I am deeply disheartened by the continued anti-black, anti-Asian, anti-Indigenous violence that has become even more prominent over these past days.
As dean, I acknowledge the pain racism causes for so many students, residents, faculty, staff, patients and communities we serve. And as a physician, I reflect on my privilege and the impact of systemic racism on health outcomes.
I pledge to actively listen so I can better understand the experiences of racialized communities, and to work as an ally to help build more socially accountable health-care systems and health sciences education. A two-day strategic planning session begins today for our faculty to develop a five-year roadmap that will lead us through the coming years. Identifying how our activities can dismantle systemic inequities will be at the forefront.
This week, the University of Alberta joined post-secondary institutions across North America in issuing a statement of solidarity against racism. As the national voice of academic medicine, the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) also posted a statement on racial discrimination here.
I also reaffirm our faculty's commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Every day, each of us must intensify our efforts to increase institutional change. Together we can make a difference.