Medicine
The OIME is working towards the vision of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission By Christine Smith McFarlane
he Office of Indigenous Medical Education provides a culturally safe space in the Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) program while working to advance Indigenous community engagement and supports, as well as to incorporate Indigenous teachings into medical education for all students. Dr. Lisa ichardson, one of two Indigenous physicians who serve as Co-Leads in Indigenous Health Education for the UME Program, is pleased to be a part of this important work. “Education opens doors to wonderful and fulfilling careers that allow Indigenous youth to give back to their communities and to improve not just their own lives, but the lives of others,” she says. “Educated youth can work in stimulating jobs while simultaneously advocating for change, helping out others and making a good living.” Co-Leads Dr. Richardson and Dr. Jason Pennington both studied medicine at the University of Toronto, and were instrumental in the development of the Office of Indigenous Medical Education. They have been working for years to bring Indigenous concepts of health and healing into the faculty. They also work to improve Indigenous peoples’ experience with health care providers. “For the non-Aboriginal students in the medical school, we want to provide them with knowledge and tools to practise in a culturally safe way so that Aboriginal patients do not feel isolated, judged or stereotyped when they enter medical institutions,” says Dr. ichardson. “This means changing and increasing Indigenous representation in the curriculum as well helping faculty to increase their understanding.” The Office of Indigenous Medical Education opened its doors in 2014, one year before the Truth and econciliation Commission (TC) of Canada’s Summary eport was released. The report’s 94 Calls to Action “to redress the legacy of residential First Nations House Magazine 13