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Dr. Anne-Mary Abe, Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry Physician

“I have lived and worked across three continents and had the opportunity to be part of a diverse wealth of Black culture.

These experiences exposed me to the shared suffering from racial inequality. Being a Black physician, I have been able to observe firsthand how this racial inequality extends to health-care settings for patients, learners and staff.   

Black History Month celebrations can serve as a positive way to recognize this and are a time to reflect on how people of all backgrounds can promote equity in our health-care system. It is an opportunity to consider how we can support visible minorities, so that they feel they equally belong in the workplace and have a voice that is as impactful as everyone else’s.”

Dania Burton, Pharmacist Team Leader, Residency Coordinator and Clinical Pharmacist

“During Black History Month (and every day) I pause and thank my ancestors for their strength, wisdom, resilience and love which has allowed me the freedom to pursue and live the beautiful life I have today.

I know that racism still exists, but many times it is hidden and unknown by those not having to deal with the consequences. I recall an interaction I had with a patient who refused my advice because of my appearance and demanded to speak with the white student I was training. I remember ducking behind the counter whispering advice to my student to ensure that patient still received the best care possible.

I believe that health is our most valuable asset, so it is disturbing that Black patients are experiencing poorer health outcomes due to health inequality.

I am encouraged by the fact that we are having more discussions around equitable care and cultural competency, and excited to take the necessary steps to ensure that every patient and practitioner is treated equally.”

Ron Drummond, Executive Director, Capital Projects and Facility Management

“Black History Month is a personal time for reflection, celebration and responsibility.

As a senior engineer and executive director in the health-care sector, I am acutely aware of the power of representation and the ripple effects it creates. I recall, with pride, one of my first co-op positions reporting to a bright (and funny) Black engineer. I left that work term inspired with a feeling of possibility and progress, that far outweighed the technical lessons I learned.

These types of opportunities are both a blessing and a burden. My experience as both a mentee and mentor is that to be Black often means navigating a delicate balance between being an individual and carrying the collective hopes, struggles and successes of many. In a field where diversity has historically been underrepresented, I hope that the increasing presence of talented individuals from different backgrounds in senior leadership is both a testament to the gains made and a reminder of the work that remains.

Specific to health care, this work means reinforcing the importance of challenging inequities within the systems we serve. Disparities in outcomes and access disproportionately affect Black and other marginalized communities, and I believe it is our responsibility to address these gaps with urgency and intentionality. As a free and just society, we should be striving to build systems that reflect the dignity and humanity of all people.”

Faith Izevbizua, Research Administrative Coordinator

“I was born and brought up in Nigeria, a very diverse country in western Africa with over 100 languages and many tribes, and immigrated to Ottawa in 2022. Coming from somewhere where nearly everyone is Black to a country like Canada where you’re more conspicuous has been a bit of an adjustment for me!

I think Black History Month is an opportunity for people to really understand who we are. When it comes to Africa, for example, what you see in the media here often focuses poverty and does not tell the whole story. In fact, many of those like myself who immigrate to Canada are educated, highly skilled professionals, selected specifically because of the expertise and knowledge we bring to the Canadian workforce.

For anyone who has a Black colleague on their team, I think this month is an opportunity to learn more about where they’re coming from and what they have to share. There’s so much we can do to improve and optimize our health-care system – and I truly believe we have the human resources to do it, if we take the time to listen.”

Kaywana Malcolm, Registered Nurse

“Black History Month is significant to me as a person of Jamaican birth. Growing up in Canada, it was the only time I felt I had a voice and a story to tell.

As a Registered Nurse in the Mental Health Department at The Ottawa Hospital, I am passionate about providing equitable mental health care. My journey has been shaped by the resilience and strength of the Black community, and I am committed to giving back.

Through a fellowship from the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, I can focus on educating the Black community about psychosis, emphasizing early intervention and improving pathways to care and treatment outcomes. With the support of my department’s leaders, I aim to be an asset to the Black community, ensuring access to necessary mental health supports.

I recognize the importance of my role in fostering understanding and breaking down barriers. Black History Month inspires me to advocate for change and contribute positively to the well-being of the Black community in The Ottawa Hospital and beyond.”