We continue to encourage dialogue and sharing of experience and information between hospitals, grass roots communities, advocates and health care providers. We honour diverse traditions of knowledge and understanding, in health and healing. Information provided aims to help protect our communities and inform testing. Please find resources, videos, and further information for each session below.
JUMP TO:
May 28th, 2021: Exploring Vaccine Provision in Shelters: Approach and Strategy
April 30th, 2021: Black Community Led Vaccination Clinics: Thinking Beyond the Pandemic
March 19th, 2021: New Variants of Concern: Reviewing the Science and Understanding Community Impact
March 5th, 2021: What We Need to Do to Keep Schools Open
January 29th, 2021: COVID Vaccines – Ethics & Politics of Vaccine Distribution and Uptake
January 15th, 2021: COVID Vaccines – Participant -Driven Question & Answer Session
January 8th, 2021: COVID Vaccines – Are they effective? Are they safe? What does the data show us
May 28th, 2021
Exploring Vaccine Provision in Shelters: Approach and Strategy
The provision of COVID 19 vaccines in shelter and congregate-living locations began in late March 2021, across Toronto. Many health partners and organizations were involved in this effort, using various approaches and strategies to support uptake, which resulted in a variety of approaches in delivery. The goal of this conversation was to highlight the voice of community partners, explore vaccine uptake in shelters, the approaches and strategies used and offer an opportunity to learn from each other.
Panelists:
- Elizabeth Brioux, Fred Victor
- Andre Officer, Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre
- Pedram Mozaffari, Dixon Hall – Health Ambassador
- Grace Richandi & Tina Kaur, Inner City Health Associates
- Morgan Hillier, Alexa Caturay & Ameeta Mathur, Toronto Public Health
- Holly Knowles, Meaghan Elger & Sarah Nestico, St. Michael’s Hospital
- Jane Harrison, Anishnawbe Health Toronto
- Raymond Macareag, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre
Moderated by:
Vanessa Wright, NP, Crossroads Refugee Health Clinic WCH; Clinical Lead Community Response Team, WCH
Dr. Lisa Richardson, MD, MA, FRCP, Strategic Lead in Indigenous Health
Dr. Suvendrini Lena, Neurologist & Senior Medical Advisor, Pandemic Programs, WCH
April 30th, 2021
Black Community Led Vaccination Clinics: Thinking Beyond the Pandemic
Voices of leaders who bridge Black communities and healthcare organizations have conversations about their vision for healing in the pandemic and beyond. A powerful source of inspiration.
Speakers:
Lydia-Joi Marshall, President, Black Health Alliance
Sane Dube, Manager, Social Medicine and Population Health, UHN
Dr. Duate Adegbite, Family Physician, Toronto Western FHT & Physician Lead, Black Health Vaccine Initiative at TAIBU Community Health Centre
April 16th, 2021
Vaccine Variety & Safety – Science Reviewed with a Community Focus
Speakers:
Dr. Lisa Richardson, MD, MA, FRCP, Strategic Lead in Indigenous Health at WCH
Dr. Winder Gill, MD, FRCPC, ABIM, Internist, Clinical Immunologist & Allergist
Dr. Suvendrini Lena, Neurologist & Senior Medical Advisor, Pandemic Programs, WCH
Vanessa Wright, NP, Crossroads Refugee Health Clinic, Clinical Lead for the Community Response Team, WCH
March 19th, 2021
Variants: Reviewing the Science & Understanding Community Impact
Speakers:
Mona Loutfy, MD FRCP MPH Senior Scientist and Director, Women and HIV Research Program, WCH
Suvendrini Lena, MD FRCPC MPH Senior Medical Advisor Pandemic Programs, WCH
DISCUSSIONS
May 05, 2021 : What We Need to Do to Keep Schools Open
Speakers and Topics:
Lessons Learned from the fall: Sharing Learnings from Clinicians – Vanessa Wright, NP and Suvendrini Lena, MD, MPH. Co-leads of the WCH Community Response Team since the early summer of 2020, testing in shelters and schools, with a focus on community empowerment. They present data from school testing in Toronto and interviews with school principals on strategies to keep schools safe.
Indigenous Health care for and by Indigenous peoples – Principal Tanya Senk. Tanya is a Metis/Cree/Saulteaux educator, writer, researcher, community leader, speaker, lecturer and Principal of Kapapamahchakwew- Wandering School (k to 12), as well as the Centrally Assigned Principal in Indigenous Education through the Urban Indigenous Education Centre, Toronto District School Board. The Urban Indigenous Education Centre provides holistic supports for Indigenous students, community engagement and partnerships, professional learning opportunities, programming and curriculum development. Tanya has also been a Course Director at York University in the Faculty of Education, Teacher Education programs. As a PhD candidate at York University, her research interests include decolonizing and Indigenizing education.
January 29, 2021 : COVID Vaccines – Ethics & Politics of Vaccine Distribution and Uptake
What are the roots of vaccine distrust in Black and Indigenous and Communities of Colour? How do we engage together to ensure access and safety for our communities?
Speakers:
- Dr. Mike Anderson, Regional Indigenous Cancer Lead, Cancer Care Ontario
- Liben Gebremikael, Executive Director – TAIBU Community Health Centre
January 15th, 2021
COVID Vaccines – Participant -Driven Question & Answer Session
A chance for community leaders and workers to continue to discuss COVID-19 vaccines questions with each other and infectious disease expert, Dr. Mona Loutfy.
As vaccines are rolled out in our communities what do we need to know as community health advocates and care providers?
January 8th, 2021
COVID Vaccines – Are they effective? Are they safe? What does the data show us.
A session to provide a clear, detailed, and unbiased review of the data on vaccine trials for the lead COVID vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and Oxford/Astra Zeneca).
Presenters:
- Dr. Mona Loutfy, Senior Scientist & Director, Women and HIV Research Program, WCH Research Institute; Staff Physician at WCH; Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
- Dr. Winder Gill, Specialist in Clinical Immunology and Allergy
December 18th, 2020
Mobile and Pop up Testing: What Works?
- Cheryl Prescod, Executive Director, Black Creek Community Health Centre
- Michelle Westin, Senior Analyst – Planning, Quality and Risk, Black Creek Community Health Centre
- Harvey Manning, Director of Programs & Services, Anishnawbe Health Toronto
November 27th, 2020
Rapid Testing – Review of Evidence and POC Use in Community Settings
October 23rd, 2021
COVID-19 Saliva Testing – Pros and Cons
