About this talk
Child Rights Physician Joseph Shin has been working with asylum seekers who have been harmed by targeted violence and human rights abuses. At TEDMED 2020, Joseph explained that careful medical evidence documentation of human rights abuses can inform the courts and affirm the need for protection for displaced populations who may be victims of gang activity and police corruption. Joseph’s research has implications for how we offer care and assistance to the rising number of asylum seekers at our borders and in our communities.
Watch Joseph’s Talk “How doctors can help fix the broken US asylum system,” for a sobering reality of our courts and immigration systems and for solutions for a hopeful future with an end to human rights abuses.
About Joseph Shin
See more
Dr. Joseph Shin is a public health advocate and physician-researcher dedicated to protecting the rights and health of marginalized populations. As an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and a member of the Cornell Center for Health Equity, he focuses on elevating the voices of survivors of torture, asylum seekers, and others who have experienced human rights abuses. Joseph uses his medical expertise to perform forensic medical evaluations, which are detailed exams that document physical and psychological evidence of abuse. This work provides crucial support for legal cases and helps to hold abusers accountable. At the core of his approach is the creation of partnerships between medical and legal organizations, combining different areas of expertise to advance justice and improve health outcomes. He previously served as the Co-Medical Director at the Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights, where he oversaw programs for medical evaluations, training, and research. Joseph is also a member of the Physicians for Human Rights Asylum Network and has received awards for his work, including the Legal Aid Society’s Pro Bono Publico Award.
