Making an impact supporting fellow Black healthcare workers
Rawan Fadl is passionate about supporting and creating safe space for other Black healthcare workers. She knows first-hand some of the challenges that come with immigrating from another country, attending university, and working as a healthcare worker who is Black.
Rawan remembers what it felt like coming to Canada at the age of 16. She recalls feeling nervous and scared, immigrating from Sudan and adjusting to life in Hamilton. While she learned English from watching television shows and from her siblings in Sudan before coming to Canada, she is keenly aware of how much more difficult the transition is for those that have more of a language barrier. As a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer at St. Joe’s, Rawan strives to incorporate her life experiences to best support her patients.
“One size does not fit all in health care. I try to take the extra time with patients to make sure that I’m able to fully communicate with them in the best way for them,” Rawan says. “It’s really important to me to reflect back on how hard it must have been for me because it helps me empathize with my patients a lot better.”
Rawan recalls her experience working through university, obtaining her Bachelor of Medical Radiation Sciences and being one of the few Black people in the class.
“I’m not an exception, I shouldn’t be an exception, but I happen to be an exception being a Black woman in a lot of spaces I occupy, including in health care” Rawan says. “When I started in health care, I was craving to have somebody that could understand my point-of-view and understand what I was going through. When we have a new Black healthcare worker on the team, I try to be that person and let them know that if they need support, I can be that person for them. I know that having somebody who’s been there takes a weight off your shoulders.”
Black History Month at St. Joe’s
This year at St. Joe’s marked the first time a committee was formed to plan and organize Black History Month activities. The committee includes Black healthcare workers from across St. Joe’s, and is co-chaired by Rawan, along with Jaleesa Bygrave. With Rawan and Jaleesa’s leadership, St. Joe’s hosted its first Black-owned business vendor market, as well as its first Celebration of Black Healthcare Workers event. The event brought together staff, physicians, volunteers and learners from across the Hospital to listen to and learn from the experiences of Black healthcare workers.
“The more we showcase and the more we celebrate Black healthcare workers, the more comfortable Black people will feel entering these fields,” Rawan says. “I felt compelled to be a part of Black History Month at St. Joe’s to make an impact and it’s so rewarding to see Black healthcare workers connecting and feeling supported.”
As part of the Black History Month activities at St. Joe’s, Rawan hopes that people will continue to learn about Black history in Canada and take the time to listen to what Black people are saying.
“Feeling supported makes such a difference in how the rest of someone’s day goes. There are many opportunities to show your true allyship and to show others that they’re not alone. You can make a real impact just by being supportive,” shares Rawan. “I used to be afraid to take up space, to share my opinions and to speak up. Once I felt supported, I was so much more confident to say what I want to say and occupying space.”