Advancing Black Nursing Leadership
Bloomberg Nursing invites you attend our Black Futures Month – Advancing Black Nursing Leadership Lunch and Learn Series, a month-long initiative honouring and celebrating Black History Month.
Join us for three lunch and learn sessions featuring alumni and students who will discuss the impact of Black Nurses in leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the ways in which Black nursing students are creating positive community spaces to support future Black nursing leaders.
Session 1 – Belonging – Perspectives from a Nurse Leader
Featuring Natalie Madramootoo (MN 21), Patient Care Manager of the ED, St. Joseph’s Unity Health
February 13, 2024 | 12 PM – 1 PM | Online via Zoom
Natalie Madramootoo will discuss her experiences and perspectives as a Black nursing leader throughout both her educational journey and her career which has included critical care nursing, health systems leadership and a commitment to excellent and equitable community care through a variety of community initiatives.
Natalie is a highly accomplished critical care clinician and nurse administrator, currently holding the position of Patient Care Manager of the Emergency Department St. Joseph’s Unity Health in Toronto. Throughout her career, Natalie has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the field of healthcare, continuously striving for excellence in patient care, research, and nursing leadership.
Natalie’s educational journey laid the foundation for her impressive career. She earned her degrees in Nursing Science and Nursing Leadership from prestigious institutions, including McMaster University and the University of Toronto. These academic achievements not only equipped her with the necessary knowledge but also instilled in her a deep passion for nursing and healthcare administration.
Her dedication to research became evident during her fellowship at the Schulich Heart Program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, where she actively contributed to advancing evidence-based practices. This experience reinforced her commitment to improving patient outcomes and driving innovation in the healthcare field.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Natalie has been an influential figure in various community initiatives. Notably, she plays a role in the UHN STEAM program, introducing high school students in Ontario to the profound and diverse world of nursing. Her involvement in philanthropic efforts extends to contributions to the UHN Impact Collective, where she actively participates in initiatives aimed at making a positive impact on healthcare services. Additionally, she is a dedicated member of the Black Inclusive Philanthropic group at Scarborough Health Network, showcasing her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity within healthcare.
Natalie is also highly engaged in the broader healthcare community. She is a prominent member of the Nursing Leadership Network of Ontario, where she collaborates with fellow leaders to shape the future of nursing and healthcare in the province. Additionally, she serves on the board of Taibu Community Health Centre and Women’s Health in Women Hands Health Centre furthering her commitment to community health and well-being.
Natalie’s pursuit of knowledge didn’t stop with her nursing degrees. She has expanded her expertise by pursuing an MBA, a decision that has broadened her perspective on the interconnectedness of health with other sectors. This holistic approach has enriched her ability to lead and innovate in the healthcare field.
In her professional capacity, Natalie remains deeply involved in clinical practice within the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) across Toronto. Her emphasis on mentorship and continuous learning has not only elevated her own career but also nurtured the growth of countless aspiring healthcare professionals under her guidance.
Beyond her professional achievements, Natalie is a dedicated mother of two, balancing the demands of her career with the joys of motherhood. In her leisure time, she has a keen appreciation for the arts, fashion, and music, which reflects her well-rounded and creative personality.
Session 2 – The Black Nursing Student Experience: Finding our Voice Through Community
Featuring Safiya Nur (BScN 24) and Sarah Elkhalifa (BScN 24)
February 21, 2024 | 12 PM – 1 PM | Online via Zoom
Sarah and Safiya are current second-year BScN students and the President and Vice-President respectively of the U of T Chapter of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA). They will speak to the importance of creating a space for Black nursing students to feel empowered and will share their goals for the future of the UofT CBNA.
Sarah Elkhalifa is a second-year student in the BScN program at the University of Toronto. She attended the University of Waterloo and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Health Studies, minoring in Gerontology. As President of the CBNA – UofT, she envisions creating a space for Black nursing students to feel empowered to succeed in their professional nursing careers, while advocating for equity and inclusion in healthcare.
Safiya Nur is a second-year nursing student in the Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto in Human Biology (Global Health) with a double minor in Biology and Psychology. As Vice President of CBNA-UofT, her goal is to foster a space for Black nursing students to connect with one another, share their experiences, and achieve excellence in their careers.
Session 3 – Beyond the Bedside: Navigating Your Nursing Career Toward Infinite Opportunities
Featuring Denika McPherson (MN-NP 21), Senior Business Advisor for the Government of Ontario
February 28, 2024 | 12 PM – 1 PM | Online via Zoom
Denika McPherson (MN – NP 21) will share her experience and perspective moving from clinical nursing to health care leadership, her passion for mentorship and health innovation, and the importance of leaving a lasting impact everywhere you go.
Denika McPherson brings over fourteen years of healthcare experience in critical care, primary care, digital health, academia at the college and university level and people and operations leadership. She is a Senior Business Advisor for the Ontario Government, an After-Hours Clinical Manager at Unity Health and an Examiner with Touchstone Institute.
She has served as a mentor for three different faculty programs at the University of Toronto (U of T), an RNAO best practice guidelines stakeholder, contributor and evaluator, a pitch competition evaluator, an MIT Hackathon mentor, Canadian Critical Care Trials Group Equity Diversity and Inclusion Working Group member and hospital committee chair. She is a U of T alumnus of the Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner Program with a Collaborative Specialization in Resuscitation Sciences. Demonstrating her commitment to continuous personal and professional development, Denika then completed the Executive MBA Essentials certificate program at the Rotman School of Management, a fellowship with ICON Talent Partners and is also an alumnus of the U of Ts Black Founders Network, an entrepreneur accelerator within the U of T Entrepreneurship network.
She’s received corporate awards for Excellence in Nursing and Leadership. She firmly believes that leadership is not a title, it is about making others and organizations better due to your presence and ensuring that the the positive impact lasts beyond your absence. Denika is passionate about macro or system-level impact, operational excellence, healthcare, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Outside of work, Denika enjoys photography, playing steelpan, high-intensity interval training, visiting museums and libraries, attending cultural events around the city, cooking and travelling. She has visited every continent except Antarctica, which is on her list.