Dr. Richard Lester


Associate Professor

Division of Infectious Diseases, Medicine

Faculty of Medicine, UBC

Dr. Richard Lester completed his research fellowship in HIV in Kenya at the University of Manitoba and University of Nairobi collaborative, where he initiated development of an innovative mobile phone health (mHealth) service that was demonstrated in a landmark trial, WelTel Kenya1 (Lancet 2010 ), to improve HIV outcomes funded by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

WelTel NFP is the recipient of Grand Challenges Canada phase I & II awards for transitioning the mHealth service to scale in remote Kenya. Since the WelTel service and model have been introduced into the Canadian and other healthcare systems.

Dr. Lester has ongoing studies internationally and within Canada, has consulted on mHealth innovations with the World Health Organization for HIV, TB & tobacco control, and is a CIHR Foundation Scheme recipient and Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar.

First Nations land acknowledegement

Action on Sepsis operates on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples — xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We invite everyone to reflect on the traditional territories and land that they currently work and live on.


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