International educated health care professionals organize for diversity, equity and inclusion
Horizon Health staff celebrated the launch of the international Educated Employee Resource Group (iERG) at the Saint John Regional Hospital on August 7.
The group plans to foster diversity, equity and inclusion for New Brunswick’s international educated health care professionals, starting in Menahqesk, also known as Saint John.
More than 100 people, including Horizon Health staff, family members and community organizations, joined the lively event that featured numerous cultural performances, live music, storytelling, a fashion show, and delectable fare.
Horizon Health President and CEO Margaret Melanson praised the event organizers and thanked the international educated staff for their contributions while also encouraging the sharing of their ideas at the health authority.
Saint John Newcomer Centre’s Executive Director Mohamed Bahga also took to the stage and offered words of solidarity.
The Canadian Health Coalition shared a table with the Madhu Verma Migrant Justice Centre and highlighted our joint work towards ending systemic racism in health care and promoting health care for all.
Andri Cahyadi was one of the event organizers. Originally from Indonesia, he is social worker with Horizon Health. For Cahyadi, the iERG is “a safe space to build sense of belonging, peer support and empowerment amongst international educated professionals.”
As for next steps, Cahyadi says the iERG hopes to work collaboratively with Horizon Health’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Welcome Team and will be organizing its first annual conference in the near future.
