SHINING A LIGHT ON THE QEII HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE, ITS STAFF, VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS
SUMMER 2023
INCLUSIVE CARE
A QEII FOUNDATION PUBLICATION IN ASSOCIATION WITH SALTWIRE
YOUR QEII
Syria to Nova Scotia: a future in health care 3
New facility brings care closer to home
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Tackling the eating disorder crisis
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RESEARCH & INNOVATION
New technology revolutionizes cancer care 9
Improving surgery with augmented reality
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Paulette Jackson’s (left) journey through Nova Scotia’s healthcare system was fraught with challenges. The Nova Scotia Sisterhood offered her a safe space, empathy and a sense of belonging, transforming her health journey into an empowering experience. Nova Scotia Sisterhood wellness navigator Elizabeth Nkrumah (centre) and Duane Winter (right), Nova Scotia Brotherhood community coordinator, are working to provide culturally sensitive and comprehensive health services to Black residents and communities across the province. Contributed
Providing culturally appropriate care Nova Scotia Sisterhood and Brotherhood tackle healthcare disparities for Black communities
BMO Ride for Cancer funds lifesaving therapy
By Brandon Young 12
ALSO Lifesaving legacies
How We Are Legends transform health care Page 4-5
Improving access to care
New funding to support more clinical trials in the province Page 11
Imagine a healthcare experience tailored to your unique cultural background—one where you feel understood, supported and empowered. While this is a given for many patients, for Black communities in Nova Scotia, historical barriers and systemic racism have made accessing quality health care a challenge. Two ground-breaking initiatives, the Nova Scotia Brotherhood and Nova Scotia Sisterhood, are making significant strides to address this disparity by providing culturally sensitive and comprehensive health services to Black residents and communities across the province. Their programs and services include primary medical care and health and wellness services, such as health promotion, wellness education, clinical therapy, chronic disease management and navigation to community resources. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, screening for health conditions, nutrition and physical activity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and mental health and addictions. The Nova Scotia Brotherhood was established in 2015
“They were making such a great attempt to create that safety net or that umbrella for women to reach out to make sure that we know that our health is important.” – Paulette Jackson
through a partnership between Nova Scotia Health and the Health Association of African Canadians, in response to the growing prevalence of chronic health conditions among Black men in the region. “A lot of these guys passed away in their early 40s from things that could be prevented by going to a doctor,” says Nova Scotia Brotherhood community coordinator Duane Winter. Realizing the need for a women-focused program, the Sisterhood followed suit in January 2023, creating a safe space for Black women to discuss health issues. The program tackles many of the same health conditions the Brotherhood sees but with a woman-centric perspective. “The program has been very well received,” says Elizabeth Nkrumah, wellness navigator for the Sisterhood. “Some women say, ‘it’s been long overdue.’”
A REAL STRUGGLE Born in Antigua and Ghana respectively, Duane and Elizabeth both identify as members of the African diaspora. Through their lived experiences and through hearing accounts of other Black people, they understand the complexities Black residents face when trying to access health care. One similarity both programs observed is a reluctance to access health care due to a more insidious issue—systemic racism—which has discriminated against Black men and women, resulting in subpar treatment in medical settings. “As Black people going into a hospital, we’re treated very differently,” says Duane. “People have to stop judging people by the colour of their skin.” The Brotherhood and Sisterhood, headquartered on Mumford Road in Halifax,
operate clinics in several communities, including Hammonds Plains and Preston Township. As recognized Nova Scotia Health initiatives, they offer a range of health and wellness services tailored to the needs of people of African ancestry. “There's been a lot of mistrust in the healthcare system based on things that have been done in the past, especially when it comes to racism,” says Elizabeth, a former forensic mental health nurse. “So, the work of the Sisterhood and Brotherhood is to build trust back into the healthcare system.” FOR US, BY US APPROACH The Sisterhood and Brotherhood use an Afrocentric lens to embrace the diverse cultures and traditions of the people they serve. All team members are Black, which helps build trust with patients. “When you walk into our space, we embrace what you're bringing,” says Elizabeth. “We embrace how you want to be identified, how you want to be treated, how you want to be respected.” INCLUSIVE CARE – Page 2