Restoring Health, Rebuilding Lives: Dr. Borna Meisami Commemorative Foundation Expands Trauma-Informed Care for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence
For 17 years, the Dr. Borna Meisami Commemorative Foundation (DBMF) has been the only Canadian organization delivering pro bono, concrete, and trauma-informed care in the areas of dentistry, sleep medicine, and rehabilitative medicine to help gender-based and intimate partner violence (GBV and IPV) survivors regain their systemic and mental health. To date, the Foundation has provided over $2.5 million in comprehensive pro bono treatment, empowered over 125 GBV survivors, trained over 50 volunteer healthcare practitioners in trauma-informed training, and supported more than 100 shelters and sexual assault clinics.
DBMF’s pro bono, trauma-informed, and gold-standard model of care was developed to address the unique economic and social barriers survivors face when accessing healthcare. Our work has been made possible through the dedication of volunteer healthcare practitioners who provide pro bono services and the generous support of donors, corporate partners, and community members. We are grateful to them for their unwavering partnership!
This year marks a pivotal moment in the Foundation’s history, as DBMF expands its work through two major initiatives aimed at improving long-term systemic and mental health outcomes for GBV and IPV survivors.
Trauma-Informed Training
With the introduction of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), financial barriers to dental care are being reduced for many vulnerable Canadians, including survivors. However, while the CDCP improves affordability, it does not specifically address the need for trauma-informed care. Survivors do not feel safe in various vulnerable healthcare environments and feel discriminated against. In response, DBMF is partnering with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) to launch a trauma-informed training program for dental practitioners. This will equip dental professionals with the skills to recognize trauma and respond with trauma-informed care, ensuring that financial access is matched with compassionate care. We aim to reach 11,000 practitioners by 2028.
Restoring Sleep
DBMF is also strengthening its Restoring Sleep Program. This program provides pro bono, trauma-informed treatment for sleep breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and chronic snoring, conditions that profoundly affect the mental and physical health of survivors. Sleep breathing disorders are linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, depression, and other health concerns. These conditions can impede recovery, preventing survivors from rebuilding their lives. Yet sleep disorders are rarely assessed with GBV services, creating a critical gap in comprehensive care. This program ensures survivors
are properly diagnosed and supported for sleep breathing disorders. By restoring healthy sleep, we give survivors access to the essential care their bodies and minds need because true healing begins with safe, peaceful restorative sleep, which is essential for brain health and recovery from trauma.
“This year represents an important step forward for the Foundation,” said Dr. Tina Meisami, Executive Director of DBMF. “Our Trauma-Informed Training and strengthened Restoring Sleep Program advance our mission to provide critical healthcare to GBV and IPV survivors and help Restore a Smile, Empower a Woman, and Reclaim Her Life. We look forward to working with our partners to continue empowering survivors as they rebuild their lives.”
ABOUT THE DR. BORNA MEISAMI COMMEMORATIVE FOUNDATION
The Dr. Borna Meisami Commemorative Foundation is a registered non-profit charity dedicated to helping women rebuild their lives after gender-based and intimate partner violence. Founded in honour of Dr. Tina Meisami’s late brother, Dr. Borna Meisami, an Orthopaedic surgeon, a feminist, and a humanitarian, the Foundation was launched to help women rebuild their lives after GBV. The Foundation provides concrete, trauma-informed, and pro bono treatment in dentistry, medicine, surgery, sleep, and rehabilitative medicine. The following are the ways you can support our mission:
- Donate now to change lives: https://drbmeisamifoundation.com/make-a-donation/
- Join our annual Stride for Survivors event dedicated to raising funds for GBV survivors: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/restoringsmiles/events/stride-for-survivorswalkathon-and-picnic/
- For interviews for International Women’s Day, please contact 416-666-4981.
Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of GBV survivors!