While Black History Month may have come to an end last month, we are committed to continuing the important work related to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism, year-round.
We'd like to share words from Hellen Taabu, a Black nurse who divides her time at GRH and at a local Black vaccine clinic in the community. Hellen speaks about her experience as a Black person in health care and helps us understand how we can practice good ally ship year-round to the Black community.
We hope that everyone will take the time to learn about Hellen's experiences, but we recognize that this interview may be triggering for some to read.
What is your home unit at GRH? How long have you been a nurse?
My home unit is in 5 ACE (Acute Care of Elderly), and I have worked as a nurse for 12 years, starting as a PSW in 2006.
What do you like most about being a nurse?
I like being able to meet people at their lowest point and provide care with love and compassion. I also love getting to know my patients and their families and making their experiences bearable. Though patients might not remember my name after they leave, they will always remember their positive experience of care from me, I know that for sure. In the advent of COVID, nursing has allowed me to have a positive impact in my community through community engagement and education.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month reminds me of the beauty, excellence and richness of Blackness that permeates all the facets of our lives. It reminds me of the pain and struggles of our ancestors who have done so much work to ensure that we are here today. It is also a constant reminder that we owe it to the next generations to continue to fight for the recognition, appreciation and centering of Blackness in many parts of society today.
Can you share a little bit about the work you've done and continue to do with the Black community at vaccine clinics and other health initiatives across the Region? What are some of the challenges this community faces? What has been most rewarding for you?
We came together as Grand River Hospital health care workers under the umbrella of the organization of Healthcare Providers Against Racism (HPAR) to attempt to mitigate the impact of both COVID and racism in our communities and other underprivileged communities. We thought it was prudent to work with the community to sensitize them and educate them on how to access resources. We recognized that our communities have had a negative impact due to a combination of factors such as pre-existing persistent racial disparities in health care status, poor access to health care, wealth, employment, poor wages, housing, income, and poverty, all which enhance their susceptibility to the COVID-19 virus both economically and physically.
At HPAR, we strive to build and nurture a beloved community that is united through our struggles for equity and accessibility to resources. We do this through the acknowledgement, respect and celebration of the differences in our community. Some of the outreach work we are engaged in includes volunteering and working in the communities during COVID administering COVID-19vaccines, volunteers and community engagement/translators (answering questions and connecting community members with relevant and appropriate resources), and volunteering for food distribution and food banks in the communities where we raise awareness and educate on COVID initiatives in the region. We work with other grass root organizations such as African Family Revival Organization (AFRO). Which helps connect Black communities to COVID-19 testing and vaccination. We empower members of our communities to be more proactive in seeking healthcare services in a timely manner.
How can team members at GRH and community members practice good ally ship year-round to the Black community?
GRH Team members can work with HPAR by meeting the community in their spaces rather than wait to engage with them at the hospital. We believe that the starting point would be acknowledging that racism is endemic and systemic, especially ingrained in institutions such as our healthcare system. GRH can liaise with HPAR and other community organizations to work with community members to make the system more approachable. Working with the community to explore barriers and facilitate access. This way, we are able to know what their priorities are, allowing us to come up with cultural specific responses.
At GRH, we can work with the communities to help reduce inequities by being a familiar and friendly entry point to the wider health care system. As an institution we should be engaging and willing to see other communities’ point of view as pertains to the health care they would like to receive. Hence, find suitable approaches for engaging with marginalized groups in a constructive way.
Are there any personal stories/challenges you've experienced that you'd like to share with us?
There are many challenges that I have experienced as a Black health care worker. The main and persistent one is the lack of recognition sadly both by my colleagues and the patients. On many occasions, I have to prove myself as competent in my job.
Many occasions when a patient would tell me, "Can you get me a real nurse who speaks English?" The latest one is when a patient said in a rather joking manner, “I didn't know they hired monkeys in here!" I asked her why she would make such a remark, to which she answered, “You can call anyone a monkey ... You can also call me a monkey...!" I reminded her that I will not use the same words to dehumanize her. I mentioned it to my colleagues who took it up with the patient as great allies and she apologized. There are many incidents where we face hostility from patients and family members based on the color of our skin. In such cases it would be best to have a plan of action on how to react to these incidences. Where can a Black employee get reprieve? We need a system where we can talk about this and distress. Luckily, HPAR as a group has been supportive in this sense. Giving us an opportunity to talk about these experiences and finding ways to cope.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I would like to call all members of the GRH communities to be allies in the fight against racism. I would like to have GRH participate more in community engagement and see representation and visibility of Black workers in all echelons of GRH.
