Dr. Shimi Kang

Dr. Kang's treatment, research, teaching, and media work reflect her expertise in healthy living, motivation, culture, addictions and mental health

Dr. Kang completed Medical School at the University of Alberta (Canada) where she graduated with Distinction and Honors in Research. She gained frontline experience as a primary care physician while working in Greater Vancouver and at a charitable hospital in rural India. Her Psychiatry training was at the University of British Columbia(Canada) and she completed a Clinical Research Fellowship at the Addiction Research Program- Massachusetts General Hospital/ Harvard University in Boston, USA. Dr. Kang also attended Rutgers University School of Drug and Alcohol Studies in New Jersey, USA and examined global health issues at the World Health Organization, in Geneva, Switzerland. She is a Michael Smith Foundation postdoctoral fellow in Health Services Research (University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University - Canada).

Currently, Dr. Kang is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia where she conducts research and teaching. She has been involved in studying assessment and treatment issues for those with alcohol and serious drug dependencies. She was the principal investigator for the BC Children's and Women's Hospital Site of the Methamphetamine Psychosis Research Study. She was a sub- Investigator for an FDA Phase III Study for alcohol treatment (depot naltrexone) and participated in the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Validity Study (National Institute of Drug Abuse). Dr. Kang was a certified medical therapist and instructor for the COMBINE (National Institute of Alcohol and Alcoholism) National Study (the largest study on alcohol dependence to date).

As a result of her endeavors, Dr. Kang has received five national awards in the field of addictions and mental health including the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry Research Award and an American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Award.  She is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

As one of Canada's few physicians trained in Motivational Interviewing, Dr. Kang is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. She trains extensively in the area of motivation, facilitating positive change, dealing with resistance, apathy, and ambivalence, and promoting healthy behaviors.

Currently, Dr. Kang is the Medical Director of Child and Youth Mental Health for Vancouver Coastal Health. She is the consulting psychiatrist to the Provincial Women's Reproductive Mental Health Program at BC Women's Hospital. In these programs, she treats youth and pregnant women/new mothers with complex mental health and addiction issues respectively.

In 2003, Dr. Kang founded the Provincial Youth Concurrent Disorders Program at BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver. This was BC's first and Canada's second program of its kind. It is now Canada’s largest program for youth with mental health and addiction issues. She is noted for incorporating innovative ideas during the program’s creation, including the concurrent focus on treating both mental health and addiction issues, extending the age limit to include transitional age youth (up to age 24), and using engagement and motivation as key strategies to work with youth.

In 2006, Dr. Kang joined the publicly traded Biotech Company Alkermes as a Consulting Medical Director. There, she conducted research on alcohol dependence treatment and communicated with professional and regulatory organizations on issues of alcohol and drug addiction.

More recently, in 2010, Dr. Kang co-founded the Youth, Culture, and Mental Health Fund for the BC Mental Health Foundation. Recognizing the high degrees of stigma and the profound need for mental health education among youth, Dr. Kang turned her efforts towards early identification and intervention for youth and young adults. She joined the Board of the BC Mental Health Foundation as a Director in August 2011 to further enhance this mission.

Dr. Kang has published numerous articles, book chapters, manuals, and monographs in the area of alcohol dependence, addictions, youth and women's mental health, motivation, and cross cultural issues in healthcare.

Among her widespread volunteer activities, she has spent much of her time bringing awareness and reducing the stigma of mental health and addictive disorders through countless public forums and media events. Dr. Kang has a keen interest in promoting and providing health information that is understandable and relevant to the general public.

Dr. Kang has contributed as an invited expert to numerous newspapers, online news, radio shows, and television programs. She is a recognized media specialist in discussing both common and complex conditions such as stress, relationships, motivation, depression, suicide, and addiction.

Currently residing in Vancouver with her 3 children and husband, Dr. Kang enjoys hobbies of yoga, skiing, writing, and going to the beach with her family.