Bicentennial Lectureship

The IOL has a longstanding history and tradition of thought leadership. From its founding over 200 years ago to today, the IOL has been at the forefront of approaching healthcare in a dignified and humanistic way. 

As part of the 200^th anniversary, we are building upon past tradition and launching a new annual initiative described as the Bicentennial Lectureship. 

The bicentennial lectureship will be awarded to an outstanding individual in the early stages of their professional journey, working in mental health services as a registered health professional. 

We are seeking individuals who have demonstrated an impact through their work in innovation, advocacy, and patient-centered care. Nominations will require a CV and letter of nomination. Primary criteria will include: (1) Emerging thought leadership (influence, impact, and inspiration; (2) Role model for others; (3) Innovation in mental health service design and delivery. The process for the Bicentennial Lectureship will parallel the Burlingame award and be vetted through the Burlingame Award committee. A call for nominations is distributed in the fall of each year with a planned lecture taking place in the spring.

The Bicentennial Lectureship will typically involve a 2 day visit on site at the Institute of Living. The recipient will present Grand Rounds on a topic of their choosing and spend one day visiting with learners and staff. They will be invited to present a workshop focusing on skill-building for our community of colleagues. Their itinerary will be co-developed with the Lecturer and the IOL community.

2024 Lectureship Nominations

Nominations for the 2024 Lectureship are closed.

Nominations for the 2025 Lectureship will open in the Fall, 2024.

Past Recipients

2023

Dr. Ahmed Hankir chosen as first Bicentennial Lectureship recipient

International Innovator Dr. Ahmed Hankir speaks on mental health stigma

The first IOL Bicentennial Lectureship recipient was Ahmed Hankir, MD, an internationally known speaker, author and thought leader who has personally experienced mental health challenges, is best known for his anti-stigma presentation “The Wounded Healer.” Dr. Hankir works as an academic and clinical psychiatrist for South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom. He brought his personal experience as an immigrant, a Muslim and someone who has overcome personal mental health challenges to his unique approach to healing and thriving.

During his two-day visit in January 2023, Dr. Hankir presented a grand rounds presentation on stigma and bias in healthcare as well as an in-person skill building community workshop that focused on the role of the arts and music in healing.

Both of Dr. Hankir’s lively presentations addressed the many aspects of the stigma and the fear of repercussions that some medical professionals have discussing their own personal mental health issues but also the benefits of sharing their lived experiences with patients. He praised the work of recovery support specialists and others who are open about their mental health history and encouraged all to work on rewriting the narrative and using tools like social media to further the message and “tweet against the dying of the light”.