For the third consecutive year, Sunnybrook’s Organizational Development & Learning team has mentored three Black students through York University’s Work-Integrated Learning for Black Students in Health program. Undergraduate student Johnathon Orr from the School of Kinesiology and Health Science is one of them. Jonathon has an interest in rehabilitation and human performance. His placement is at St. John's Rehab.
Johnathon states, “I came across this opportunity through a Black student organization at York and thought it would be a great way to gain experience outside the classroom. Working on research projects helped me see other sides of health care and really broadened my understanding of how interdisciplinary rehabilitation can be. During my time at St. John’s Rehab, I supported staff and research teams through note-taking, literature reviews, and writing executive summaries for ongoing projects.
I was part of a study focused on attitudinal barriers, where we explored accessible housing options for people with disabilities and translated research findings into plain language to make them more usable for wider audiences. I have always been passionate about improving recovery and accessibility in health care, and this placement at St. John’s Rehab gave me the mentorship, connections, and research experience that continue to guide my career goals.”
The Work-Integrated Learning for Black students in Health program provides students with valuable real-world experience through workplace-based learning opportunities, such as co-ops and placement programs, to further their academic and professional journeys.
“This program is unique because students placed at Sunnybrook have the chance to gain on-the-job experience that can help to determine career fit, refine learning and career goals and develop specific skills – all while building a strong network,” says Shaunteque Harris, manager in the Organizational Development & Learning department at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. “We also benefit from students who bring new and innovative ideas, fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the teams they are placed with.”
The program originated as an initiative championed by two York University student groups – the Black Students in Psychology Association and the Black Students Mentorship Program. Over the years, the program has become a valuable part of the York University Faculty of Health’s educational offerings and a way to support the career aspirations of young Black students in health care.
“Black representation in healthcare is essential to building trust, improving health outcomes, and fostering culturally responsive care”, says Paola Calderon-Valdivia, experiential education coordinator at York University. “Yet, systemic inequities continue to limit access to health care and social services for Black Canadians, making programs like this more important than ever”.
Sunnybrooks states they remain committed to eliminating health inequities for the patients and families they serve and to promote diversity among their health-care professionals. By collaborating with the Work-Integrated Learning program, they hope to continue to foster a health-care system that meets the diverse needs of their patients and supports health-care professionals from all walks of life.