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Brockville General Hospital |
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News Release |
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Evening presentation promotes multicultural understanding BROCKVILLE - Four organizations have banded together to promote understanding of different cultures in Leeds-Grenville. For the first time ever, Brockville General Hospital, Brockville Mental Health Centre, the Ontario Multifaith Council and the Brockville and Area Ministerial Association are hosting a free public presentation on Wednesday, Oct. 21 to learn about the needs of people with different cultures and religions. The presentation is being held during Spiritual Care Week. Titled “Caring for our Neighbours: The Challenge of Cultural and Religious Diversity,” the presentation is open to everyone and features Rev. Dr. Peter Barnes, Assistant Professor in Counseling and Spirituality at St. Paul University in Ottawa. He will speak about the various faith groups in Ontario and culturally appropriate health care. “We are caring for folks who come from different cultures, and some of the caregivers we hire come from different cultures,” explains Janet Stark, Spiritual Care Coordinator at BGH. “We need to expand our knowledge.” Rev. Ted Guthrie, Chaplain at BMHC, says this is a new event for the Brockville area. Along with Rev. Dr. Barnes, the event will also include a panel of speakers including Ahmad Khadra, who will speak about Islam, and Melinda Turcotte, who will speak about Aboriginal culture. “I would like to see a lot of people show up and I would like to see a lot of buzz among them,” Rev. Guthrie says. “Hopefully this will get people thinking.” “We are recruiting physicians and health-care workers from different parts of the globe,” he explains. “The landscape is changing, and we need to understand how those changes affect us, in terms of how we work together in health care and how we relate to our neighbours.” As an example, he says when a Muslim neighbour has someone unwell in the family, one needs to know a little about Islam to understand how to show support. Bringing them a meal that includes pork would not be appropriate because Muslims do not eat pork, he notes. This is just one example of a detail one would need to know. He says that it’s especially important for health-care workers to understand the various cultures and faiths of their patients. On Oct. 21 during the day, Rev. Dr. Barnes will give presentations to hospital staff, physicians, volunteers and clergy. The evening presentation, which includes Rev. Dr. Barnes and the panel, is geared to the general public. “We are welcoming all those interested to come,” says Mrs. Stark. “There is no registration for the evening. Just show up!” “Caring for Our Neighbours” will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at Brockville Mental Health Centre’s Centennial Hall, 1804 King St. E., Brockville. Media: For more information, please contact
Christine Endicott
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