Diversity Dialogue Events

The Diversity Dialogue series facilitated discussion and reflection on issues related to equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice in healthcare practice and research. The series closed in 2022. Any requests to access audio/video recordings can be emailed to medicine.oid@utoronto.ca

Previous Diversity Dialogue Events

Dr. Javeed Sukhera on Healing from Islamophobia - June 7, 2022

Dr. Sukhera's talk acknowledged the 1-year anniversary of the June 6, 2021 London attack, and shared reflections on Islamophobia & the importance of moving from hatred towards healing.

Amy Go: Anti-Asian Racism Across History and Healthcare - April 26, 2022

Amy Go (President of the Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice) shared on the existence of anti-Asian racism within Canada, and its intersections with larger systems of oppression and health inequities.

The 2022 Anti Oppression in Health Care & Sciences: A Learner-Led Symposium - March 11, 2022

At the 2022 Anti-Oppression in Health Care & Sciences Symposium, we heard fantastic learner presentations that challenged oppressive and exclusionary social, institutional, and structural factors that create barriers, and in highlighted the resiliency of patients and learners from marginalized communities.. Learners included U of T Temerty Faculty of Medicine undergraduate, graduate and professional degree students, residents, fellows, post-doctoral fellows, and other trainees.

Professor Irwin Cotler on Contemporary Antisemitism - January 26, 2022

The Honourable Irwin Cotler spoke at Temerty Faculty of Medicine for a virtual Diversity Dialogue. He shared reflections on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is recognized each year on January 27. Designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, this date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Concentration Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. Temerty Medicine is committed to continued dialogue around Holocaust education that will foster a reflective, inclusive culture where we all belong.

Critical Conversations: A Health Care & Sciences Anti-Oppression Podcast by The LEAD Committee - May 25, 2021

Black Mothers' Childbirth Experiences with Cheyenne Scarlett

In this episode, we had the pleasure of chatting with Cheyenne Scarlett, who recently wrote on the childbirth experiences of Black women in the Greater Toronto Area. Her research highlights themes of anti-Black microaggressions and other forms of anti-Black racism that emerged from her interviews with 30 Black mothers. Her research also captured Black mothers’ resilience, and factors which facilitated a positive birthing experience. She has been working with families as well as current and future health care providers to support change in maternity care. Be sure to check out Cheyenne’s Facebook and Instagram @Black.Births.of.Toronto to learn more about her work

The 2021 Anti Oppression in Health Care & Sciences: A Learner-Led Symposium - March 12 & 13, 2021

The 2021 Anti-Oppression in Health Care and Sciences Symposium showcased incredible presentations by learners at the U of T Temerty Faculty of Medicine. The learners presented initiatives and research that uncovered and explored how to dismantle forms of systemic oppression in health care services, research, and education. This symposium was organized by the Faculty of Medicine Learner Equity and Discussion (LEAD) Committee in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine Office of Inclusion and Diversity.

The Coastal GasLink Pipeline and Indigenous Health Strategies of Resistance and Solidarity in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond - June 23, 2020

Speakers discussed the connection between the construction of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline, Indigenous health inequities and acts of solidarity that university faculty and students have taken in support of the Wet'suwet'en land defenders.

Resisting Anti-East Asian Racism During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond - May 27, 2020

This panel event aimed to raise awareness about COVID-19-related racism and xenophobia, contextualize the violence occurring as an extension of historical acts of anti-East Asian racism in Canada, and provide tools of resistance, allyship and coalition building. Moderated by Dr. Arno Kumagai, panelists included Dr. Kenneth Fung, Mr. Jeffrey Andrion, Ms. Avvy Go and Mr. Steven (Sung Min) Cho.

Racism, Queerphobia, Ableism & The De/Pathologization of Intersex - April 3, 2020

This Lunch and Learn event invited Dr. Celeste Orr to break down how intersex studies can identify and develop the necessary tools to combat the ableism that underpins compulsory dyadism, the pathologization of intersex, and intersex medical management. She calls for a crip intersex approach that attends to the fact that Western dyadic sex categories and intersex medical management are supported by intersecting racist, colonial, queerphobic, and ableist ideologies.

How Do We Talk About Race? - January 21, 2020

Featuring presentations, a panel discussion and community dialogue, this event provided health care practitioners, learners, researchers and staff with tools and frameworks to discuss race. In order to achieve cultural safety and inclusion in health care services, research and education, it is vital to understand how race, power and privilege operate in these spaces. Panellists explored the topics of systemic racism and the process of racialization as they relate to health inequities and learner experiences. This event was held in partnership with the U of T Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education.

Accessibility, Action and Inclusion Panel Event - December 3, 2019

In honour of International Day of Persons with Disabilities,  The U of T Faculty of Medicine's Office of Inclusion and Diversity, in partnership with the International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the Canadian Institute of the BIind hosted a panel event to discuss creating accessible spaces in health services, education and sciences.

Let's Talk About Islamophobia in Medicine: An Open Forum - April 6, 2017

Learners, staff members, faculty members at the Faculty of Medicine, and members of the University of Toronto community gathered for an open forum to have a conversation about the issue of Islamophobia in Medicine, and how to work together to create a more inclusive, respectful, and accepting community for all.