Dr. Katherine McKenzie

Dr. Katherine C. McKenzie, MD, FACP, is an associate professor at Yale School of Medicine and the founder and director of the Yale Center for Asylum Medicine (YCAM). With a deep commitment to human rights and healthcare advocacy, she specializes in forensic medical evaluations for asylum seekers. Her work plays a critical role in documenting human rights abuses and supporting vulnerable populations seeking refuge in the United States.

At YCAM, Dr. McKenzie conducts forensic evaluations both at Yale and in detention facilities, providing expert testimony in immigration court on behalf of asylum seekers. She collaborates with law schools, human rights organizations, and attorneys to ensure medical evidence is used effectively in asylum cases. In addition to her clinical and forensic work, she leads training programs in asylum medicine, mentoring clinicians across North America and advocating for the integration of asylum healthcare within medical education.

Beyond her role at Yale, Dr. McKenzie serves as an expert advisor for Physicians for Human Rights and sits on the boards of multiple organizations, including the Society for Refugee Healthcare Providers, Project Access New Haven, and Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services. She is also a founding director of the Society of Asylum Medicine, a network dedicated to advancing best practices in forensic evaluations and medical-legal partnerships. Her advocacy extends to civil litigation, policy reform, and public education on asylum and refugee health.

Dr. McKenzie is a widely published author, contributing to leading medical journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and the British Medical Journal. Her expertise has also been featured in major media outlets, including Time Magazine and CNN, where she sheds light on asylum and detention issues. Her dedication to medical education has been recognized through numerous teaching awards, including the Leonard B. Tow Award for Humanism in Medicine and the Faculty Award for Achievement in Clinical Care.

A lifelong advocate for human rights, Dr. McKenzie’s work bridges medicine and justice, ensuring that the voices of asylum seekers are heard through meticulous medical documentation and compassionate care. At the International Refugee and Migration Health Conference, she will share her expertise on asylum medicine, the ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers, and the ongoing challenges faced by displaced populations seeking safety and stability.