Dr. Pam Kapend is Niagara Health's Chief of Emergency Medicine for South Niagara. This column appeared in the St. Catharines Standard, Niagara Falls Review and Welland Tribune.
As Emergency Department physicians, we see countless patients daily, each with unique experiences, backgrounds and needs. Providing competent, quality care requires more than medical expertise; it demands recognizing and addressing the diversity within our communities.
In Niagara, where our population continues to grow and diversify, this reflection of diversity in healthcare is essential. Representation and a culturally sensitive approach in all areas of healthcare are not just ideals — they are vital drivers of trust, access and better health outcomes.
When patients walk through hospital doors, their cultural identities, experiences and backgrounds should be viewed as strengths. Yet, too often, these differences can inadvertently create barriers to care. Recognizing this, Niagara Health established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to address these gaps. The committee’s goal is to break down obstacles and foster an environment where culturally sensitive, comprehensive care is the norm.
Our work began in 2020 with a fundamental question: How can we ensure everyone in our diverse community has fair access to the care they need? The answer is multifaceted, requiring intentional efforts to dismantle long-standing inequities.
The statistics are stark. In Canada, Black women face a maternal mortality rate 1.5 times higher than their non-Black counterparts and are over three times more likely to experience postpartum complications — often linked to implicit biases and insufficient culturally competent care.
Dr. Pam Kapend is Niagara Health's Chief of Emergency Medicine for South Niagara
Indigenous Peoples experience the worst health outcomes of any population group in Canada, with Indigenous women disproportionately affected by chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension, alongside higher rates of mental illness and suicide.
Homelessness further complicates healthcare access, with homeless individuals in Ontario facing mortality rates up to four times higher than the general population, frequently relying on emergency services for conditions better managed through primary care.
These figures are more than numbers; they represent real people whose lives are shaped by systemic barriers in healthcare. Understanding these realities and embedding cultural competence into our care models allow us to provide tailored resources that go beyond standard approaches.
In the Emergency Department, trust between physician and patient is paramount. When patients feel understood and respected, they are more likely to share personal concerns, seek care earlier, and follow through on medical advice. Representation in healthcare — ensuring our workforce reflects the communities we serve — plays a critical role in building this trust. By creating a healthcare system where every individual feels seen and heard, we can take meaningful steps toward achieving true health equity.
Niagara Health’s commitment to DEI reflects this understanding. As our region’s demographics evolve, our healthcare practices must also adapt. Through training, policy reforms and community engagement, we are working to build a system where every person feels genuinely valued and supported.
This work aligns with a broader, provincewide effort to drive meaningful change in healthcare. Niagara Health is proud to contribute to these conversations, learn from best practices across Ontario, and host opportunities like the upcoming Transforming Care: DEI and Health Equity Knowledge Exchange conference. This event will enable us to share insights, expand our strategies, and deepen our commitment to creating a healthcare system that serves all communities equitably.
Fair, inclusive and representative healthcare benefits everyone. While this work is neither easy nor quick, it is essential. By addressing systemic barriers and fostering inclusion, we can create a healthier, more equitable future for Niagara — and beyond.
