Dr Josephine Etowa

Dr Josephine Etowa, PhD RN RM FWACN FAAN FCAN FCAHS is a Full Professor & past holder of the OHTN Chair in Black Women’s HIV Prevention and care at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing (2020-2024), Loyer-DaSilva Research Chair in community and Public Health Nursing (2012-2019) and past president of the Health Association of African Canadians.

Dr. Etowa’s research focuses on inequities in health and healthcare including nationally and internationally funded studies on Black women’s health, COVID-19, health equity, HIV/AIDS, nurses’ work life, and community health nursing, and maternal and child health, public and global health. Her research is informed by transformative approaches including critical social theories, intersectionality lens and a community-based participatory research approach (CBPR). She is the founder and Director of the Collaborative Critical Research for Equity and Transformation in Health (CO-CREATH) Lab, and senior Investigator with the Centre for Research on Health and Nursing. Grounded in extensive clinical practice, Dr Etowa’s research has resulted in seminal contributions to understanding the determinants of inequities in health and healthcare and bringing racism to the forefront of Canadian policy and practice dialogues. Her ‘antiracist healthcare practice’ and co-edited ‘Community Health Nursing: A Canadian Perspective’ books are well cited.

Her work has been recognized through prestigious national and international awards including, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, American Academy of Nursing, Canadian Academy of Nursing, and the West Africa College of Nurses. She also received three Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Awards to pursue international collaborative research activities. In 2021, she received the Canadian Science Policy Centre’s Trailblazer Award in recognition of her leadership and vision in effecting meaningful change to Canadian health policy and in bringing racism to the forefront of dialogues. Her many leadership appointments include, the Co-Chair of the Community Health Nurses national standards working group and founding president of the Canadians of African Descent Health Organization (CADHO). In 2021 she was appointed to the Royal Society of Canada Taskforce on the Impact of the COVID-19 on Canada’s Nursing Workforce.

Dr. Chinedu Oraka

Dr. Chinedu Oraka trained as a physician at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. After completing his medical degree, Dr. Oraka deepened his expertise in public health, focusing on infectious diseases that challenge global and community health frameworks. His commitment to healthcare excellence led him to pursue a Master of Health Administration (MHA) at the University of Ottawa.

Currently, Dr. Oraka serves as the Person-Partnered Care Lead at the Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS). In this pivotal role, he is at the forefront of transforming healthcare delivery by integrating person-partnered care principles and practices across all service levels. His work involves leading and managing a range of projects aimed at ensuring healthcare services are not only accessible and efficient but also responsive to the individual needs and values of service members and their families.

Before joining CFHS, Dr. Oraka made significant contributions to public health at Ottawa Public Health. There, he worked on the groundbreaking Mental Health of Ottawa’s Black Community Study, which shed light on the unique mental health challenges and needs within the community. His expertise and leadership were further recognized during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was deployed to support local businesses and sports teams/organizations for the pandemic response. His efforts during this time were instrumental to combat the spread of the virus and protect the community and earned him and his colleagues at the Ottawa Public Health, a Key to the City of Ottawa.

Dr. Luc Malemo

Je suis un médecin de famille et chirurgien bilingue de la RDC qui travaille actuellement comme coordinateur de l’engagement communautaire à Santé publique Ottawa pour améliorer l’accès à l’information et aux services et pour engager la communauté de Noirs d’Ottawa.

Diplômes :
• PhD en Santé et développement communautaires (2022, Université de Kisumu, Kenya),
• Master of Science, chirurgie globale (2019, Université McGill, Montréal),
• Spécialisation en chirurgie (2011 Université Makerere, Ouganda),
• Spécialisation-Maîtrise en soins de santé primaires (2007, République d’Afrique du Sud),
• Médecine générale (2002 Université de Goma, RDC)

Avant de rejoindre Santé Publique Ottawa, j’ai travaillé en tant que clinicien, chercheur en santé globale (30 manuscrits), Doyen de la spécialisation des médecins Congolais (3e cycle) en de chirurgie et en médecine de famille.

Dr. Ubabuko Unachukwu

Dr. Ubabuko Unachukwu brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his role as a valued member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian African Descent Health Organization. As an internationally trained medical doctor holding a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery, Dr. Unachukwu’s expertise extends to clinical research coordination within the Department of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. His extensive background includes involvement in clinical research across prestigious institutions such as The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and the Bruyere Research Institute, as well as a notable tenure as a Public Health Specialist with the Canadian Red Cross.

Deeply engaged in community advocacy, Dr. Unachukwu has served as a Peer Equity Navigator and advocate, championing equality initiatives within the Black community and visible minorities. With a focus on advocacy, leadership, and strategic planning, he is certified as a Clinical Research Professional and is a proud member of the Society of Clinical Research Associates.

Dr. Unachukwu’s commitment to community health is further evidenced by his training as a Peer Equity Navigator at the University of Ottawa’s Collaborative Critical Research for Equity and Transformation in Health. He played a pivotal role as a Peer Equity Navigator during the African Caribbean Black Vaccine Acceptance Project, working closely with Ottawa’s minority and Black communities.

His contributions extend globally, as seen through his involvement in strategic committees focused on HIV/AIDS and cancer control, notably with the Breast Without Spot Initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Nigeria. Dr. Unachukwu has published extensively on health equity within the Black community.

Aligned with the organization’s mission, Dr. Unachukwu is committed to advancing knowledge, enhancing community capacity, and promoting evidence-based policies to uplift communities. His passion for improving health challenges faced by the African Caribbean community in Ottawa and Canada as a whole is unwavering, reflecting his dedication to supporting and empowering communities. Outside of his professional pursuits, Dr. Unachukwu enjoys reading, skiing, and soccer, further enriching his multifaceted approach to life and community service.

Ijeoma Francisca Ukazu

Ijeoma Francisca Ukazu is a distinguished Nigerian journalist whose work has significantly impacted Nigeria’s advocacy for women’s and girls’ reproductive health and rights. Her dedication to storytelling has not only raised awareness but also garnered her international recognition and awards. In 2022, one of her stories on “Breaking Infertility Stigma” achieved second place at the “More than a mother” media awards hosted by the Merck Foundation in Germany.

Ijeoma writes for The Abuja Inquirer Newspaper and contributes as a freelancer to prominent international organizations such as GAVI, The Global Vaccine Alliance, and SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English Desk. Her passion for reporting and her commitment to using her platform to effect positive change in society are the foundations of her journalistic excellence.

Currently, Ijeoma is expanding her horizons by pursuing a Master of Journalism program at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. This endeavour reflects her desire to learn advanced techniques to enhance her craft and, ultimately, contribute more effectively to the betterment of mankind. She recently completed a three-month Design, Equity, Action, and Leadership (DEAL) Fellowship with the West Africa Institute of Public Health, complementing her academic journey. The fellowship exposed her to health inequity, which has resulted in unequal access to health services based on income group, rural or urban location, and gender as social stratifiers.

Before joining Carleton, Ijeoma was an asset to the UNICEF Nigeria Communication Section. During the COVID-19 lockdown before the vaccine’s arrival, she was instrumental in gathering information when there was a need to push out accurate preventive information to the public. She traversed the communities, gathering COVID-19-related news and feature stories that were disseminated to the public.

Ijeoma currently serves as secretary of the Board of Directors for the Canadians of African Descent Health Organization (CADHO).

As she continues to navigate the world of journalism with integrity and excellence, her influence extends beyond borders, inspiring others to use their voices for advocacy and change.

Joy Achele Osiagwu

Joy Achele Osiagwu is a versatile professional with over two decades of full-time practice in the broadcast industry in Nigeria and North America. She has excelled in many roles, including News anchor, reporter, producer, photographer, videographer, and film editor, showcasing her exceptional multitasking skills and adaptability.

During her tenure as the Nigerian Television Authority North America Bureau Chief / Correspondent (2010-2017), Osiagwu had the unique opportunity to cover the activities of the Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, and the Nigeria Mission to the United Nations in New York. Her intuitive ability to tell incredible stories, coupled with her unique perspective in the coverage of the UN General Assembly Sessions and Heads of Government High-level meetings from 2013 to 2017, provided a perspective that deeply intrigued her audience.

As the Communication and Public Relations Committee Chair of CADHO since 2020, Osiagwu has been instrumental in crafting communication strategies that have profoundly impacted engagements with the African Caribbean and Black community (ACB). Her unwavering dedication to the ACB community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, left a lasting positive impact and is a source of inspiration for all.

Osiagwu holds a master’s in business administration (MBA) and Media Leadership from the prestigious University of Cumbria in the United Kingdom, specializing in strategic communication and media management. Her expertise in the field is further solidified by her post-graduate diploma in Broadcast Performing Arts from the renowned Columbia Academy, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where she researched digital media’s impact on broadcast journalism.

Osiagwu is a member of IFLAS (the Institute for Leadership and Sustainability Cumbria Business School in the UK), where she actively participates in research and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Her involvement in IFLAS has been instrumental in expanding her understanding of sustainable leadership practices, which she has successfully applied in her roles as a broadcast journalist and community engagement consultant. She is the Media and Public Relations Associate at the Nigeria High Commission, Ottawa.

Dr Esther Ekong

Dr Esther Ekong is passionate about the African Caribbean Community (ACB) and women’s health and
wellbeing. She comes with considerable expertise in the field of public health research because she was a
Research Assistant/Interviewer for two years (2018- 2020), at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department
of Nursing, uOttawa, where she was part of the African Caribbean Study: Monitoring trends in the
prevalence of HIV research team. Dr Esther is interested in research that employs inclusive
methodologies and believes they provide a lens through which competing values may be translated into
law to influence alternative legal, economic, environmental, and socio-political possibilities for
marginalized groups. This is even more so in the public health sector where Covid-19 exposed the
inequities in health services.
Dr Esther is a certified Third-Party Neutral and holds a PhD (Law) from the University of
Ottawa, Canada, a Master of Laws (LLM), a Master of Public Administration (MPA) as well as a
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from different universities in Nigeria. Prior to relocating to Canada for
her PhD studies, she worked as a Research Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal
studies, Lagos, Nigeria.
Dr Esther has published several articles and book chapters including “Coalescing intellectual
property incentives, gender inclusiveness and environmental sustainability for female traditional
healers in Nigeria” (2021)
<https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/20421338.2021.1889758> and “Gender
Implications of Geographical Indications for Ghanaian Shea Butter.” (2019)
https://www.africaportal.org/features/women-power-policy-. She is passionate about women’s
rights and empowerment and is the initiator of Chadash Phoenix Woman Foundation, a
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) set up in Nigeria, 2012. The NGO is focussed on
helping indigent women build capacity for small businesses and raise start up funds for them.
Dr Esther currently works at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Ottawa. She is married to
Uwem and both live in Canada with their three children Ryan, Joy and Amanda. Her hobbies
include travelling, reading fiction and spending time with family and friends

Hephzibah Orelaja

Hephzibah Orelaja is a dedicated healthcare provider, youth mentor, and community builder, who focuses on empowering individuals, resolving community issues, and delivering high-quality results. She is currently a Manager at the Diane Morrison Hospice located at the Ottawa Mission where she leads a multidisciplinary team that specializes in providing care for individuals who are homeless, traumatized, or addicted; ensuring they pass away with dignity and compassion in their community while receiving patient-centered care.

Hephzibah Orelaja holds several degrees in the science and health field. She began her career as a Nursing Assistant in the United States and later transitioned to Health Administration in Canada. She has over 20 years of expertise in the health care industry. Often, she collaborates with organizations to review policies and advocate for measures that increase access to care for the homeless community while continuously seeking ways to bridge the gaps in the healthcare system. Hephzibah Orelaja serves as a Board Director and Chair of Community Engagement atCanadians of African Descent Health Organization (CADHO), and actively promotes the African diaspora within Canadian society while providing valuable expertise and skills within the black community. She has held various leadership positions and served on several boards such as NewLife Project Inc., Afro-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Ottawa Mission Young Professional Network.

Hephzibah Orelaja is a sought-after speaker at conferences. Among the recent events are a few:
• A guest panelist at the 2024 Palliative Care Coalition of Canada’s advocacy event themed, “Palliative care is not just about end of life, it’s focusing on living and making every moment count.”
• Workshop presentation titled, “Providing Palliative Care to Persons Experiencing Homelessness using a Harm Reduction Approach,” at the 2024 Hospice Palliative Care Ontario conference.
• November 2021, a documentary on unclaimed bodies aired on Les Grands Reportages on RDI (Radio-Canada) Hephzibah Orelaja loves event planning and management; she is the Founder and Creative Director of Saphya Events &amp; Co. Inc., a full-service event company offering event planning, event management, event design, and décor services.

 

Mrs. Kudirat Salam-Alada

Kudirat Salam-Alada is a married mother of three who is deeply committed to strengthening the community by integrating and empowering families. Her journey of community involvement began with volunteering at community schools during her teenage years.
In alignment with the vision of CADHO, Kudirat is a fervent advocate for a faith and culture-based approach to healthcare promotion and education. Her passion for this cause is palpable, as she joined senior researchers in investigating and publishing an evidence-based approach to improving COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the Afro-Caribbean and Black communities.

Her journey in health science started in Nigeria, where she studied Microbiology at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. Her experience as a microbiologist spans the food and healthcare industries.
Kudirat is now a certified geriatric nurse specialist at The Ottawa Hospital. She began her nursing career in the medicine unit, but her compassion for the older adults she cared for led her to pursue a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Ottawa, specializing in gerontology. She is actively involved in quality improvement initiatives, ensuring the best care for older adults. Kudirat presented one of her quality improvement works, “Nursing knowledge: mitigating the negative impacts of indwelling urinary catheter (Foley) in the older adult.” in the United Kingdom, London 2024, International Forum (a conference on quality and safety in healthcare)

She is not just a nurse, but a guiding force in the field of healthcare. Kudirat dedicates a significant amount of her time to training care staff about the specifics of nursing care for older adults with dementia. Her influence extends to numerous nursing students, whom she guides and supports to enhance their career growth. Outside her professional sphere, she works as an outreach secretary for a local Muslim women’s organization, where she connects women of different faiths to promote interracial and interfaith collaboration and religious tolerance. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with families, and going on nature walks.