Announcement: Danielle Alcock, PhD, appointed as Indigenous Leader in Residence
Danielle Alcock, PhD, has been appointed as the Indigenous Leader in Residence (ILIR) effective February 11. In this role, she will also be an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
The ILIR acts as a champion for all aspects of the Indigenous Health Action Plan and for leading Schulich Medicine & Dentistry in achieving the goals outlined by the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada action items that specifically relate to health care education.
As the ILIR, Alcock, who is a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, will also work to forge respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, particularly those in Southwestern Ontario, that support engagement and collaboration.
“I think the end goal is going to be making sure that Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is a space that is representative of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities,” said Alcock, who obtained both her Master of Arts and Doctorate of Philosophy in Anthropology from Western University, with a focus on Indigenous health and memory loss. “To achieve that goal, it will be important to work with community partners to find out what that looks like, and I hope that we can foster relationships that go well beyond just my role.”
Alcock has held advocacy roles with the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) since 2016. Most recently, she held the Aboriginal Patient Navigator position with the SOAHAC where she offered advocacy and culturally safe holistic support to Indigenous clients at the five hospitals in London and the surrounding area.
She has been involved in community engagement for years, serving on a number of boards and committees. Alcock is an advisory member of the Ontario Caring Advisory Council, a member of the Patient Experience Committee at London Health Sciences Centre and a post-secondary mentor for the Babamadiziwin Program at Chippewas of Rama First Nation. She is also on the executive board of the Deshkan Ziibi Chapter of the Ontario Native Women’s Association and a mentee with the Indigenous Mentorship Network Program of Ontario.
“Dr. Alcock brings the perfect mix of experience, knowledge, research and advocacy to the role in order to help Schulich Medicine & Dentistry achieve the goal of becoming a more inclusive space for Indigenous faculty, staff and learners and improving Indigenous health as a whole,” said Dr. Jay Rosenfield, Vice Dean, Education at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.
The ILIR is a new role for Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and was created following several months of planning and extensive consultation with Indigenous leaders across Southwestern Ontario.
