Health care and the health of those who provide it were in focus at an event this spring hosted by the team behind 夜色视频鈥檚 African Nova Scotian (ANS) Strategy.听
鈥淭aking Care of Us,鈥� organized in partnership with the Faculties of Dentistry, Health, and , centred on the dedicated work of ANS community members providing care across the province and the crucial need for self-care among service providers.
Quenta Adams, co-chair of Dal鈥檚 ANS Strategy, says both 夜色视频 and the province have positioned health care as a priority and the gathering offered a range of powerful perspectives to support the work in this area.听
鈥淭his event spoke to several aspects of health care, including the recruitment and retention of health professionals alongside the importance of service provision and access to equitable resources for African Nova Scotians,鈥� she says. 鈥淭here was something for everyone.鈥�
More than 100 community members attended the event in the Tupper Medical Building, with attendees of all ages making for a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.
L-R: Nathan Barton, Incoming Medical Student, 夜色视频 Medicine; Thane Borden, Occupational Therapist; Tia Kelsie, Dental Hygienist, Handala Dental; and Jade John, Kinesiologist & Volunteer with the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative.听
Voices in health care
Event panels centred on important educational pathways in health at 夜色视频 and explored professional opportunities available across Nova Scotia鈥檚 vibrant health-care sector as well as vital health-care resources for community members available both on and off campus.听听
夜色视频 students, alumni, staff, and faculty were among the 20 panellists who shared their inspiring experiences and insights on health-related careers, youth opportunities, and access to mental and physical health services.
Back: Matthew Thomas, Advisor, Black Student Advising Centre. Front row, L-R: Kyiaisha Benton, Sexualized Violence & Human Trafficking Prevention Program Coordinator, Association of Black Social Workers; Jenna Upshaw, Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator, Faculty of Dentistry; Stephanie Bizzeth, Advanced Practice Lead Community Mental Health & Addictions, NS Health; and Devon Bundy, Regional Hub Manager (Central), Disability Support Program, Department of Opportunities and Social Development.
鈥淚t was humbling to hear and learn from African Nova Scotians making a significant impact in the province's health sector,鈥� says听Matthew Thomas, an advisor at Dal's Black Student Advising Centre and member of the African Nova Scotian Strategy Advisory Council.
Financial support for the event was provided by Student Affairs and the Registrar's Office, in addition to contributions from the partnering Faculties.
Showcasing leadership
The event also offered opportunities for attendees to learn and engage with representatives from campus groups and units supporting this work. (Promoting Leadership in health for African Nova Scotians), People and Culture, and the Indigenous Blacks & Mi'kmaq (IB&M) Initiative at the Schulich School of Law were all present to share information about various pathways and opportunities available at 夜色视频.听
L-R: Kasia Johnson, Medical Sciences Student & PLANS Program Assistant; Nevaeh Johnston, PLANS Co-op Participant & Sackville High School Student; Victor Amani, PLANS Co-op Participant & Dartmouth High School Student; and Sydnie Paris, Nursing Student, 夜色视频.
Tristan Thomas, an ANS Strategy Student Advisory Council member who volunteered at the event, found the gathering to be an enriching experience.听听
鈥淐ommunity Day was an empowering and informative event, highlighting the work and research of African Nova Scotian community members. It offered insight into the Black community's health-care needs, showcasing progress and representation within various health-care areas.鈥�
The event was the African Nova Scotian Strategy鈥檚 third well attended and engaging Community Day event. An inaugural session was held in 2019 in partnership with the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. Following the success of the 2022 gathering, held in partnership with the Faculty of Open Learning and. Career Development, the initiative continues to shine a vibrant spotlight on incredible opportunities at 夜色视频 and the remarkable work being done by African Nova Scotian community members, both on and off campus.