By Tony D’Amato Stortz
Published in March 2019
The Guests of Honour at the 2019 Mayors’ Dinner are all people who did not wait for permission to do the right thing.
As healthcare professionals, they saw a need in our community and took the initiative. They tackle Hepatitis C, refugee health, and primary care for those experiencing homelessness. They return day after day to do it again. Their efforts are chipping away at the major health issues in our community from the ground up, rather than the all-too-familiar route of top-down healthcare.
This compassionate initiative, this reduction of harm, this grassroots approach to healthcare is what we will be celebrating at the 32nd Annual Mayors’ Dinner.
Dr. George Berrigan & Evelyn Gurney
Dr. George Berrigan and Evelyn Gurney, RN are the heart of St. John’s Clinic, the primary care centre located within St. John’s Kitchen. From that office, within an integrated community of supports, they care for those experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental health issues, and the complex health problems that arise. It is challenging work that responds to many interconnected problems. Every day they must go beyond just seeing the illness, or even just the patient, but must extend to see the patient within their world. Issues that normally require no more than rest, sleep, or good nutrition become much more complex when viewed through the lens of chronic homelessness. Dr. Berrigan and Evelyn look through that lens every day and form part of a community of supports for up to 2,000 patients, doing so with a smile and a kind, open approach.
Dr. Chris & Michelle Steingart
Dr. Chris and Michelle Steingart founded Sanguen, a charitable Hepatitis C clinic which has grown to become much more than just that. Sanguen has a mobile community health van which meets people where they are, and provides primary care, clean needles, and even fresh socks. They also run a program where teams go out and find used needles to dispose of them safely. Their initiatives come, not from a top-down approach of how to solve the opioid crisis, but from the grassroots. They see the problem and do what they can to reduce harm on the ground, where their work benefits those who need it most.
Dr. Michael Stephenson & Margaret Brockett
Dr. Michael Stephenson (Dr. Mike) and Margaret Brockett are the physician and associate director of Sanctuary Refugee Health Centre. This organization rose from humble beginnings in a church basement and grew from there. As more refugees came to Waterloo Region, Sanctuary grew alongside them. When it became clear more services were needed to reduce the barriers their patients face, they added them on, often paying out of pocket or finding creative ways to get funding. They have translators and social workers alongside their healthcare providers. This allows them to meet the patients where they are and walk with them through the healthcare system, bridging the gaps as they find them. Sanctuary serves the person in front of them, and in doing so, creates a healthier community for all of us.
These six individuals and the organizations they represent are truly remarkable.
The simplicity and generosity implicit in this grassroots approach is a model for effective healthcare. These individuals saw a need and took the initiative. They help those most in need of care; serve individuals experiencing addiction; guide refugees through a complex system in a new and unfamiliar country. Their good work makes our community a better, kinder, healthier place. They will be honoured at the 32nd Annual Mayors’ Dinner on April 13th, 2019.
