Sunita Vohra

Biography and Expertise of Sunita Vohra

Dr. Sunita Vohra is a leading international voice in the rigorous, evidence-based application of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) within pediatrics. Her career is defined by a commitment to patient safety and informed decision-making, which led her to establish the groundbreaking Complementary and Alternative Research and Education (CARE) program at the University of Alberta. This initiative was the first of its kind in Canada, creating a robust academic platform for studying integrative therapies for children.

Her expertise directly addresses several core themes of the 3rd WCTCIM. Dr. Vohra’s focus on pragmatic clinical trials embodies the congress’s Thematic Axis 2.3, “Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health (Evidence-Based),” by generating the high-quality data needed to validate therapies. Moreover, her specialization in pediatrics is a perfect illustration of Thematic Axis 2.4, “TCIM Across the Lifespan,” highlighting the unique considerations for applying integrative medicine from infancy through adolescence. Her work provides a powerful model for integrating ancient wisdom and modern science to foster well-being societies.

Beyond her research on natural health products, Dr. Sunita Vohra has made significant contributions to health communication, particularly regarding vaccine safety. This work is essential for building public trust and supports the integration of evidence-informed practices into mainstream public health strategies, a key principle of both the Gujarat Declaration and the World Health Organization (WHO) Traditional Medicine Strategy. Her efforts demonstrate a holistic approach to child health that combines clinical care, rigorous research, and effective public engagement.

Professional Career

Dr. Sunita Vohra’s professional trajectory showcases a seamless blend of clinical acumen, pioneering research, and institutional leadership. She has built an influential career dedicated to establishing integrative medicine as a credible and evidence-based field within Canadian and global healthcare. Her journey is marked by the creation of foundational programs and leadership roles that continue to shape the future of pediatric care.

Her career progression demonstrates a consistent commitment to academic excellence and innovation. Furthermore, her ability to secure sustained funding from prestigious national bodies like the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) highlights the quality and impact of her work. Key milestones in her professional journey include:

• 2017 – Present: Director of the Integrative Health Institute, University of Alberta
• 2007 – Present: Full Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta
• 2002: Founder of the Complementary and Alternative Research and Education (CARE) program, the first academic pediatric integrative medicine program in Canada
• Consistently funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions (AIHS) for her work on TCIM safety and efficacy.

Academic Qualifications

The robust expertise of Dr. Sunita Vohra is built upon a solid and complementary academic foundation in both medicine and research methodology. This dual qualification provides her with a unique perspective, enabling her to bridge the gap between clinical observations and the demands of rigorous scientific inquiry. Her training has been instrumental in her ability to design and execute pragmatic clinical trials that yield meaningful, real-world evidence.

Her pursuit of a Master’s degree in Clinical Epidemiology, after becoming a physician, was a deliberate step to acquire the sophisticated skills needed to critically evaluate health interventions. This strategic academic path has defined her career, positioning her as a leader who not only practices medicine but also rigorously assesses the tools and treatments used in her field. Her principal qualifications include:

• 1998: Master of Science (MSc) in Clinical Epidemiology from McMaster University, a world-renowned center for evidence-based medicine.
• 1990: Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Calgary.
• FRCPC Designation: Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, indicating her standing as a certified specialist in pediatrics.

Research and Publications

At the core of Dr. Sunita Vohra’s career is a prolific and impactful research portfolio focused on generating high-quality evidence for TCIM in pediatric populations. With over 250 published papers, her work addresses critical questions of safety and effectiveness that are paramount for both clinicians and families. Her research agenda is a direct response to the growing use of natural health products and integrative therapies among children, aiming to provide a scientific basis for clinical recommendations. This aligns perfectly with the Gujarat Declaration’s call for science and evidence to guide the integration of traditional medicine.

Dr. Vohra’s research employs pragmatic trial designs to evaluate interventions in realistic settings. This approach ensures that her findings are directly applicable to everyday clinical practice, thereby facilitating the translation of knowledge into tangible health outcomes.

Key Research Highlights

A significant area of her work involves evaluating commonly used natural health products. For instance, her 2023 randomized trial on the “Safety and effectiveness of chamomile for sleep in children” provides clinicians with much-needed data on a popular herbal remedy. This type of research is fundamental to building a credible evidence base for TCIM.

In addition, Dr. Sunita Vohra investigates innovative approaches to public health communication. Her 2021 cluster randomized trial, “Effectiveness of a Web-Based Education Tool to Increase Vaccine Acceptance,” published in the prestigious journal Pediatrics, showcases her commitment to developing and validating evidence-based tools that address pressing public health challenges. This work is crucial for fostering informed dialogue and building trust between healthcare providers and the communities they serve.

Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Sunita Vohra‘s significant contributions to health science and integrative medicine have been recognized through numerous prestigious appointments and honors. These accolades reflect not only her personal achievements but also the growing importance of her field. Her induction into national and international leadership circles underscores the value of her evidence-based approach to TCIM.

These recognitions from leading health institutions in North America are a testament to her influence and the high regard in which her work is held. They validate her pioneering efforts to bring scientific rigor to the study of complementary and integrative therapies in pediatrics. Consequently, her leadership has helped elevate the entire field.

• 2023: Inducted as a Fellow into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS), one of the highest honors for health scientists in Canada, recognizing her outstanding contributions to evaluating natural health products.
• 2019 – 2020: Served as Chair of the National Advisory Council for Complementary and Integrative Health (NACCIH) for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States, the principal advisory body for this field at the world’s foremost medical research agency.
• 2012 – 2020: Appointed member of the National Advisory Council for Complementary and Integrative Health (NACCIH) at the NIH, providing expert guidance on research priorities and strategic direction.