By: Kaylie Awalt, Medical Sciences BSc student, Outreach Assistant, Office of Community Engagement
Last Wednesday, members of the Office of Community Engagement had the opportunity to attend a screening of Bending the Arc, hosted by the Department of Anesthesia, Pain
Management and Perioperative Medicine at the IWK Theatre. From the moment the film began, the room was filled with a sense of curiosity and anticipation as attendees came together to
explore the powerful story of global health and the people working to make healthcare more equitable.
Bending the Arc tells the inspiring story of Dr. Paul Farmer, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, and Ophelia Dahl, whose determination to challenge the status quo helped transform global health. The
documentary follows their journey as they worked alongside communities to bring high-quality, compassionate healthcare to people who had long been considered too difficult or costly to
treat. Through their work and the founding of Partners In Health, they demonstrated the power of collaboration, innovation, and community-led care in creating more equitable healthcare
systems.
But the conversation didn’t end when the credits rolled! Following the screening, attendees were invited to take part in a thought-provoking discussion exploring how the film’s themes continue to resonate in healthcare today. The conversation touched on important topics, including the challenges facing global health supply chains and access to care in rural and remote
communities.
The energy in the theatre was especially noticeable during the Q&A, as audience members engaged with the three experienced speakers: Marleigh Austin, Director of Programs and
Development at Partners In Health Canada, who brings expertise in global health and health inequalities; Linda Muia, Director of Procurement and Inventory at CURE International, who
specializes in procurement, inventory, and supply chain management; and Commander Graeme McBride, a Canadian Armed Forces anesthesiologist and trauma team leader with
domestic and international deployment experience.
Each speaker brought a unique perspective to the conversation, sparking thoughtful questions and lively discussion among attendees. It was exciting to see how a film could serve as a
starting point for such a meaningful conversation about the realities of healthcare today. The diverse experiences shared throughout the discussion helped deepen our understanding of the
complex challenges involved in delivering healthcare and essential resources to communities around the world.
Overall, the evening was a wonderful opportunity to watch, listen, learn, and connect. Bending the Arc reminded us that meaningful change often begins with people willing to challenge what
is considered impossible; and that collaboration and community can play a powerful role in creating a healthier and more equitable future.
