We Are Women’s: BLACK HISTORY AND FUTURES MONTH
This Black History and Futures Month, we are spotlighting and celebrating our Black team and community members from across the organization as part of our We are Women’s series.
Name: Priscilla Adu-Poku
Pronouns: She/Her
Title & Department: Rotating Charge Registered Nurse, Peri-Anesthesia Unit
On the WCH team for: 7 years
1. Where were you born? If you were born outside of Canada, when did you come to Canada?
The country I am most familiar with and call home is Canada. Although I was born and raised in Toronto, specifically Scarborough, my parents, first-generation Ghanaian immigrants, instilled traditions and practices from their home country Ghana in me and my siblings. The diverse cultural backgrounds of Toronto’s east end coupled with my upbringing at home have enriched my perspective on life and health practices.
2. Why is Black History and Futures Month significant to you?
In Toronto, where Blackness isn’t something that’s widely discussed, I feel that Black History and Futures Month is necessary to showcase all the amazing contributions Black individuals are currently making and have made in the past. For many individuals who aren’t aware of Blackness and how it impacts the world around them, a month where the accomplishment of Black individuals is celebrated reminds us all how Black individuals have prevailed through unimaginable treatments and suffering to not only survive but also thrive!
3. How has your Black heritage influenced your work in healthcare?
Being a Black Canadian Healthcare professional is a role that is respected by many minorities. For example, I have had many Black patients come to me within the clinical setting and comment that they were so grateful to see me there, even in situations where I was not their primary care provider. Representation matters! A familiar smile can empower patients to engage in open dialogue and ask the appropriate questions, allowing for effective communication. This, coupled with my lived experience, allows me to become a link between the patient and access to quality care.