Community Partner, Former SRCHC Board Member, and passionate about advancing health equity through community-centred care.
You’ve had the opportunity to see SRCHC from many different vantage points — as a community partner at Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, a former board member, and a leader in health equity. What stands out to you most when you reflect on your connection to SRCHC?
What stands out most is the humanity. I joined the Board six months into the pandemic, and didn’t meet fellow board members or staff in person for nearly two years. Yet I felt deeply connected and supported from the start. SRCHC clearly demonstrated how to walk the talk — always focusing on people who were most impacted and too often overlooked.
Was there a moment during that time that stayed with you?
I remember how SRCHC, in partnership with Michael Garron Hospital, reached out to people who had tested positive for COVID-19 and needed additional support. Staff would find out what they needed, deliver food, and connect them with other resources. For many people, that level of care was unexpected and incredibly meaningful. It showed that health care can be about so much more than treating illness.
Your organization partners closely with SRCHC through Primary Care Connect. Why is that work important?
Primary Care Connect helps people who have gone a long time without access to primary care, often because of the complexity of their circumstances. Together with SRCHC and CAMH, we’ve created flexible, low-barrier access points where people can connect with ongoing care on their own terms. It’s a powerful example of organizations coming together to meet people where they are.
Community health centres often step in where needs are greatest. As you look ahead, what do you hope communities never lose sight of?
I hope we never lose sight that we can all be vulnerable. Early in my career, a community member involved in a photovoice project held a sign that read, “Don’t judge me, my life wasn’t always like this.” That has stayed with me for years. We’re often quick to judge people, forgetting how easily circumstances can change.
What gives you hope when you think about the future of community health care?
The people. Community health continues to attract incredibly talented and committed individuals at every stage of their careers. I’m inspired by those who have dedicated decades to this work and equally inspired by new graduates who actively choose community health. Their passion and commitment give me tremendous hope for the future.
As SRCHC celebrates 50 years and dreams forward, what do you hope it never stops being?
I hope SRCHC never stops being a place of hope and belonging. My time on the Board coincided with some very difficult moments, including the pandemic and significant challenges within the community. More recently, both my organization and SRCHC lost provincial funding for our consumption and treatment services; sites that provided life-saving care. It was devastating news and reminded me of the resilience and commitment that define this work.
Through it all, people bring their full selves — their work, their emotions, and their care for the people they serve and for one another. That spirit is something truly special, and I hope it never changes.