Nursing students practice blood pressure checks at Mobilizing for Change conference

On Feb. 27 to 28, the Faculty of Social Work’s Anti-Black Racism Task Force and the Mobilizing for Change transdisciplinary scholarship team hosted the Mobilizing for Change: Addressing Anti-Black Racism Conference. Thanks to the support of faculty leadership, Bemi Lawal, assistant professor (teaching) from the Faculty of Nursing attended with several nursing students.  

There was an opportunity for peer mentorship and collaborative learning as Term 6 nursing students demonstrated blood pressure measurement techniques to first year students.  

“Beyond participating in the conference and learning from elders within the community, our students were also able to give back,” says Lawal. “We hosted a vendor table where the students provided blood pressure checks and health education to attendees.” 

Students were able to engage in health education to empower attendees around wellness and prevention. “One of the highlights for me was learning how to take blood pressure manually, thanks to the seasoned student nurses. I now understand how to read blood pressure properly and can differentiate between systolic and diastolic readings,” says Stephanie Ekpenyong, Term 2 nursing student.  

She adds, “I truly enjoyed the conference the other day, it was such a great experience. The sermon about the challenges Black women face in health care really resonated with me, especially the discussion on how we are less likely to receive top-quality care.”

 

The conference, held in the MacEwan Conference & Event Centre was a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, amplify voices, and mobilize meaningful action toward dismantling systemic racism and building a more just society.  

The conference featured academic speakers, panel discussions and an interactive health and wellness expo with art, literature and community resource vendors.