Doc Talks: Embedding Indigenous Health and Reconciliation in Medical Education with Dr. Jamaica Cass

Dr. Jamaica Cass discusses her work in Indigenous health, emphasizing the importance of incorporating decolonization and reconciliation into medical education. She provides insights into her role as the Indigenous health lead, including creating a culturally safe admissions process and developing a longitudinal, mandatory curriculum that addresses the colonial roots of Indigenous health disparities. She also talks about how she approaches her clinical practice serving an Indigenous community and ways to approach this work with care. As Indigenous Health Lead, Dr. Jamaica Cass will participate in providing guidance in all aspects of work at the school of medicine. This will include working with the executive committee to develop an Indigenous admissions policy, pursue Indigenous community engagement and develop an Indigenous Health curriculum. A member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Turtle Clan, Dr. Cass practices Indigenous Health as a primary care physician on-reserve at Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. In addition, as an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Queen's University, she currently supervises both undergraduate clerks and family medicine residents. Dr. Cass earned her PhD from Queen's University in breast cancer molecular biology before pursuing a career in medicine. She completed her Medical Doctorate at Tulane University, and completed her family medicine residency at the University of Calgary.