Category Archives: medical education

Affecting meaningful change in health care and the relationship between physicians, medical institutions, and Indigenous Peoples

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Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone had a lovely summer on Prince Edward Island. We sure did! Islanders know how to work hard and enjoy beautiful summers, which extends to the entire team at the UPEI Faculty of Medicine. The team is charged with being ready to welcome students to Memorial’s regional campus in the summer of 2025 and working towards the eventual accreditation of the Memorial/UPEI joint Doctor of Medicine program.

As we approach National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Day this month, I’m also focused on Indigenous health related to medical education and the populations we all serve. On Sept. 18, 2024, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) will apologize for its role and the medical profession’s role in the harms caused to Indigenous Peoples in the health system, both through action and inaction.

Across Canada, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples face unacceptable health disparities. Due to the legacy of colonialism and systemic racism, they are more likely than other Canadians to experience persistent poverty, food insecurity and barriers to housing and education — key contributors to chronic illnesses and other health challenges.

We are proud to partner with Memorial in many ways, especially in their focus on ensuring the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University is inclusive of learners from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. The mandate of MUN’s Indigenous Health Initiative can be found here: Indigenous Health Initiative Mandate

As we develop a regional campus here on Prince Edward Island, I can assure you that we intend to follow Memorial’s lead. Not only do we have one seat designated to an Indigenous learner, but we are also consulting with Indigenous leaders to ensure we do our part to unlearn and learn how to affect meaningful change in health care and the relationship between physicians, medical institutions, and Indigenous Peoples. 

Please share your ideas and reach out anytime so we can all do better together in advancing reconciliation in health care. My door is always open. (meddean@upei.ca)