About
The primary aim of this symposium is to stimulate learning and discussion by those who will be working in health care, policy, and research towards greater equity and health outcomes for all. We also hope to support students in healthcare-related programs in their development as ‘health advocates’, one of the core CanMEDS competencies for future physicians.
Due to the unprecedented circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the 2020 edition of this symposium will be hosted as a virtual speaker series on Wednesday evenings in October and November. Given the online format, we are presented the opportunity of hearing from health advocates far and wide.
We hope our symposium will continue to be an opportunity to explore the skills needed for effective advocacy, ideas around why and how to advocate responsibly, various shapes and forms of health-related advocacy, and the myriad possible roles of health professionals (as care providers, administrators, researchers, policy makers, etc.) in working to enable and restore health at the individual, community, and international levels.
Note: An IPE Exposure Credit is available for McMaster students attending this event! For more information, please visit the PIPER website.
Speakers
Health Advocacy in Hamilton - OCTOBER 7
Learn about health activism taking place in the Hamilton area, related to issues including youth mental health, environmental justice, and sex worker rights. Speakers will share insights from their own journeys in activism, as well as strategies for organizing for change.
DON MAHLEKA
Don Mahleka (he/him) is based on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabeg in Hamilton. He’s experienced in anti-racism/anti-oppression training, community-based research and policy development. Don has experience co-hosting international, national and Hamilton city-wide youth mental health conferences. He co-founded Revolutionary Lives, a local youth mental health radio show that engaged and empowered youth voices from high schools and post-secondary institutions. The radio show team hosted city-wide youth mental health conferences advocating for a city-wide youth mental health strategy focusing on addressing barriers in accessing health/social services faced by BIPOC youth. Don has served as Strategic Advisor to the Chief Public Health Officer and has also served on several nonprofit boards like Hamilton Community Legal Clinic and African Canadian Network of Hamilton. Don is currently on the Executive Advisory Committee for the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s development of a national mental health standard for post- secondary institutions. He’s also providing advisory support developing CAMH’s Harm Reduction Resource and CAMH Recovery College courses/workshops. Don currently represents St. Joseph’s Youth Wellness Centre as a member of the Child and Youth Service Sector Committee’s Equity Work Group which provides an equity lens for Hamilton child/youth serving agencies.
DANIELLE BOISSONEAU
Danielle Boissoneau is Anishnaabekwe from the shorelines of the Great Lakes. She is a multidisciplinary artist who writes and performs her stories. Most recently, her writing has been published in the Indigenous Storytellers issue of GRAIN Magazine. She's performed at Banff Centre for the Arts and the Celebration of Nations gathering at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catherine's. Danielle is also a Water Walker and a member of Nibi Awan Bimaadiziwiin whose story has been covered by Chatelaine Magazine. She is a mother, a seedkeeper and an avid gardener.
SEX WORKERS' ACTION PROGRAM OF HAMILTON
The Sex Workers’ Action Program of Hamilton is a non-partisan group consisting of concerned individuals —including those with lived experience— agencies, and groups committed to assisting and supporting those working in the sex trade industry. SWAP Hamilton will be a community where sex workers will have a voice, be recognized as valuable members of society, and will have access to community resources that respectfully provide safety, support and choices that foster well-being. People involved in sex work experience the damaging impact of discrimination, societal stigma, violence, crime, and poverty. SWAP Hamilton recognizes the importance of the community working together to support sex workers. The main focus of SWAP Hamilton will be to provide outreach support to street-involved workers, those entering or leaving the industry, and including victims of trafficking. We focus our efforts towards harm reduction and to provide compassionate care. This includes but is not limited to providing supplies for safer sex, Naloxone/Narcan kits for those who may use opioids, direction towards local mental health, housing, childcare, clothing, and food resources, curated occupational health and safety protocols, personal advocacy, interactive workshops, and public awareness campaigns.
Anti-Black Racism in Healthcare - OCTOBER 14
Hear how insights from critical race theory can inform our understanding and activism related to racism, equity, and justice in the context of health and healthcare. Panelists will share insights from research and personal experience.
KEISHA JEFFERIES
Keisha Jefferies is a Toronto-based African Nova Scotian woman, born and raised in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. She is a registered nurse and PhD candidate in the School of Nursing at Dalhousie University. Her research examines the leadership experiences of African Nova Scotian nurses and the implications for nursing practice and education. Her scholarly and advocacy work focus on addressing anti-Black racism in nursing, equitable admissions in post-secondary institutions and social justice at large. Keisha has clinical and policy experience in the areas of neonatal intensive care and breastfeeding. She is a Junior Fellow with the MacEachen Institute of Public Policy and Governance at Dalhousie. Lastly, her research is funded and supported by Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier-CGS), Killam Trust, Research Nova Scotia, Johnson Scholarship Foundation, BRIC NS and the Faculty of Graduate Studies and School of Nursing at Dalhousie.
GAËLLE NYAMUSHARA & SAMIHAH PATEL
Midwifery Students of Colour/ Étudiants Sage-femmes de Couleur (MSOC.ESFC) is committed to supporting Black, Indigenous and other racialized individuals to enter and thrive in midwifery education, with the goal of ultimately enhancing maternal health for BIPOC communities. We offer and facilitate emotional peer support to BIPOC midwifery students, as well as offering learning opportunities related to birth work, anti-racism, anti-oppression and allyship. One of our primary mandates is to promote the decolonization of Midwifery programs, and we are actively working to have anti-racist and anti-oppressive changes implemented in midwifery curriculums.
DR. JOSEPH MPALIRWA
Joseph Mpalirwa (He/him) is a first generation Canadian, a Rwandan-born, Kenyan-raised and Tkaronto-based Black man. He is a brother, a son and an uncle to two lovely nieces. He is also a musician, a family physician and inpatient physician at Casey House, Canada’s first standalone hospital for people with HIV/AIDs. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology at McGill university before completing medical school and residency at the University of Toronto. His research highlights the experiences of racism and discrimination of Black physicians in Ontario.
Video message from DR. ONYE NNOROM
Dr. Onye Nnorom is a Family Doctor and a Public Health & Preventive Medicine specialist. She is the Associate Program Director of the Public Health & Preventive Medicine Residency Program at the University of Toronto, and is the Black Health Theme Lead for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. As the Black Health Theme Lead, she is tasked with developing educational content for teaching medical students about Black Canadian health, and inequities due to systemic racism. She is also a clinical consultant for the Nicotine Dependence Clinic at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
She is the President of the Black Physicians' Association of Ontario. She was also the chronic disease prevention lead at TAIBU Community Health Centre, where she led a number of successful cancer screening initiatives. Most recently she has taken the role as the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, within the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. And she is the host of a podcast called Race, Health and Happiness where she interviews successful Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, providing wisdom on how to stay well in a “racialized world”.
Dr. Nnorom completed her medical degree at McGill University and then completed a Masters of Public Health (Epidemiology) and residency training at the University of Toronto. Being of Nigerian and Trinidadian heritage, she is particularly interested in Black community health and wellness, and racism as a social determinant of health.
Facilitated by KIKA OTIONO
Kika Otiono is a second-year medical student at McMaster University and serves as the inaugural Director of Advocacy and Representation for the Black Medical Students' Association of Canada (BMSAC) Before medical school, she completed a B.A. Open Studies with a Minor in Biology at Carleton University, where she took classes in literature, religion, art history, philosophy, classics, and general biology. She spends most of her free time thinking about books, justice and liberation, naps, and her houseplants.
Perspectives on Indigenous Health - OCTOBER 21
In The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, calls to justice included ensuring all care workers were educated about historical and ongoing processes of colonialism. In this panel, hear from folks involved with developing and implementing this education about their work, its tensions and its triumphs.
MELISSA LEWIS
Melissa Lewis, PhD, is an assistant professor at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. She partners with indigenous communities to revitalize traditional lifeways that can ameliorate the negative effects of colonization, thereby improving health and well-being. By revitalizing traditional beliefs, activities, culture and language, native communities are healing themselves from historical loss and trauma.
In her research, Dr. Lewis has partnered with communities to create training protocols for mental and medical health professionals to provide better care for indigenous patients and clients. She also partners with her own tribe, Cherokee Nation, to evaluate and co‐create programs aimed to reduce cardiovascular disease by harnessing the power of cultural learning.
CHASE MCMURREN
Chase Everett McMurren, MD, is a queer, Indigenous, harp-playing home-visiting physician for long-living elders, and a psychotherapist for artists. He is the Theme Lead for Indigenous Medical Education in the MD Program and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is a member of the Turtle Clan, and is training as a nâtawihôwêw* [not-a-way-who-ee-oo], or Medicine Man (*in Michif).
Black Student Advocacy in the Health Sciences: Stories & Lessons - OCTOBER 28
Presented in collaboration with the Black Medical Students’ Association of Canada, this facilitated roundtable discussion will feature Black student leaders from across the health sciences discussing strategies for building sustainable movements, and lessons learned through advocacy intended to reimagine and remake health care spaces. *This event is open to BIPOC folks only.*
In Collaboration with the Black Medical Students' Association of Canada
The Black Medical Students’ Association of Canada; Association Canadienne des Étudiants Noirs en Médecine (BMSAC) is a student-led organization with the mission of creating a collaborative network of Black medical students across Canada.
KAYONNE CHRISTY
Kayonne Christy is a second year sociology MA student at the University of British Columbia. Her research interests exist in the nexus between race, gender, class, and health. She is particularly interested in the social/structural determinants of health, and the interplay between social and health inequities. During her time at McMaster, she was a vocal anti-carding activist, a convener of the Race, Racialization & Racism working group of McMaster’s President’s Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community, a member of the Afro-Caribbean Canadian Association of Hamilton, and a board member of the Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre. She is the co-founder of the McMaster Womanists, the Black Aspiring Physicians of McMaster, and Grad Schooling While Black. Presently, Kayonne is a research trainee with UBC’s Women’s Health Research Cluster, a member of the Canadian Jamaican Medical Assistance Society, and a mentor with Uof T’s Research Assistance Support Initiative and UBC’s Sociology Mentorship program. Kayonne is passionate about using her research as a tool for social change.
Facilitated by KIKA OTIONO
Kika Otiono is a second-year medical student at McMaster University and serves as the inaugural Director of Advocacy and Representation for the Black Medical Students' Association of Canada (BMSAC) Before medical school, she completed a B.A. Open Studies with a Minor in Biology at Carleton University, where she took classes in literature, religion, art history, philosophy, classics, and general biology. She spends most of her free time thinking about books, justice and liberation, naps, and her houseplants.
IKU NWOSU
Iku grew up in MIssissauga, Ontario and attended McMaster for her undergrad in Health Sciences. She is now a part of the MD Class of 2022 at Queen's University, where she is the 2022 Class Co-President. She is also a Co-Director of Communications for the Black Medical Students’ Association of Canada.
SEMIR BULLE
Semir Bulle is currently a 3rd year medical student at the University of Toronto and is the former Co-President of the Black Medical Student Association. Growing up in the Dixon-Rexdale area, Semir was raised in a community filled with newly landed immigrants and refugees which directly motivated his longitudinal commitment to the organization of his community, and an emphasis on the improvement of material conditions of the marginalized. His work within the Ethiopian diaspora has recognized him with the Bikila Foundation award and a position as the executive chair of the Bikila Youth Council. Semir has also co-led the initiative “Mental Health in the Black Community: A Speaker Series” which aims to create spaces for the community to collectively educate themselves, form long lasting partnerships, develop solidarity and create increasingly powerful networks. This has led to a large community support system with several hundred committed members, where resources can be easily disseminated and mobilization can rapidly occur. Additionally, he is the official liaison for the Canadian Doctors’ for protection against guns, and he has strong ties to the zero gun violence movement, and is the co-founder of Doctors for Defunding Police which has made Semir an expert correspondent for the Toronto Star, CBC and other news organizations in the city of Toronto.
ELISA LEVI
After several years in the non-profit sector strengthening Indigenous Peoples health and the reclamation of Indigenous Food Systems, Elisa is complementing this experience studying medicine at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster. She contributes her leadership as a community elected Trustee for her First Nation, Chippewas of Nawash and as a Board Director for the Anishnawbe Health Foundation. As a Registered Dietitian, Elisa holds a Master of Public Health from Lakehead and BaSc from Ryerson University.
Testimonials
Mac Health Advocacy Symposium was stimulating, engaging, and an all-around great experience! Come if you’re interested in getting involved in advocacy work and learning from people leading exciting initiatives in the area, no matter what discipline/profession you are from.
— MD Candidate, Class of 2018
Motivating, inspiring, organized beautifully. I loved the progression of speakers; it was logical and supportive of our growth as advocates. It has allowed me to be more critical of my advocacy/activism techniques and biases.
— MD Candidate, Class of 2016
The speakers and workshops had excellent, on-point, focused, relevant topics that were valuable. Having a wide variety of speakers with different & practical experiences gives valuable insight into how advocacy can be practiced. The food and environment/classrooms were also excellent.
— MSc (Global Health) Candidate
We do not have to wait until we are fully licensed professionals in order to make some tangible change and push forward with collaborating with other areas of healthcare. The opportunities are out there right now to participate in building a stronger community locally in Hamilton as well as in the more broad region.
— MHAS Attendee, 2018
Past Events
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Sponsors
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Accessibility
The Health Advocacy Symposium is committed to hosting an event that is accessible to people with a variety of abilities and disabilities, people of all gender identities, and people of all socioeconomic statuses.
We welcome you to get in touch if an accessibility-related measure could support your participation in this symposium! Please let us know if you will need ASL interpretation, accessible parking, any material in advance, or any other accessibility-related measure on the Google Form registration form or by contacting Alice Cavanagh, symposium co-chair, at alice.cavanagh@medportal.ca. The earlier you contact us, the more likely it is we will be able to meet all of your needs.
Note: The ChromeVox extension can be used as a screen reader with this website in the Google Chrome browser.
Platform
The seventh annual Symposium will be held on Zoom. Links will be provided to registrants over email 24 hours before the start time.
Accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing participants
Closed captioning will be provided in real time throughout each session. Recordings will be posted with a full transcript. If you require ASL interpretation to participate in the question and answer period of the panels, please email us as soon as possible. and we will do our best to arrange this.
We request that participants do their best to respect others’ pronouns — for information on what pronouns are and how to make sure we’re all using the right pronouns for other people, check out this link: http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/11/pronoun-etiquette/.
