Dr. Monty Ghosh BSc’03, MBT’04, MD’09

In Calgary, where the complexities of homelessness and substance abuse often remain hidden from everyday life, Dr. Monty Ghosh has brought to light some of the most pressing social issues faced both globally and locally. His journey from a global health expert to a pivotal figure in local community health is a testament to his unyielding dedication to making a tangible difference. This ability has made him a well-deserving recipient of the Community Commitment Arch Award.

"My passion was just really focused on global health," Dr. Ghosh recalls. "I think the major change happened when I came back to Canada after I had graduated from residency."

This shift marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. Overseas work at an orphanage ignited a sense of contributing to something greater, but it was his return to Calgary that truly defined his path. Though finding a job was difficult upon Dr. Ghosh’s return, it led him to work for a non-profit agency. 

"The only place that would hire me was the non-profit sector, and it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me," he says. 

This was what began his time at The Alex Community Health Centre, where he realized the intertwined issues of homelessness and substance abuse needed urgent attention. Family priorities further anchored him to Calgary, prompting him to channel his global aspirations into local initiatives. It was the words of one of his mentors, Dr. Martin Labrie, MD’81, that played a crucial role in redirecting his focus. 

“He would ask me: why are you looking to go overseas when there's so much need out here in Calgary?" says Dr. Ghosh.

That question reshaped Dr. Ghosh's mission and was a pivot that led to a deeper understanding of the social aspects of health care — an area scarcely covered in his medical training. Now, as a doctor of internal medicine and addiction medicine, he wears several hats working at both the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton and the Foothills and Rockyview hospitals in Calgary. He also partners with multiple community-based non-profit organizations to support marginalized populations, including those experiencing homelessness, substance use, mental health issues and those in corrections. In particular, Dr. Ghosh provides community internal medicine services at The Alex and the Calgary Drop-In Centre and helps create programs to support their users.

"What's the point of managing someone's diabetes if they're scavenging for food off garbage cans?" Dr. Ghosh posits, highlighting the critical need to address underlying social issues.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a crucible for Dr. Ghosh, offering profound lessons in leadership and co-ordination. 

"There was a lot of confusion; no one knew who was in charge of anything," he recalls. Yet, amid the chaos, he learned to navigate complex problems, working with various agencies to protect those experiencing homelessness. "It wasn't just me; it was a whole team," Dr. Ghosh emphasizes, underscoring the collaborative spirit essential in crisis management.

Currently, Dr. Ghosh is deeply involved in national projects addressing homelessness and substance abuse. One such initiative is the National Overdose Response Service (NORS), a hotline for substance users that can dispatch emergency services if they overdose. 

"During COVID, we rallied people together to manage the crisis with great results. But, with the opioid crisis, we do not have the same level of support, even though it is claiming more lives," he says.

A significant portion of Dr. Ghosh’s work now focuses on understanding and mitigating the drug poisoning crisis. "We don't understand the scope of the problem on a national level," he says, highlighting his efforts to gather comprehensive data through drug surveillance. "If we can figure out the scope, maybe we can come up with more solutions."

Dr. Ghosh's advocacy extends to creating medical respite facilities for those experiencing homelessness, a need underscored by the pandemic. "People experiencing homelessness spend longer times in hospitals. They need proper post-hospital care," he says. Medical respite provides a safe space for recovery, crucial for a population without stable housing.

Despite his accolades, Dr. Ghosh remains grounded in the realities faced by his patients. "The trauma they've experienced is heartbreaking," he says. "Almost 50 per cent of the population experiencing homelessness had some form of physical, emotional or sexual trauma in their past." He recounts the harrowing stories of his patients with compassion and urgency, underscoring the need for trauma-informed care.

His work is driven by a belief in the importance of data-driven advocacy. "It's not just asking politicians to change their minds; it's showing them data around what needs to change," Dr. Ghosh explains. This pragmatic approach aims to create sustainable, impactful solutions for the issues he tackles.

Dr. Ghosh's Arch Award recognition is not just a personal accolade, but a spotlight on the broader issues of homelessness and substance abuse. "It's about highlighting the issues we're facing as a society," he insists. Through his work, he hopes to foster empathy and understanding, moving the needle towards meaningful change.

In the face of daunting challenges, Dr. Ghosh embodies the spirit of compassion, innovation and resilience. His journey is a testament to the power of focused, community-driven efforts in addressing some of society's most pressing issues. As he continues to push boundaries and advocate for the vulnerable, his work serves as a catalyst for change and a call to action for all of us.