Lynn Ashdown is a patient experience expert who advocates for patients to be included as equal stakeholders in all levels of healthcare. She has a medical degree from The University of Ottawa, and was close to finishing her residency in family medicine when she began, and continues to navigate, a complex journey as a full-time patient. She has a masters degree in medical education, and presents, participates in research, and is a senior patient partner for various organizations, including the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, where she’s Patient Partner-Lead Advisor.

She’s involved in curriculum reform focusing on patient partnerships in medical education as well as improving disability education within medicine. Lynn is a disability advocate for both patients and physicians with disabilities, drawing from her experiences as a patient and person living with multiple disabilities. She sits on the board of directors for the Canadian Association of Physicians with Disabilities, and is investigator and patient partnership lead for the Equity in Health Systems Lab where she co-authored Canada’s first position statement on the importance of disability inclusion within medical education. She’s also working on policy and legislative changes to combat ableism and inequities people living with disabilities encounter both within and outside of healthcare.