Dr. Kamini Vasudev has won the International Science, Technology & Research Award (ISTRA)
2024 in the category of International Best Researcher Award for her paper titled "Scholarly
Curriculum at a Psychiatry Residency Program in Canada: 10-Year Outcomes."
Dr. Vasudev is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Western University, London, Ontario,
Canada. She is also the Medical Director and Quality Improvement Lead for Adult Out-Patient
Mental Health Service at Victoria Hospital, London Health Sciences Center (LHSC).
Dr. Vasudev is a distinguished academic and clinician with extensive training and experience in
pharmacology and psychiatry. Prior to joining Western University, Dr. Vasudev completed a 6-
year post-graduate structured training in Pharmacology (MD, equivalent to a PhD) in India,
followed by 6 years of residency in Psychiatry in the UK. Over the past 14 years at Western
University, Dr. Vasudev has made significant contributions at both national and international
levels.
Dr. Vasudev joined the Department of Psychiatry at Western University's Schulich School of
Medicine and Dentistry (SSMD) as an Assistant Professor in September 2010 and held a cross-
appointment to the Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, from 2011 to
2018. As the Research Co-ordinator for the Residents Program Committee (RPC) in Psychiatry
(2012-2015) and the Scholarly Portfolio Lead (2015-2022), Dr. Vasudev played a pivotal role in
enhancing the research training of psychiatry residents, significantly enhancing research
productivity among residents.
A key accomplishment was the revamp of the scholarly curriculum for Western's psychiatry
residency program, making scholarly activity mandatory for all residents since 2011. Dr.
Vasudev's work led to a national survey on research experience in psychiatry residency programs
across Canada, published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry in 2014, and presented at
international conferences. The paper advocated for national guidelines for research training,
influencing the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) to release new
specialty training requirements in psychiatry in 2015.
Dr. Vasudev's dual training in pharmacology and psychiatry allowed specialization in
psychopharmacology. Recognizing gaps in psychopharmacology teaching, Dr. Vasudev
developed a standardized curriculum for psychiatry residents, which was implemented across
PGY1-5 and published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology in 2017. As the course
director for the updated psychopharmacology curriculum since 2020, Dr. Vasudev has
streamlined learning objectives to align with the CanMEDS framework.
Beyond academic and clinical roles, Dr. Vasudev is deeply involved in teaching and mentorship.
Dr. Vasudev has actively contributed to the development and implementation of the Competency
Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum at Western Psychiatry, developed the Continuous
Quality Improvement (CQI) curriculum for psychiatry residents, and delivered faculty
continuing professional development (CPD) events. She has received awards of excellence in
Undergraduate Education, Postgraduate Education and CPD. She received the Royal College
Accredited CPD Provider Innovation Award in 2014 for a course on Academic Detailing.

In addition to academic contributions, Dr. Vasudev has held significant leadership roles,
including the physician lead for General Adult Ambulatory Mental Health Service at Victoria
Hospital (2014-2020), Medical Director of Adult O-P Mental Health Service (2020-present), and
Quality Improvement (QI) Lead (since May 2022).
Dr. Vasudev's research and QI initiatives have resulted in numerous awards, publications, and
significant improvements in patient care standards. She has been the recipient of the Clinical
Innovation Award (2016), the Jane Chamberlin Award (2021) for outstanding contributions to
hospital psychiatry and mental health programs during the COVID-19 crisis and Faculty member
of the year award in 2023. Dr. Vasudev's innovative approach to interdisciplinary care models
has positioned LHSC's out-patient mental health service as a national leader, significantly
reducing wait times and setting new standards for patient care.
On a personal front Dr. Vasudev volunteers as a board member for a non-profit spiritual
organization, Chinmaya Mission London, Canada. She has completed certificates in scriptural
studies and facilitates spiritual study groups. She has delivered public lectures on Mental Health
and Wellbeing. She was the advocate and creator of a teaching session on ‘spirituality and mental
health’ in the Western University psychiatry residency curriculum.
In summary, Dr. Vasudev's impressive career is marked by significant academic, clinical, and
leadership contributions, pioneering educational reforms, innovative quality improvement
initiatives, and a profound commitment to teaching, mentorship, and patient care.