Racism in the Canadian Health System: A Conversation with Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed (EDI Series Part 6)

Published on October 27, 2022

 

Racism in the Canadian health system is an issue that can no longer be denied or overlooked. For many Canadians – especially for those who are members of a visible minority – systemic racism has been, and continues to be, a barrier to achieving health equity and outcomes for all – and for creating inclusive, safe workspaces for all those who work (or want to work) in healthcare.

For Part 6 of our series focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), we are joined by Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, Associate Dean of Serving and Engaging Society at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, to have an in-depth conversation on the important topic of racism in the Canadian health system.

Tune in as we engage with Gaynor to help us understand institutional and structural racism – what it is, how it persists in healthcare, and how to dismantle it – and what actions and system improvements are needed moving forward to bring an end to racism across the health sector.

Don’t miss this important conversation!

 

About Gaynor Watson-Creed

Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed. The HQ Podcast guest for episode 22: Racism in the Canadian Health SystemDr. Gaynor Watson-Creed is the Associate Dean of Serving and Engaging Society for Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, and Chair of the Board of Engage Nova Scotia. She is a public health specialist physician with 17 years experience, having served as the former Medical Officer of Health for the Halifax area and Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia.

Dr. Watson-Creed is a PEI native and received chemistry degrees from UPEI and University of Guelph before attending Dalhousie University for her MD in 1995. From there, she attended McMaster University where she received board certifications in family medicine in 2001 and in Public Health and Preventive Medicine in 2005. She sits as chair or member of several population health councils and boards nationally, including the Examination Board for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and the Board of Community Food Centres of Canada. She is co-chair of the Advisory Council to the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health and a member of the CIHI Advisory Council on Population Health. Dr. Watson-Creed sat on the One Nova Scotia Coalition, and received the William Grigor award for achievement in medicine from Doctors Nova Scotia in 2017. In 2018 she was awarded the President’s award from Public Health Physicians of Canada for her advocacy regarding public health systems and services in Canada. In 2019 she was named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network in recognition of the direction and support she has provided to so many initiatives. Dr. Watson-Creed was named to the federal Task Force on Women in the Economy, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Minister Mona Fortier, which completed its work in 2021. She was awarded the title Doctor of Science, honoris causa, by Acadia University in 2021 in recognition of her many contributions to Nova Scotia and to Canada over her career.

 

Helpful Links

Dr. Gaynor Watson Creed | LinkedIn: Click Here

Dr. Gaynor Watson Creed | Twitter: Click Here

Engage Nova Scotia| Website: Click Here

 

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About this Episode