C4’s mission aligns with my values and aspirations for a healthcare system that is both more equitable and compassionate, rendering its work significant to me. In Canada, existing health disparities are subject to exacerbation by social and structural factors such as immigration status, cultural and racial backgrounds, and income. Consequently, variations in health outcomes emerge within the population. Recognizing the imperative to amplify the voices of those often overlooked and marginalized, C4 actively addresses this need. Among different activities, C4 provides ideas, education, research, tools, programs, and awareness campaigns to support patients, caregivers, and racialized communities pragmatically. In this particular mission, my role as a post-doctoral researcher at C4 reflects the organization’s commitment to its mission, which I consider one of its fulfilled objectives. As a newcomer from a racialized community and having received training outside Canada, establishing connections and securing a position at a university proved challenging. However, here I am. Engaging in research within racialized communities brings immense satisfaction, allowing me to listen to and understand the community as an insider. This approach facilitates a profound comprehension of local values and language and, consequently, a more nuanced understanding of pertinent issues.

While I haven’t encountered negative experiences personally within the healthcare system, I’ve witnessed friends, family, and community members who have faced challenges (e.g., time-to-access, feeling heard and understood) and developed a degree of distrust towards healthcare in Alberta. It’s in these instances that I see the potential impact of C4. The work undertaken by C4 holds personal significance for me because it aligns with our shared objective of addressing racial and power imbalances prevalent in healthcare. By striving to reduce these imbalances, C4 aims to contribute to a more equitable healthcare system, ultimately mitigating the negative experiences encountered by Black individuals within our community when seeking healthcare services. This goal resonates with my commitment to fostering positive change and inclusivity within the healthcare landscape.

C4 affords me the opportunity to collaborate with, learn from, and be inspired by a diverse group of community members, patients, clinicians, researchers, and decision-makers interested in building a healthcare system where patients and providers feel safe. Healthcare is a complex interaction between providers, who are influenced by their professional and organizational structures, cultures, and patients who are shaped by both their health or illness and a myriad of intersectional factors. In many cases, care feels less than caring.  

Through my work with C4, I hope to gain a better understanding of the human and system factors that shape healthcare interactions and to share this knowledge with patients, providers, and policymakers. My vision is for a collaborative, collegial, and cooperative approach to re-designing our health system design to become one where trust, respect, and learning are the norm.

I feel so privileged to be involved in the C4 program of work as I believe that access to and delivery of care in a safe and inclusive healthcare system is fundamental for individuals physical, emotional, and mental health. Having worked with various vulnerable populations in diverse communities has driven my interest and dedication as both a researcher and healthcare provider to strive for equity in care and contribute to inform policies that support both providers and patients in delivering and receiving respectful, quality, and appropriate care.

As someone who wears multiple hats (as healthcare researcher, human-centred designer, and a patient with chronic health needs), C4 matters to me because through collaborating with this group I see the potential for making a real difference in the lives of those who are often left out of the important conversations. These conversations often drive the policies and programs that shape our healthcare system and patient experiences of it.

With global migration at its peak, many people have relocated to different countries for better life and wellbeing. However, health and access to healthcare services continues to be a major challenge to most immigrants and refugees. Language barriers, difficulties in understanding and navigating the healthcare system, poor relationships with healthcare providers, a lack of trust, and worst of all racism and discrimination have been at the core of newcomer’s experiences.

Having worked with immigrants, refugees, and as a community advocate, I find C4 a complete package not only advocating for equity within the health sector, but as a medium to approach the accessibility of healthcare services to all from a holistic perspective where voices of all can be heard.