S3 Ep2: Why better medicine for Indigenous peoples is better medicine for all. Featuring Dr. Todd Alec and Dr. Sheona Mitchell-Foster

Qualitycast North

It is well established that Indigenous peoples accessing the health system are subject to harm, and a lower quality of care. Many healthcare organizations are acknowledging this truth and making commitments to address systemic anti-Indigenous racism and improve cultural safety within the healthcare system. In this episode, we’re hearing from Northern Healths collaborative medical leads for Indigenous Health Drs Todd Alec and Sheona Mitchell-Foster. Dr. Alec is an Indigenous physician originally from Nak'azdli Whut'en, Beaver Clan. He currently practices family medicine with Carrier Sekani Family Services, located on the traditional territories of the Lheidli T’enneh (colonially known as Prince George), and also provides care through the First Nations Health Authority's Virtual Doctor of the Day program.
Dr. Sheona Mitchell-Foster is a settler obstetrician-gynecologist also based on unceded Lheidli T’enneh territory. In addition to providing high risk obstetrical care and full spectrum surgical gynecology, she teaches with the Northern Medical Program and has research interests in low-barrier options of cervical cancer screening for Indigenous women in the north.
Drs Alec and Mitchell-Foster share their experiences and learnings, and discuss how healthcare providers can strive to deliver culturally safe care, to uphold Indigenous people’s rights to self- determined health and wellness. They also share how they live their values, and find joy in sharing time and staying active with their families in Northern BC.

We’d like to note that Indigenous is a general term inclusive of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. We acknowledge that inclusive terms have the potential to diminish diversity and the unique realities of different peoples. The use of Indigenous in this case is intended as an inclusive commitment to improving health outcomes for each group.