Dr. Philip Berger has been a life-long champion of humane health care. As an educator, administrator and physician, he has transformed care access for patients facing barriers in navigating the health care system, particularly those living in poverty, injection drug users, people with HIV/AIDS, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, refugees and victims of torture. His efforts have helped change medical policies, and his mentorship has inspired physicians in their own care journeys. Dr. Berger has taken on leadership roles on the Canadian Jewish Congress between 2004 and 2013. He is the author of a recent article in Tablet Magazine about antisemitism in academia after October 7. For his strong advocacy on behalf of vulnerable people, in 2020 Dr. Berger was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

The Merkur Lectures are a series of Darchei Noam programs on equity, civil liberty and social justice, presented with generous support from the Merkur Family.