DMCBH Member Dr. Shelina Babul has been awarded a 2026 YWCA Women of Distinction Award in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to the well-being of families and communities. She was recognized in the health and wellness category for her work on identifying gaps in injury prevention, concussion research and advancing the adoption of evidence-based interventions.
Dr. Babul is a clinical professor of pediatrics at the UBC Faculty of Medicine and director of the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit at BC Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Babul developed the internationally trusted Concussion Awareness Training Tool and co-led the creation of Active and Safe Central, an online resource promoting physical activity to improve the health and well-being of British Columbians.
Her work has been recognized through multiple awards including the 2025 Canadian Association for Medical Education Certificate of Merit, the 2025 Alumni UBC Global Citizenship Award and the 2023 UBC Faculty of Medicine Clinical Faculty Award for Excellence in Research.
“Health and wellness means more than just the absence of injury or illness. It’s about equity, advocating for prevention, and ensuring that every person has the opportunity to live a safe and healthy life,” Dr. Babul said at the May 7 awards gala.
“This award reinforces the importance of the work we do and the responsibility we carry for the well-being of others. Thank you to my family, friends and colleagues for your constant support, and to the YWCA for shining a light on the important work all the nominees tonight are doing.”
Since launching in 1984, the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards have honoured more than 2,400 exceptional nominees who are inspiring lasting change in unique, tangible ways.
Dr. Shelina Babul, sixth from right, with her fellow award recipients at the 2026 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards gala.
This story was originally published on the UBC Faculty of Medicine website
