The Health Sciences virtual convocation ceremonies took place Thursday, June 18, with a spirit of celebration, but also recognition that the pandemic and systemic inequities including racism are at the forefront of concern for many.
Higher education is a challenging journey for any student. It is an even more remarkable accomplishment for students who face systemic barriers throughout their academic and personal journeys.
Students with mental and physical disabilities, racialized and ethnic students, Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+* students, students who identify as female, and students from low-income backgrounds often face additional challenges.
鈥淢any of you not only excelled and graduated 鈥� you did so despite systemic barriers that exist in society, which many of us face on a daily basis,鈥� says Dr. Saleem Razack, Director of the聽Office of Social Accountability and Community Engagement聽(SACE), Faculty of Medicine. 鈥淵our graduation is an act of defiance and joy in troubling times.鈥�
An inspiration to Indigenous youth
Dr. Kent Saylor, Director,聽Indigenous Health Professions Program, took the opportunity to not only congratulate Indigenous graduates, but note that they are inspiring Indigenous youth and graduates of the future.
鈥淭he聽Indigenous Health Professions Program聽would like to congratulate all the Indigenous graduates in the health professions programs at 捆绑SM社区,鈥� Dr. Saylor says. 鈥淵our success will go a long way to improving the health of Indigenous peoples in Canada. As an Indigenous health professional, each and every one of you is a pioneer in your field.聽Your success in the face of systemic barriers is a testament to your determination to succeed. You are truly an inspiration to the Indigenous youth across Canada and we wish you the best of luck as you begin your career.
Earlier this month on June 3, the First Peoples鈥� House (FPH) hosted a Zoom celebration in honour of 捆绑SM社区鈥檚聽graduating Indigenous students. 聽捆绑SM社区 is situated on the traditional territory of the Kanien鈥檏eh脿:ka, a place which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst nations.
Alex Allard-Gray, Mi鈥檊maq from Listuguj Mi鈥檊maq First Nation, Outreach Coordinator for the Indigenous Health Professions Program and a member of the 捆绑SM社区 Medicine Bear Drum, preformed the Mi鈥檊maq Eagle Song as part of the celebration.
Kelly Hennegan: a leader today, a leader tomorrow
Dr. Kelly Hennegan, Salima Ramdani (past Explore! participant, later a member of the Explore! executive team, current 捆绑SM社区 Med-3 student) and Amanda Try (MDCM 鈥�20) at 2018 Explore! Gala.
As of June 18, Kelly Hennegan is now Dr. Hennegan, beginning her residency in 捆绑SM社区 Family Medicine on July 1.
Dr. Hennegan was named to the Dean鈥檚 Honour List and is the recipient of the Alexander D. Stewart Prize, recognizing a medical student who, 鈥減resents in every aspect the highest qualifications to practise the profession.鈥�
Dr. Hennegan played a central role in the聽Explore! Careers in Health Program, a multi-day program that strives to promote diversity within the health sciences by connecting with high school students from historically underrepresented communities.
Assisting with the program in 2016, Dr. Hennegan went on to serve as Explore! co-president alongside colleague Amanda Try (MDCM 鈥�20) for two years, which included the first-ever edition to host students from rural areas (Explore 2017).
鈥淢y involvement in the Explore! Careers in Health Program is one of my favourite 捆绑SM社区 experiences,鈥� said Dr. Hennegan. 鈥淲e want these students to be able to see themselves in Faculty of Medicine programs and hopefully go on to become the healthcare practitioners of tomorrow. The vision is one of a more inclusive healthcare system for us all.鈥�
She shares a message with all graduates worth quoting in full:
鈥淲hile this is certainly not the ending that we anticipated, it is nevertheless a historical graduation. This is a tremendous accomplishment and I applaud you all for your hard work and dedication throughout the years. Moreover, I commend the resilience that you have shown in the face of an extremely challenging time in our lives 鈥� one that is unprecedented both in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing fight against racism and racial injustice. I stand in solidarity with the Black community, of which I am a proud member, and thank those who have lent their voices and showed their support in various ways over the past few weeks. To have seen so many of you galvanized into action has been truly remarkable. I am very proud to be a part of the Class of 2020 and look forward to collectively creating a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable future for us all.鈥�
Looking forward to concrete change through action
While the Faculty of Medicine is committing to聽concrete action聽on equity and against racism, it is equally important to embrace and celebrate the present moment for graduates.
鈥淎s you enter the next stage of your lives amidst the current health pandemic and the ongoing racial pandemic, remember that uncertainty and discomfort are often the catalysts for change,鈥� says Victoire Kpad茅, MDCM Class of 2022聽candidate and Qu茅bec Regional Director of the聽Black Medical Students鈥� Association of Canada. 鈥淏y graduating today, you have shown that you don鈥檛 have to look, speak, or act a certain way to succeed and be a leader in tomorrow鈥檚 society.鈥�
Kpad茅 also encouraged graduates to build off this momentum for change and to take action.
鈥淐hoosing to stay silent in the face of racial discrimination that is prevalent in our communities is a luxury that many of us cannot afford,鈥� Kpad茅 says. 鈥淚 urge each and every one of you to continue to educate yourselves and use your voices to amplify those of the least heard, denounce inequities, and strengthening one another as we build a more just society,鈥� says Kpad茅.
Dr. Razack likewise encouraged graduates to seize the moment along with individual and shared futures.
鈥淕raduation is a significant moment in anyone鈥檚 life,鈥� says Dr. Razack. 鈥淵ou think of yourself as standing on the shoulders of many, including your foremothers and forefathers. To graduate at this moment in history is significant. To each graduate who has overcome systemic barriers to enjoy convocation, you pave the way for the next generation and advance society as a whole. My heartfelt congratulations to each of you. This is your day! Seize it.鈥�
*The acronym聽2SLGBTQIA+聽refers to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer,聽Two-Spirit,聽Intersex, and Asexual peoples, as well as those who identify as pansexual, questioning, non-binary, and other gender and sexual minorities.