequelae to injury. He has served as chair of the OMA Section of Psychiatry, chair of the Psychotherapy Section of the CPA, and Board Director and President of the Canadian Society of Medical Evaluators.

His primary professional organizational interest has been with the APA, both at the central and district branch levels where he has served on various committees and has numerous ODB positions including President, Board Director, Assembly Representative, Public Affairs Representative, and, currently, Treasurer. He has been honored by the APA as a Distinguished Life Fellow for services to the field of psychiatry and to the organization.

Robert Notkin

Dr. Robert Notkin, is a forensic psychiatrist and president of Psymed, a Canada wide provider specializing in psychiatric, psychological and neuropsychological IMEs. He is a “Distinguished Fellow” of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), and a Past President and member of the Board Executive of the APA (ODB). He is a Past President of the Canadian Society of Medical Evaluators.

He has been a Faculty member of the Université de Montréal, Faculty of Medicine, Insurance Medicine and Medicolegal Expertise Program. He has spoken nationally and internationally to the Medicolegal, Regulatory, Insurance and Reinsurance communities on civil-forensic psychiatric issues. His practice is concentrated in the areas of Assessments, Consultations and Disability Management Services, with special reference to the provision of medicolegal reports for counsel.

Urvashi Prasad (Junior RFM Rep)

Dr. Urvashi Prasad is a PGY-3 resident at the University of Toronto and it is her first year serving of as the Junior Resident-Fellow Representative of the Ontario District Branch of the American Psychiatric Association. She completed a Bachelor’s of Science degree at McGill University with a major in Anatomy and Cell Biology and a minor in World Religions, as well as a Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Toronto. In her free time, she enjoys growing and propagating plants, connecting with friends and family, and traveling when possible.

Lily Van (Early Career Rep)

Dr. Lily Van is a PGY-3 resident at the University of Toronto and is serving as a senior member-in-training representative of the Ontario District Branch of the American Psychiatric Association. She completed a Bachelor’s of Health Sciences degree at McMaster University, as well as Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Toronto. She is also in the pre-graduate stream of the Clinician Scientist Program in her psychiatry residency. In her free time, she enjoys drinking tea, travelling, and scrapbooking.

 
Shery Zener

Dr. Shery Zener is a broadly based psychiatrist with experience in treating mental health problems from ages 17 onwards. Having completed her residency in Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, she began her career working at the Toronto Western Hospital providing consultations and outpatient psychiatric care to a community population. She became a Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Subsequently, she obtained her certification in Geriatric Psychiatry and worked at North York General Hospital and Baycrest, providing consultations, telehealth sessions, and supervision to residents.
She is currently on staff at the Michael Garron Hospital, working in their crisis clinic.

A Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (DFAPA), she is a former President of the Ontario District Branch of the APA, and continues to serve as a Director on the ODB board.