Aaron Hagos

• I provide empathetic, non-judgmental support to individuals in crisis via text, offering 24/7 assistance (usually night shifts 11p.m.-7a.m.).
• Applying active listening and problem-solving skills developed through 36 hours of specialized training to help clients navigate distress and achieve calm.
• I demonstrate strong communication and emotional support abilities relevant to patient care in clinical settings.

As part of the Reading and Running Club, I mentor elementary students in literacy and fitness, fostering resilience, self‑confidence, higher reading levels (Journaling), and healthy habits. The school where I mentor is Queen Mary Public School.

• Support health promotion initiatives focused on improving care access and outcomes for underserved communities, with a focus on women of African descent.
• Conduct literature reviews and contribute to the design and implementation of qualitative research projects, including community-based focus groups.
• Assisted in drafting research summaries and recommendations to support evidence-informed public health interventions.
• Collaborate on the planning and delivery of health equity events such as Welcome Ottawa Week and the Emancipation Summit, promoting community engagement and culturally responsive care.
• A member of the peer-Equity Navigator Program (Contract Part-time placement from February 2025-September 2025). As part of this program,

- I promote health equity within African, Caribbean, and Black communities (ACBs) through culturally informed outreach, education, and advocacy.

- Lead interactive HIV education sessions and connect individuals to accessible, culturally safe care.

- Contribute to community-based research and support health equity events focused on anti-racist care and public health awareness.

• Trained in Basic Life Support (BLS) and currently progressing toward certification as a Medical First Responder (MFR).
• Provide first aid support at community events, assisting with real-time emergency response and patient care.
• Develop critical decision-making, teamwork, and communication skills applicable to clinical and healthcare environments.

• Provide consistent, patient-centered support as part of Bruyère’s integrated “Volunteer Unit Model,” contributing to overall quality of care alongside clinical teams.
• Conduct regular volunteer rounds to offer companionship, respond to non-clinical needs, and support patient comfort and well-being.
• Assist with mealtime support, friendly visits, room organization, and unit activities, helping to create a calming, dignified care environment (delivering products to patients, such as flowers!).
• Trained in compassionate communication and end-of-life care to better serve patients and families in long-term and palliative care settings.

• Support inclusive community engagement by assisting with weekly social programs for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism.
• Help organize and participate in group outings, including Friday Nights that include movies, sports events, and dinners, promoting social connection (virtual or in-person) and belonging.
• Foster relationship-building and community integration through inclusive recreational activities.

Contract part-time Summer Internship:

• Supported the preparation and organization of laboratory materials and equipment to facilitate efficient instruction in undergraduate science labs.
• Accurately prepared chemical reagents and solutions in accordance with strict safety and procedural guidelines, reinforcing safe laboratory practices.
• Provided instructional support during lab sessions by answering student questions, clarifying experimental concepts, and promoting safety compliance demonstrating strong communication and mentorship skills.
• Maintained detailed inventory logs and monitored chemical usage to ensure proper storage and adherence to safety protocols.
• Collaborated closely with teaching assistants and faculty to ensure seamless delivery of lab procedures and enhance the learning environment.

As part of HSS4101[B] Course Project | uOttawa x CMHA x CityStudio Ottawa, these are what I worked on:

• Collaborated with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ottawa to develop a public health education resource focused on opioid harm reduction for students aged 9–18.
• Designed and presented "A Learning Guide on Opioids for Students", targeting both youth and their key influencers (teachers, guardians), with the goal of improving awareness and reducing stigma around opioid use.
• Investigated social determinants and early health behaviors influencing opioid misuse among youth, and assessed how early harm reduction education can influence behavior over a two-year period.
• Synthesized academic literature and harm reduction frameworks into a knowledge product tailored to the needs of local school communities.
• Engaged in applied health promotion by aligning project outputs with real-world policy challenges, including Ontario’s defunding of harm reduction programs.
• Received positive feedback from CMHA Ottawa staff and university faculty for the project’s relevance, evidence-based approach, and community impact.

• Conducted a research project exploring the impact of parental physical activity on the placental immune environment, with emphasis on fetal-origin macrophages (Hofbauer cells) and their role in immune regulation and fetal development.
• Developed and optimized immunofluorescence staining protocols on placental tissue, including dual-marker techniques to differentiate cell types.
• Gained hands-on experience with antibody-based detection methods, troubleshooting staining issues such as autofluorescence and non-specific binding.
• Investigated immune cell polarization and its connection to anti-inflammatory pathways, enhancing my understanding of systemic immunity and maternal-fetal health.
• Strengthened laboratory, critical thinking, and data interpretation skills, building a strong foundation in evidence-based health science applicable to clinical care settings, including dentistry.

Organized campus initiatives (tabling, bake sale, presentations) to promote free, confidential mental health services for post-secondary students, collaborated with peers to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and share wellness resources.

Also posting on social media and sharing educational tips, resources, and positive affirmations!