The following profiles were prepared by Francophone Affairs at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine and featured in their February newsletter.
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My journey, by Shaïda Savanet, co-representative for the PharmD class of 2029
“I’m proud to be helping to create an academic environment where diversity of backgrounds is seen as an asset.”
Shaïda Savanet
— PharmD 2029
My journey hasn’t been linear, but it has always been guided by a drive to take care of others and find my place in the health-care system. Every step I took along the way, even ones that seemed a long way off from my initial goal, helped me figure out what kind of health-care professional I wanted to become.
I started off by completing a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy at Université Laval. That program taught me to see health as more than just diagnoses by emphasizing functional capacity and patient participation in meaningful activities. During those years, my job as a pharmacy technical assistant and the interactions I had there with patients and pharmacists introduced me to an inspiring clinical role, confirming my interest in pursuing a pharmacy degree.
As a Black woman and a budding health-care professional, the matter of representation also shaped my journey. Sometimes, the lack of role models who looked like me raised doubts, but more than anything, it motivated me to persevere. Today, as co-representative of the PharmD class of 2029, I’m proud to be helping to create an academic environment where diversity of backgrounds is seen as an asset.
This Black History Month, my journey is a reminder of how important diversity and Black representation are in health care, both to inspire future generations and to promote more inclusive care that’s rooted in patients’ reality.
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Science, commitment and resilience, by Ezechiel Yameogo, fourth-year student in translational and molecular medicine
“Black History Month [is] a valuable opportunity to celebrate the wealth of diversity we get to experience at uOttawa.”
Ezechiel Yameogo
— 4th-year TMM student
My road to the translational and molecular medicine program took shape in my first year of biology, when I developed a strong passion for biomedical research. I wanted to get a better understanding of the biological mechanisms behind diseases and get more involved in research, so I started thinking about what program would allow me to achieve that goal. After two years in biology, I got the chance to transfer into translational and molecular medicine.
Studying in this program is a rewarding experience that’s helping me hone my scientific mindset and build a strong foundation for, I hope, being part of the solution one day to the big biomedical issues of our time.
That said, my academic journey wasn’t linear. As early as first year, I faced significant personal challenges that impacted my progress in my program. On top of that, there were the systemic struggles many Black students have to contend with. But those problems certainly didn’t stop me. Instead, they became springboards, giving me strong resilience and critical reflections on the lingering inequalities in our systems.
My greater awareness led me to get actively involved in promoting social and health justice alongside my studies. That was the inspiration for my book, Le Prix d’une vie, which examines health injustice experienced by the Black community. It also supports the work of Doctors Without Borders, with proceeds from the book’s sales going to them. For me, managing to balance my passion for biomedical research and my commitment to social justice is a remarkable and deeply symbolic achievement.
I see Black History Month as a valuable opportunity to celebrate the wealth of diversity we get to experience at uOttawa, and to acknowledge the vital contributions the Black community has made to Canadian society and our university community.
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Finding your place in medicine, in French, by Tiffany Ange Tchigio Djomou, MD ’28 (Francophone Stream)
“I hope everyone from an under-represented group will know they’re not alone… and you can certainly find your rightful place.”
Tiffany Ange Tchigio Djomou
— MD 2028
From a young age, I knew I wanted to become a doctor so I could satisfy both my love of biology and my desire to help others. I spent most of my school years at French-language schools in Kitchener, Ontario. Although it’s a mostly Anglophone region, promoting the French language was always an issue close to my heart. In high school, I served as student council co-president and hosted the school newscast, the PRDG Show, among other activities.
Then, I spent three years studying biomedical science at the University of Waterloo. During my undergraduate degree, I got involved in research and co-founded the Real Research initiative, which introduces students to lab techniques and helps them feel more confident in their research skills. I was also vice-president of the Black Medical Leaders of Tomorrow club, where I mentored students and provided under-represented racialized groups with resources, all while volunteering with Épelle-Moi Canada, an organization working to promote the Francophonie.
Today, as a medical student at uOttawa, I’m upholding that commitment with the same conviction. In first year, I was chosen to take part in the annual Research Initiation Scholarship Program, a memorable experience that allowed me to work on a project entirely in French. As vice-president of the Black Medical Students Association, I organize social and educational activities to support Black students. Last year during Black History Month, some of the things we did included organizing a student blood drive and raising awareness among the community about the importance of having a diverse pool of donors. That’s something we’ll be continuing this year. I’m also a mentor with Altitude Mentoring — it’s a role that’s especially important to me since I myself benefited from mentorship.
For me, Black History Month is a time for reflection, celebration and visibility. It highlights the wealth of diversity in Canada, recognizes the past and present contributions of Black communities and inspires future generations.
I hope everyone from an under-represented group who reads this message will know they’re not alone. The road to medicine can feel intimidating, but you can get there — and you can certainly find your rightful place.
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Taking action to fight racial inequalities in health: An urgent appeal, by Dr. Salomon Fotsing
“Improving the health of Black communities requires clear political will and joint action.”
Dr. Salomon Fotsing
— Professor, Department of Medicine
Considered to be a land of immigrants, Canada welcomes many Black newcomers, and they typically arrive in good health. However, research shows that their health tends to decline over time. This deterioration is largely due to the lingering racial inequalities in the Canadian health-care system, impacting access to care, quality of care and health outcomes.
As part of Black History Month, it’s crucial to remind people that these disparities remain a concerning reality. Recently, over a hundred researchers sent an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, and accompanying it was the Ottawa Declaration on Black Health in Canada. Led by uOttawa’s Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health, this initiative sheds light on a troubling observation: according to the centre’s director, Jude Mary Cénat, being Black continues to constitute a health risk factor in Canada. Race can increase the likelihood of receiving lower-quality care, revealing systemic biases that undermine equity and social justice.
The Ottawa Declaration is based on 10 clear observations to illustrate the disproportionate burdens — in physical, mental, social and economic terms — that Black communities face, causing preventable disease and suffering. It also proposes 22 commitments for the federal and provincial governments, providing practical avenues for action to improve Black health in Canada on a lasting basis.
These actions serve as a reminder that improving the health of Black communities requires clear political will and joint action. During this month of commemorations, let’s make a shared commitment to transforming these observations into real action and supporting the adoption of these recommendations.
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