Retired leader ‘truly made a difference’
Catherine Cook [MD/87, M.Sc./03], a Métis physician and professor who championed Indigenous equity, was honoured as a trailblazer at her Rady retirement celebration in March.
“Dr. Cook has broken down barriers … and been a powerful voice in opposition to racism and colonialism,” said Peter Nickerson [B.Sc. (Med.)/86, MD/86], dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.
“She has inspired and mentored countless students and colleagues. She has truly made a difference.”
Speakers at the celebration paid tribute to Cook’s more than 35 years of advocacy for Indigenous health, education and achievement.
Cook began teaching at the UM medical college in 1989. In 2017, she played a key role in the creation of Ongomiizwin, the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing in the Rady Faculty. She led Ongomiizwin and concurrently served as vice-dean, Indigenous health of the Rady Faculty.
In 2020, Cook was appointed the inaugural vice-president (Indigenous) of UM. She led university-wide change in the areas of equity, access and participation.
“I’ve had a great career,” Cook told the audience. “Every one of you has made a really significant impact on how I’ve been able to do my work.”
Nursing alum honoured as outstanding teacher
Danielle Yaffe [BN/96], instructor II at the College of Nursing, received the 2023 Award for Excellence in Nursing Education (Non-Tenured) from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing. “This award … is very reflective of all the mentors I’ve had and my colleagues,” Yaffe said. “As a group, we’re very committed to providing high-quality nursing education, and we often inspire each other.”
Yaffe started teaching at the college in 2015 while pursuing her master’s degree in nursing from Athabasca University. Her experience includes teaching in simulation labs, skills labs and classroom environments, both in-person and virtually.
She said the COVID-19 pandemic had a transformative effect on nursing education and allowed her to grow as a teacher.
“The pandemic was terrible … but it offered so many challenges that sparked adaptability, creativity, innovation and building connections with students,” she said.
“I honestly think my best work happened during the pandemic, because we had to be so intentional around building relationships with students and checking in on each other.”
Yaffe is an eight-time recipient of the Nursing Students’ Association Teaching Excellence Award at UM.
Three-time alum receives national award
In April, Jayelle Friesen-Enns [B.Sc./17, M.Sc./23, MD/23] received a national Indspire Award, the highest honour the Indigenous community bestows upon its own people.
The recent UM medicine grad, who is of Cree and Métis descent and uses they/them pronouns, is currently a resident in emergency medicine at the University of Calgary.
“I hope that being an Indigenous physician makes the health-care system feel like a safer space for Indigenous people,” they said.
Friesen-Enns co-founded the Indigenous Medical Students’ Association of Canada and belongs to the Canadian Medical Association’s Indigenous Guiding Circle.
Their previous honours include the Doctors Manitoba Student Leadership Prize and the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award for medical students.
Friesen-Enns wants to improve culturally safe care and mentor Indigenous students. “We need more Indigenous doctors,” they said.