Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic

Zainab Awad, BHSc,MPH

Thorold,ON

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Manager, Health Equity

Niagara Health
Niagara Region, ON
09.2023 - Current
  • Develop and articulate a strategic vision for advancing health equity within the hospital. Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive initiatives to address disparities in healthcare outcomes.
  • Stay abreast of evolving policies, regulations, and best practices related to health equity. Advocate for policies and programs that promote equitable access to healthcare employment and services local and provincial levels.
  • Establish and maintain partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
  • Utilize data analytics and research findings to identify disparities and inform decision-making processes. Develop metrics to monitor progress in addressing health disparities and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
  • Collaborate with senior leadership, department heads, and other key stakeholders to integrate equity principles into the hospital's strategic priorities, policies, and operations.
  • Develop and implement training programs for hospital staff to enhance EDI competency and skills in delivering equitable care. Provide guidance and support to departments in implementing equity-focused initiatives.
  • Provide guidance and support to quality improvement teams in developing and implementing interventions to identify and address disparities.
  • Serve as a spokesperson for the hospital on issues related to health equity. Develop and implement public education campaigns to raise awareness of health disparities and promote health equity initiatives.
  • Provide training and facilitate crucial conversations with Board, Senior Leadership and critical partners including Medical Affairs.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist

Niagara Health
Niagara Region, ON
01.2021 - 09.2023
  • Develop strategy and detailed action plans with short and long term goals, key deliverables, milestones and accountabilities with key stakeholders
  • Lead strategic EDI input into key organizational processes, such as policy updates and implementation, recruitment and selection, a leadership framework and performance management appraisals
  • Developed an organization-wide education plan and lead/facilitate all EDI trainings and workshops for Board, Leadership, Medical Affairs, physicians and staff
  • Develop and implement positive action approaches to increase diversity and inclusion at all levels across the organization
  • Develop and implement initiatives to advance employee engagement in EDI
  • Consult with Workplace Relations and Labour Relations on EDI and human rights related matters using comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontarians with Disabilities Act and other human rights legislation
  • Lead Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, DEI Champions and establishment of Employee Resource Groups
  • Advocated for and in collaboration with relevant departments, lead the implementation of first Diversity Mentorship Program (Extraordinary Us) at NH
  • Work with internal and external partners to ensure improved representation and a more equitable and inclusive culture including establishing community outreach program to build relationships with organizations supporting equity-deserving groups
  • Identify trends in challenges and proactively implement measures to address based on best practice and lead organizational efforts to supporting IENs and other Internationally Educated Health Professionals.

Chair

Niagara Refugee Roundtable
St. Catharines, ON
05.2018 - Current
  • Lead committee to fulfill its purpose of easing access for newcomers and refugees to Mental Health services in Niagara
  • Construct effective work-plan and goals to address barriers and meet the needs of our target population
  • Gather community partners, delegate discussions and ensure effective relationships between stakeholders
  • Lead region-wide initiative to overcome stigma to mental health among newcomers and ensure equality within service provision.

Program Coordinator

Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre
St. Catharines, ON
02.2019 - 12.2023
  • Program manager of three internal departments: Mental Health, Youth Services and Central Intake
  • Chair of Partnerships Committee, Fundraising and Health and Safety Committee
  • Strategic planning and policy - member of Strategic Planning Committee worked hand in hand with CEO to on development, implementation plan and marketing for organizations new strategic plan for next 5 years
  • Responsible for all grant-writing specific to program and organization as a whole
  • Developed new case management procedures for organization to ensure client needs are met and implemented change management
  • Construct effective work-plan and goals to address barriers and meet the needs of our target population
  • Manage budget for 5 projects to deliver adequate programming to clients.

Council Member - Chief of Police Community Inclusion Council

Niagara Regional Police Services
Niagara Falls, ON
09.2019 - 08.2023
  • Position the NRPS, its advisory committees and the Chief of Police with knowledge and resources to encourage a range of perspectives, experiences and ideas in decision-making
  • Provide advice and support in the development and implementation of policies and programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Advise the Chief on promoting equity, inclusion and diversity in the way the Service delivers programs and services.

Board Member

Contact Niagara
St. Catharines, ON
11.2019 - 01.2021
  • Strategic planning for organization
  • Monitoring and managing financial resources
  • Maintain effective partnerships and communication within community, organization members and stakeholders
  • Working on new strategic plan for organization and short and long-term planning strategies.

Mental Health Program Coordinator

Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre
St. Catharines, ON
01.2018 - 02.2019
  • Organized and lead a Newcomer-specific Regional Mental Health symposium in Niagara
  • Coordinate, plan and directed activities of first Mental Health for Newcomers and Refugees
  • Lead a regional environmental scan and literature review assessing systematic gaps in Mental Health services
  • Collected, organized and assessed data regarding program to sufficiently meet funder requirements
  • Planned, assigned and executed several research projects in collaboration with students from McMaster University, Mohawk College and Brock University to ensure adequate evaluation of program and identification of gaps within system
  • Analyze and accurately evaluate operations and services of Mental Health and Addiction programs in Niagara
  • Established and maintained effective relationships with community partners
  • Planning and facilitating programs to promote mental health and well-being among newcomers and refugees.

Youth Worker

Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre
St. Catharines, ON
09.2017 - 01.2018
  • Planning, organizing and facilitating programs to promote holistic development in youth
  • Provide leadership in coaching and assisted youth with integration
  • Assist with professional development, workshops, resume building and job-search.

Research Assistant

Brock University
St. Catharines, ON
05.2017 - 08.2017
  • Concussion Management Research Project
  • Evaluated current concussion care practices and health care delivery in Niagara.

Youth Adult Peer Leader

Niagara Region Public Health Department
St. Catharines, ON
06.2016 - 05.2017
  • Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention Division
  • Worked with community groups to emphasize prevention, health education and health promotion
  • Developed tobacco cessation and mental health projects and campaigns with newcomer youth which were presented at public events.

Research Assistant

Gezira State
Khartoum, Sudan
06.2014 - 09.2014
  • Project aimed to assess impact of Nerica cultivation on small-scale rice stakeholders
  • Conducted data collection and analysis, assisted with focused group discussions and participatory mapping exercises.

Education

Workplace Investigation Techniques -

Rubin Thomlinson LLP
02.2023

Certificate, Project Management -

Brock University, Goodman School of Business
02.2022

Leadership Development Certificate - Leadership And Management

Brock University Goodman School of Business
11-2019

Masters of Public Health - Public Health

Brock University
St. Catharines, ON
12-2017

Bachelor of Science (Honours), Life Science - Life Sciences

McMaster University
Hamilton, ON
06-2016

Skills

  • Extensive experience with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and leading sustainable culture change and transformation
  • Superior interpersonal, teamwork and conflict management skills and skilled facilitator who can bring people to the table and create a safe space for open, insightful dialogue that propels diversity, inclusion and equity work forward
  • Experience collaborating with various stakeholders in order to build and maintain strong working relationships
  • Experience leading and participating in community development projects involving policy analysis, data synthesis and knowledge mobilization
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple complex projects involving several internal and external stakeholders with sound ability to analyze and understand complex service delivery systems and make recommendations for service improvements that can be realistically implemented and clearly communicated to various audience
  • Excellent ability to write, review, and implement work plans, interviews, funding and grant requests for proposal, strategic plans and reviews, and related presentation materials with sound knowledge of various virtual intelligence software applications: social media contents on various platforms, creating key performance indicators and measurable outcomes using and applying cloud based technology, conducting virtual webinars, as well as traditional software such as MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc
  • Ability to thrive in an environment with frequent and competing deadlines, multiple tasks and high performing expectations that are rapidly changing and able to work flexible hours
  • 10 years research experience, survey building and projects specific to health promotion, quality improvement and mental health of newcomers
  • Skilled in SPSS and SAS data systems
  • Fluent in Arabic

Certification

  • PMP (Qualifying)
  • Workplace Investigations
  • OTRU
  • TEACH training
  • WHIMS
  • AODA& Human Rights Training
  • Health & Safety
  • TCPS2: Core Ethics Training
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Crisis Intervention
  • SafeTALK
  • OCASI Accessibility and Equity
  • Mental Health Promotion: Immigrants and Refugees
  • Call it Out Racism
  • Introduction to Project Management
  • San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
  • University of Alberta: Indigenous Canada
  • 4 Seasons of Reconciliation
  • The First Nations Principles of OCAP

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Manager, Health Equity

Niagara Health
09.2023 - Current

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist

Niagara Health
01.2021 - 09.2023

Board Member

Contact Niagara
11.2019 - 01.2021

Council Member - Chief of Police Community Inclusion Council

Niagara Regional Police Services
09.2019 - 08.2023

Program Coordinator

Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre
02.2019 - 12.2023

Chair

Niagara Refugee Roundtable
05.2018 - Current

Mental Health Program Coordinator

Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre
01.2018 - 02.2019

Youth Worker

Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre
09.2017 - 01.2018

Research Assistant

Brock University
05.2017 - 08.2017

Youth Adult Peer Leader

Niagara Region Public Health Department
06.2016 - 05.2017

Research Assistant

Gezira State
06.2014 - 09.2014

Workplace Investigation Techniques -

Rubin Thomlinson LLP

Certificate, Project Management -

Brock University, Goodman School of Business

Leadership Development Certificate - Leadership And Management

Brock University Goodman School of Business

Masters of Public Health - Public Health

Brock University

Bachelor of Science (Honours), Life Science - Life Sciences

McMaster University

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Zainab Awad, BHSc,MPH