Joe Hester,
Executive Director, Anishnawbe Health Toronto
Advisor to the Toronto Indigenous Health Advisory Circle, Toronto Centre Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and Toronto Public Health
Overview
“You need to look at all social determinants of health. You need to somehow affect those areas and sectors to recognize and contribute to a healthy community.”
Anishnawbe Health Toronto is a fully accredited health centre, accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation (CCA).
AHT’s model of health care is based on Indigenous culture and traditions and as a result, AHT is the only facility in Toronto that cares for Indigenous clients with both western and traditional approaches to health care.
A volunteer Board made up of Indigenous community members provides direction to the Centre’s leadership. Because of the value placed on traditional approaches, AHT offers nearly 60 services and programs including:
- Primary Health Care including an ambulatory health centre
- Diabetes Education and Prevention Program
- Health Promotion and Physiotherapy with access to traditional healers
- physicians
- nurse practitioners
- nurses
- chiropodist
- dietitian
- physiotherapist
Mental Health Programs including:
- traditional counsellors
- psychiatrists
- psychologists
- social workers and counsellors offering individual and group counselling
- programs to help the Homeless to leave the street
- 20-week addictions and concurrent Disorders outpatient programs
Child, Youth and Family Care including:
- Pre and Post Natal Care Programs
- Youth Outreach Programs
- Child and family counselling
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Service
Traditional Healing Programs and Services including:
- Traditional Healers and medicines
- Sweat Lodges and Ceremonies such as Smudge
- Traditional births
- Shake Tents
- Feasts and Naming