By: Jennifer LeBlanc, Global Health Office Outreach Coordinator
The Dr. Jock Murray Resident Award for Leadership in Global Health was established in 2010 to recognize excellence within residents at Dalhousie Medical School who demonstrate commitment to global health as they advocate for marginalized populations and explore new ways to engage in clinical service, education and research in under serviced populations in Canada and abroad.
Jocelyn Stairs and Navi Bal, two outstanding residents, are the co-recipients of this year’s award. Both students are in their fourth year of residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Dalhousie University.
As medical students and during their residencies, Jocelyn and Navi have advocated strongly for the need to educate residents on the social determinants of health and how attention to them can address many health needs within a population. They have advocated for the need to provide learners with the knowledge and tools to bring about change and to ensure that there are opportunities for the residents to do so. It is through the tireless work of Navi and Jocelyn that the residents are now participating, as part of their curriculum, in a clinic in the North End Community Health Centre where patients from the Mobile Outreach Street Health (MOSH) unit are also seen.
Both Residents have problem solved to ensure that issues both large and small are addressed in order to keep the clinic running smoothly. They have dedicated themselves to the Newcomer (Refugee) Clinic at ISANS where women are seen and educated about sexual and reproductive health, and are taught about contraception, the need for cervical screening and well woman checks. Navi and Jocelyn have ensured that the monthly evening clinics, staffed by volunteer residents, run regularly and that they meet the needs of the women who attend. As importantly, they have worked closely with the staff and care providers at the Newcomers Clinic building sustainable relationships outside of the IWK. It has been an important opportunity for shared learning. They have worked hard to ensure that others can learn from their experiences through poster presentations, and abstracts. They have been strong advocates for “Local” global health, believing that much of the work to provide equitable care begins at home.
Navi and Jocelyn have been involved with the Global Health Unit in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and as members of the Global Health Advisory Group providing invaluable feedback to the committee about the projects of the Global Health Unit.
Congratulations Jocelyn and Navi! Thank you for your contributions to global health during your time at Dalhousie.
For more information please visit our Global Health Awards webpage.
Related blog posts: 2019 Global Health Awards Series: Student Leadership
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