This important webinar was led by Maria Panzera Rugg and guest speakers Donna Lawrence and Yinka Oladele. The episode centres the lived experiences of black clinicians and caregivers in Canadian palliative care, highlighting racism, cultural strengths, and the emotional labour of caring while black.
It calls listeners to move from awareness to action by practicing allyship, advancing equity and transforming palliative care systems. Please share this episode with your friends and colleagues!
Attendees:
- Deepened their understanding of how anti‑Black racism shapes palliative care experiences.
- Participants will be able to recognize how systemic racism, microaggressions, and institutional barriers impact Black clinicians, caregivers, patients, and families — and identify ways these inequities show up in their own care environments.
- Strengthened awareness of culturally safe and culturally humble care practices.
- Participants will explore how Black cultural traditions, spirituality, family structures, and community values influence caregiving at end of life, and apply strategies to provide care that honours these strengths while reducing harm
- Built practical skills for allyship and accountability in palliative care settings.
- Participants will identify concrete actions they can take — individually and within teams — to interrupt racism, support Black colleagues and caregivers, and contribute to more equitable, inclusive palliative care systems across Canada.
