The Faculty of Medicine REDI Office presents: Black lives, Black voices and Black identities in the Faculty of Medicine

To commemorate Black History Month and as part of REDI’s commitment to amplifying IBPOC voices, we invite you to join our panel “Black lives, Black voices and Black identities in the Faculty of Medicine” on Friday, February 17th, 2023, from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (PST).

 

This virtual event is part of the IBPOC Voices, a new monthly series led by Dr. Neila Miled the anti-racism Advisor.

IBPOC Voices is an opportunity to meet and have a conversation with guests who identify as Indigenous, Black and people of color. This series centers IBPOC experiences and knowledge, and highlights how they navigate the different challenges and how they engage with equity, diversity and inclusion. It is also a space where guests talk about their vision of an equitable and just environment. This series is an opportunity to open spaces where we know each other more and create a sense of community because “We are fully dependent on each other for the possibility of being understood and without this understanding we are not intelligible, we do not make sense, we are not solid, visible, integrated; we are lacking. So, travelling to each other’s “worlds” would enable us to be through loving each other” (Maria Lugones)

Panelists

  • Donneil McNab, Black Student Initiatives Manager, MD Undergraduate Program and Admissions
  • Dr. Felix Durity, Professor Emeritus and past Head of the Division of Neurosurgery
  • Gbolahan Olarewaju, MD Candidate 2023
  • Dr. Tatiana Sotindjo, Adolescent Medicine Specialist BCCH and Hudson Equity Diversity and Inclusion Scholar in the Department of Pediatrics
  • Dr. Tex Kissoon, Executive Medical Director, Children’s and Women’s Global Health
  • Dr. Michael Schwandt, Medical Health Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health, Assistant Clinical Professor School of Population and Public Health

Moderator

  • Dr. Neila Miled – Anti-Racism Advisor

Description

Black History Month 2023: Experience and Identity


Since 1995 Canada has celebrated Black History month to focus on recognizing the daily contributions of Black Canadians in shaping Canada’s identity. An interesting question to consider is how being Black has shaped the identity and experience of Black people in our Faculty as they strive for meaningful engagement and belonging.


This year on February 17th, the Faculty of Medicine is honoured to host a panel discussion that will provide a space for an important conversation about the experiences of Black members of the Faculty and the challenges they face to find belonging. Our discussion recognizes that there is no single “Black Experience” that can explain identity development for all Black men and women.


The panel will be moderated by Dr. Neila Miled, Anti-racism Advisor in the office Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. This event is part of REDI’s monthly series, IBPOC Voices, hosted by Dr. Miled and broadcast across the Faculty. This series features conversations with IBPOC members of the Faculty to both highlight and promote diversity in our community.


Dr. Miled will invite panelists to reflect on their Black identity and how this has shaped their personal narrative – their education journey, work experiences and sense of belonging. A question and answer period will provide an opportunity to explore the ways non-Black members of our community can work in solidarity and allyship to create a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment for everyone working and learning in our community.


Topic: Black lives, Black voices and Black identities in the Faculty of Medicine

Date: Friday, February 17th, 2023

Time: 12:00 – 1:30 pm PST


What Will I Learn?

You will learn more about IBPOC experiences and knowledge, and how IBPOC navigate the different challenges and engage with equity, diversity and inclusion.