Read on Twitter
The first Slate Falls First Nation COVID Vaccine clinic is complete and was a huge success!! We vaccinated a total of 119 members of Slate Falls First Nation, teachers, NAPS officers and nurses who live and work in Slate Falls!!
This was my first experience working in remote Northern Ontario and it was perspective changing. The people of Slate Falls First Nation invited us into their community and in some cases into their homes. They even made us an individually packaged walleye lunch today!
I tried to listen and learn as much as I could from the community members. I learned why the elders in the community felt getting the vaccine was so important and I saw them leading by example. I also learned how the results of colonization has resulted in some vaccine hesitancy.
We offered the vaccine to all and provided information about the vaccine to address questions. As the week progressed, we saw more and more people come for the vaccine. Community members who missed the first dose will be offered the vaccine when #OpRemoteImmunity is back.
We had a fantastic team and I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone on our team, our pilots, @NANComms, our local Indigenous partners and everyone behind the scenes at @Ornge for making this such an amazing experience.
This experience has been transformative for me. I have been reflecting on how I can promote indigenous health in my surgical practice and beyond and also how to be a better ally moving forwards. Have also been considering ways that I could do some future work in Northern Ontario.
Thank you @HomerTien and @Ornge - it was an privilege to contribute to this mission! Thank you @gcfiddler for warmly welcoming us into your communities. This has been an extremely rewarding experience and is a highlight of my medical career!
@UofTGSx @UofTSurgery @SinaiHealth
@UofTGSx @UofTSurgery @SinaiHealth
