Supporting vibrant and healthy communities

During the February 1 panel presentation, Dr. Andrew Dr. Andrew Bernard Thomas speaking at the Together We Rise Durham Black History Month celebration on February 1.Bernard Thomas discusses the challenges and systemic barriers that Black doctors face throughout their career, the work that the Black Physicians Association of Ontario is doing to support Black doctors; the importance of representation and the value that allies bring to supporting healthy communities. Watch the panel discussion at durham.ca/BlackHistoryMonth.

Together We Rise Durham

There are many partners that are working to dismantle health inequities and other systemic barriers to health care faced by Black communities. Learn more below.

• Lakeridge Health offers a wide range of health-care services, including acute, ambulatory, and long-term care, all guided by their vision of One System. Best Health. As the largest health-care provider in Durham Region, their 8,700 staff, physicians, and volunteers are committed to promoting a culture that is free from anti-Black racism and other inequities.
  I Belong – their Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism (IDEAA) Multi-Year Action Plan – sets the foundation to embed an IDEAA lens in everything they do and allows Lakeridge Health to foster a culture where everyone feels they can work and receive care safely, openly and honestly. Learn more about Lakeridge Health.
• Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) is a public teaching hospital providing a range of specialized assessment and treatment services to those living with complex and serious mental illness. Exemplary patient care is delivered through safe and evidence-based approaches where successful outcomes are achieved using best clinical practices and the latest advances in research. Patients benefit from a recovery-oriented environment of care built on compassion, inspiration and hope. Learn more about Ontario Shores.
• Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce (PABRT) is a dedicated committee of Council appointees who work in partnership with the Pickering community and the City of Pickering. Their goals include celebrating, conserving and promoting Black culture, heritage and history. Learn more about the PABRT.

Also in Pickering is the Durham Community Health Centre: Black Health & Wellness Clinic, which provides access for Durham Region community members who identify as African, Caribbean or Black, to receive primary care support and culturally affirming care. Learn more about the Black Health & Wellness Clinic.

For more Black History Month event highlights, visit durham.ca/BlackHistoryMonth.