Reflecting on Black History Month 2022
February 1, 2022
Black Canadians have always been trailblazers in healthcare and medicine.
For centuries, the midwives of African Nova Scotian communities modeled holistic care and well-being for the families they supported.
In 1861, Dr. Anderson Ruffin Abbot made history as the first Black Canadian-born doctor to graduate from the Toronto School of Medicine, an institute that preceded the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. His supervisor, Dr. Alexander Thomas Augusta, was U of T’s first Black medical student, graduating with a bachelor of medicine degree in 1856 from Trinity College.
In 1995, Black History Month in Canada began, thanks to the efforts of Rosemary Sadlier, president of the Ontario Black History Society, and Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to federal Parliament.
Part of Black History Month is not only looking to the past for examples of change-makers, but recognizing that the future is now.
It’s integral to recognize Black excellence within our community at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, as well as across the University of Toronto.
There are countless examples of Temerty Medicine learners, staff and faculty accomplishing exceptional work in their fields.
One specific highlight is the launch of the University of Toronto Black Research Network in October 2021, co-founded by Dr. Lisa Robinson, Temerty Medicine’s Vice Dean of Strategy and Operations.
The Faculty recognizes the need for continuous critical dialogue from all levels of our institutions to address unacceptable forms of discrimination, recognizing its adverse effects on the wellness of Black learners, staff, faculty, and patients.
It also means acknowledging that structural racism within medicine still exists today.
Anti-Black racism continues to persist within health systems, and the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded its harmful effects on Black Canadians.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario created the Black Health Vaccine Initiative.
Temerty Medicine faculty members have helped lead this initiative, which has aimed to increase vaccination rates to address gaps in COVID-19 health outcomes for Black Canadians.
The Faculty’s upcoming Anti-Black Racism in Medical Education report will provide an overview of work done at Temerty Medicine to combat anti-Black racism so far.
The information shared within the report will acknowledge steps made, and will reiterate the commitments Temerty Medicine is making to improve the experience of Black community members.
We encourage all members of the Faculty to reflect on how they can eradicate forms of anti-Black racism.
Please reflect on what your active role is in the process.
The following resources can assist you:
- U of T Anti-Black Racism Task Force Report
- Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education: Principles, Actions, and Accountabilities
- U of T Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office trainings and workshops
Dr. Patricia Houston
Acting Dean
Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Dr. Lisa Richardson
Associate Dean, Inclusion & Diversity
Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Dr. Onyenyechukwu (Onye) Nnorom
Black Health Theme Lead
Temerty Faculty of Medicine