Mansbridge One on One: Dr. Nadine Caron, Canada's first female Indigenous surgeon

Summary

Dr. Nadine Caron, Canada's first female Indigenous surgeon, shares her journey from basketball player to medical pioneer. She discusses the cultural divide in healthcare, advocating for culturally safe practices and addressing the systemic racism faced by Indigenous patients. Dr. Caron's experiences highlight the need for trust, respect, and understanding in the medical field, as she strives to change perceptions and improve healthcare for Indigenous communities.

Takeaways

• 👩‍⚕️ Dr. Nadine Caron is Canada's first female Indigenous surgeon, breaking barriers in the medical field.
• 🏥 Dr. Caron emphasizes the importance of cultural history and background in patient care, advocating for culturally safe healthcare practices.
• 📚 As a professor at UBC, she educates on the intersection of medicine and anthropology, aiming to change healthcare for Indigenous peoples.
• 🏆 Her journey to becoming a surgeon began with a pivotal moment during a basketball championship, where she shadowed a surgeon for the summer.
• 🩸 Dr. Caron describes the emotional challenges of her profession, particularly in building trust with patients who are scared or in pain.
• 🌐 She discusses the disparities in healthcare availability and options between metropolitan areas and Indigenous communities.
• 🌿 Dr. Caron highlights the need for healthcare providers to understand and respect the cultural backgrounds of their patients.
• 💔 She shares personal experiences and stories that reveal the systemic racism present within the healthcare system.
• 👵 A poignant moment is shared where an elderly Indigenous patient expresses relief and joy at being treated by an Indigenous doctor for the first time.
• 👨‍⚕️ Dr. Caron recounts a story of a colleague's racist comment and the subsequent apology, illustrating the potential for change and growth within the medical community.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 She discusses the impact of Canada's history with residential schools on successive generations, including her own family.

Q & A

Who is Dr. Nadine Caron?

Dr. Nadine Caron is Canada's first female Indigenous surgeon, working at a hospital in Prince George, British Columbia.

What is Dr. Caron's approach to treating Indigenous patients?

Dr. Caron emphasizes the importance of considering the patient as the expert, including their cultural history and background in their treatment.

What impact does racism have on Dr. Caron's patients?

Racism affects Dr. Caron's patients by causing distress and concern, which can lead to a lack of trust in the healthcare system and potentially hinder necessary medical care.

How did Dr. Caron become interested in a career in medicine?

Dr. Caron's interest in medicine was sparked during a visit to Jackson, Tennessee, where she shadowed a surgeon and was deeply impressed by the surgeon's calm and focused approach during an emergency operation.

What challenges does Dr. Caron face as a surgeon in Prince George?

Dr. Caron faces challenges such as the emotional difficulty of building trust with patients who are scared or in pain, and the reality that the medical options she learned in metropolitan centers may not always be feasible for her patients in Prince George.

Why is cultural competence important in healthcare according to Dr. Caron?

Cultural competence is important because it allows healthcare providers to build trust and understanding with their patients, leading to more effective treatments and better patient outcomes.

What is an example of racism Dr. Caron has witnessed within the healthcare system?

Dr. Caron recounts an incident where an elderly First Nations patient cried upon meeting her, expressing relief at seeing an Indigenous doctor for the first time in her life, highlighting the systemic lack of Indigenous representation in healthcare.

How does Dr. Caron handle patients who are not comfortable with her Indigenous background?

While Dr. Caron has not personally experienced patients refusing her care due to her Indigenous background, she chooses not to share her background with those who are not Indigenous, anticipating that it would not be viewed positively.

What was the outcome of a racist comment made by a fellow surgeon that Dr. Caron confronted?

After a fellow surgeon made a racist comment, Dr. Caron responded and later received a heartfelt apology from him years later, indicating a change in his perspective and a recognition of his past biases.

How does Dr. Caron's family history relate to her work and message?

Dr. Caron's family history, including her mother's experience as a residential school survivor and her own journey to becoming a surgeon, underscores her message about the importance of cultural understanding and the potential for positive change in Canada.

What is Dr. Caron's vision for the future, particularly for her daughter?

Dr. Caron hopes for a future where Canadians have higher expectations for themselves, no longer tolerating racism or discrimination, and where her daughter can be proud of her Indigenous heritage without facing prejudice.