02/23/2023
BLACK HISTORY MONTH | Did you know that according to a Statistics Canada study released in 2020, one in three Black women work in the health and social services network? And, among Haitian women, it’s one in two!
“My mother worked as a home support helper then as an orderly. Among the family members of my generation, three of us are nurses, one of whom works in the Far North, and three are orderlies,” says Woodeline Dorlean, a nurse of Haitian descent and Manager, Postnatal and Transition to Community Support Services at St. Mary’s Hospital Center (SMHC). “Our communities are tightly knit. We support and watch out for one another. As a result, working in the healthcare network is a natural extension of that,” adds Ms. Dorlean.
Diversity is prevalent throughout our organization. This reality, according to Ms. Dorlean, has a tremendously positive impact on the multidisciplinary teams. “Diversity makes it easier to build trust with our users and to ensure clearer communication with regards to the administration of care and treatments. Sometimes, removing the language barrier is all it takes to improve our interventions,” she adds.
Thank you to these health and social services professionals who make all the difference in the quality of our services!
