Award for Excellence in Education for Equity Recipients

Dr. Amy Bombay, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine

Dr. Suzanne Zinck, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine

The care of trans and gender-diverse youth is a priority area in health care. Yet, because most physicians and primary care providers consider this a specialty area, few have the required knowledge to care for this historically underserved population. Dr. Zinck, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, has been educating physicians from across the province to understand the incredible resilience of these youth and families despite the institutional stigma, discrimination and waitlists they currently face. The impact of Dr. Zinck’s work is profound: through student mentorship and physician education, she has passionately contributed to the overall health and well-being of trans and gender-diverse youth and their families from across the province and beyond.

Dr. Lisa Goldberg, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health

Lisa Goldberg, an associate professor in the School of Nursing, is receiving Dal’s award for education for diversity. In particular, Dr. Goldberg is being celebrated for her work enhancing Dal’s Nursing curriculum by applying the “Caring Science” approach to teaching and mentorship. These changes provide more opportunities for students to have exposure to important considerations in the health-care system, like the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. Wrote one nominator: “She creates a safe space for students to discuss issues of heteronormativity, sexism, racism, ableism, etc. Within this space of diversity dialogue, she is able to address issues of socially constructed marginalization so that students can continue their own journey of present and life-long learning about diversity.”

Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard, School of Social Work

The inaugural recipient for this award, Wanda Thomas Bernard has been with the School of Social Work for over 25 years. Dr. Bernard advocates great teaching and learning within the Dalhousie community and beyond. Her willingness to develop innovative curricula reforms that take diversity seriously is demonstrated over and over again in her engagement in her own courses and within her department. She has authored numerous pieces that share her practices with a wider audience, and has been a role model, mentor, and friend for many students and colleagues at Dalhousie and in the region more generally. Last year Dr. Bernard was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia and this April received the national Harry Jerome Award for community service.

Diversity in the Classroom

Dal News, Matt Reeder - November 6, 2015