Bonnie States has been a food service worker at Digby General Hospital for 16 years. She prepares trays for patients, enters meal information into the computer, stocks fridges, operates the cash, and – as she describes it – does “everything but cook.” States is also a proud and involved member of the African Nova Scotian community in the Digby area.
Visitor restrictions are in place on 3South, an acute care unit at Glace Bay Hospital. The restrictions are in place to help limit the spread of flu-like illness among patients on the unit.
As project coordinator for the African Nova Scotian Health Strategy, Rhonda Atwell works to uncover why health disparities of the community are so high. Being of African Nova Scotian descent herself, this work holds special meaning for her.
"Even if you can’t always cure, you can always care.” Dr. Stephanie Connidis applies this philosophy to her work as a family doctor, medical director of the INSPIRED COPD Outreach Program, and medical director of Hospice Halifax, which is slated to open in spring 2019.
Radiology clerk Karen MacLean is deeply proud of her African heritage. “My African heritage is rooted in some amazing ancestors who worked hard for a living and contributed significantly to the world’s economy and advancement. They never gave up in spite of all the obstacles that they faced,” said MacLean, who works at Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow.
Accreditation is over, but Lisa Sampson’s work is far from finished. Sampson is a patient safety coordinator at South Shore Regional Hospital. She provides ongoing coordination, support and leadership to ensure safety always comes as second nature to staff, a deeply embedded into culture and routine part of what is done each and every day.
After meeting 92.9 per cent of Accreditation Canada criteria and receiving “accredited with report” status, NSHA submitted follow-up reports in April and October 2018 to address a number of Required Organizational Practices and High Priority Criteria. NSHA was not only recognized for five leading practices by the National Health Standards Organization, but In November 2018, Accreditation Canada confirmed that NSHA has met all follow-up requirements to maintain “accredited” status.
In October 2017, a team of 30 surveyors and one patient surveyor from Accreditation Canada visited Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA). They spent time in our hospitals and facilities across the province observing and talking with employees, physicians, volunteers, patients, learners, clients, families and community partners. This occurred through both structured meetings and through their site visit and assessment process.
It wasn’t until Mario Rolle moved from the Bahamas to Canada as an adult that he became aware of the racism faced by people who are black, particularly African Nova Scotians. As a wellness navigator with the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative, Rolle works every day with African Nova Scotian men. The program takes a holistic view of black men’s health, focusing on the social determinants of health.
