Indigenous Health in the ED
with Jennefer Simo
This talk is focussed on Indigenous health in the emergency department. Jennefer Simo, a community support worker, shares her background and role in Indigenous health initiatives, highlighting the barriers faced by Indigenous individuals in accessing healthcare. She emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to understand the historical and generational trauma experienced by Indigenous communities. The talk discusses the significance of spirituality in Indigenous culture and the importance of recognizing and respecting Indigenous patients' spiritual beliefs. The talk aims to raise awareness about the unique healthcare needs of Indigenous individuals and the importance of cultural understanding and support.
About Jennefer Simo
Jenny Simo is an Indigenous Community Support Worker at Unity Health Toronto, in the St. Michael’s Hospital Emergency Department and The Rotary Transition Centre. She is also a Co-Chair with the FNIIM CAP (First Nations Indigenous Inuit and Metis Community Advisory Panel). The FNIIM CAP helps to support UHT with the implementation of the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Committee) Recommendations by actively leading, sharing of cultural knowledge and lived experience to guide programming, policy development, and culturally-safe care and treatment for our Indigenous Community. She is also a liaison from St. Michael’s Hospital as a member of the Toronto Police Service Mental Health and Additions Advisory Panel, MCIT Subcommittee and ARAP. She is a consultant/hiring committee member with the City of Toronto for the Non-Police Crisis Response Pilot which will be launched in the spring 2022 for the Indigenous-led Community Crisis Support Service.