Embracing Anti-Racism in Health Care

The Province of BC has officially declared May 23–29, 2023 as Anti-Racism Awareness Week. In collaboration with Providence Health Care and Fraser Health, the REDI Office is organizing a series of events and resources to commemorate this important week and foster anti-racism action across the healthcare sector in BC.

The highlight of the week will be the moderated panel discussion “Embracing Anti-Racism in Health Care” on Thursday, May 25, 12–1:30 pm. The purpose of this panel is to shift the focus from mere awareness of racism to concrete anti-racism actions. The panel discussion will focus on practical ways we can promote anti-racism in our healthcare environments, education, and research.

Transformation, Inspiration and Guidance: Celebrating 20 Years of Indigenous Excellence in Medicine

Join us virtually on Wednesday, May 17 from 12–1:30 pm for a conversation with James Andrew, a member of Lil’wat Nation’s Mount Currie Band and the Associate Director of Indigenous Initiatives at the Faculty of Medicine.

James Andrew has been a source of inspiration and guidance in helping to create and transform the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Indigenous MD Admissions Pathway. In 2022, the Faculty of Medicine community celebrated 20 years of the Pathway as well as the Indigenous Family Medicine Residency Program, and over this time period more than 120 Indigenous doctors have graduated and are now serving communities across the province as family doctors, surgeons, pediatricians and more.

Disrupting the Status Quo: Intersecting Inequities Impacting Women in the Faculty of Medicine and Opportunities for Change

Register for the second REDI Annual Symposium, held online on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 from 9:30 am–1:30 pm. The event keynote speaker is Dr. Terri Aldred, and will feature Derek Thompson, Dr. Bonita Sawatzky, Dr. Brittany Bingham, Dr. Tal Jarus, Dr. Tatiana Sotindjo, Nasim Peikazadi, Sonia Medel, Dr. Maria Hubinette and Dr. Neila Miled.

Hear their perspectives on leadership, opportunities and barriers in the context of health professions practice, education and research. We will centre intersectionality and the differentiated experiences of women as we critically examine how current academic systems and hierarchies create additional barriers for women and ideas for change.

Stories

The Men We Need To Become

In recognition of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people, Derek Thompson – Thlaapkiituup, Indigenous Advisor, reflects on his Grandmother’s legacy and the journey through personal and transformative changes.

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. This day raises awareness of the realities of members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities’ lives and to help erase these phobias through understanding.

REDI Word of the Month: Anti-Racism

Anti-racism is the practice of identifying, challenging, preventing, eliminating and changing the values, structures, policies, programs, practices and behaviours that perpetuate racism between individuals and within systems. Anti-racism is characterized by taking action against racism; it is distinct from simply having a disposition of being “not racist.”

Examples: At the individual level, medical professionals can take anti-racist action by building trust with patients from marginalized communities, such as by taking time to listen to their concerns, providing culturally competent care, and acknowledging historical injustice.

At the systems level, medical institutions can take anti-racist action by taking steps to address structural racism, such as by examining their hiring practices, diversifying leadership, and addressing disparities in care.

Recordings

IBPOC Voices: A Conversation with Jorden Hendry

Watch the recording of our conversation with Jorden Hendry. Jorden is Tsimshian/settler and a member of the Lax Kw’alaams band. As a PhD student in the School of Population and Public Health, Jorden studies Indigenous Public Health and the systems that drive health disparities.