My journey through Health Sciences at Western and the HBA program has shown my dedication to sustainability. My experience in Health Sciences ignited a passion for environmental stewardship and community service, guiding me towards impactful extracurricular roles. As the USC Coordinator for The Gender Equity Network and the VP of Student Affairs for The Butterfly Effect UWO, I lead initiatives that drive my commitment to advocacy, social justice, and inclusivity. Overall, my path reflects a deep-seated belief in the power of interdisciplinary approaches to enact meaningful, sustainable change, aiming to foster a healthier, more equitable world.

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

My definition of sustainability is rooted in the belief in creating a harmonious balance between environmental, social, and economic factors to ensure the well-being of our planet and future generations. It's about adopting practices and innovations that reduce our ecological footprint, champion social equity, and foster economic growth without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This involves thoughtful consideration of resource use, reducing waste, and promoting inclusivity and diversity within communities. Sustainability is a commitment to responsible stewardship of the planet, ensuring a healthy, equitable, and vibrant world for all.

What role do you see sustainability playing in your professional career?

Building on my background in Health Sciences and HBA, I see sustainability—and particularly the theme of regeneration—as not just an ethical compass but as a strategic imperative in my professional journey. This unique combination of disciplines equips me with a holistic understanding of the interconnections between human health, environmental stewardship, and equitable economic growth. I am committed to embedding sustainable and regenerative practices in healthcare management, advocating for solutions that minimize ecological impacts and actively contribute to the restoration of ecosystems. By leveraging business acumen, I would like to innovate in sustainable healthcare delivery, focusing on reducing waste, enhancing resource efficiency, and promoting regenerative practices that restore health to the environment and human communities. I aim to lead by example, demonstrating how sustainable and regenerative business practices can drive systemic change, enhance community well-being, and contribute to a resilient global economy. Through collaboration, research, and advocacy, I aspire to influence policy, encourage sustainable consumer behaviours, and support the development of green technologies in the health sector. Ultimately, my goal is to integrate sustainability and regeneration into the industries of healthcare and business, creating a legacy of positive impact and restoration for generations to come.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

Through involvement with the Gender Equity Network USC and leveraging my academic foundations in Health Sciences, I've actively participated in sustainability projects that combine social justice with environmental and public health initiatives. As a coordinator for GEN, my responsibilities encompass spearheading projects that promote gender equity and inclusivity, seamlessly integrating sustainability principles to foster long-term societal and environmental well-being. My goal with these initiatives is to cultivate more equitable communities, highlighting the critical role of diversity and inclusion in sustainable development.

Furthermore, my background in Health Sciences has equipped me with an understanding of sustainable health practices. This knowledge has been instrumental in directing my efforts toward initiatives that tackle the environmental determinants of health, from reducing pollution to ensuring clean water access, thereby addressing a broad spectrum of issues that impact community health. My dual commitment to these areas emphasizes a holistic approach to sustainability that promotes social justice and environmental stewardship.

By blending these passions, I aim to contribute to creating resilient, equitable communities that thrive on sustainable practices. This journey has reinforced my dedication to these principles and highlighted the interconnectedness of human health, environmental sustainability, and social equity, guiding my future goals in this essential field.

Please list any sustainability-related interests you want to explore during the certificate. 

Based on my background in Health Sciences, I am interested in exploring several sustainability-related areas during the certificate program:

• Sustainable Healthcare Practices: How healthcare systems can adopt more sustainable operations (waste reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable sourcing of medical supplies). 
• Climate Change and Public Health: Links between climate change and health outcomes. I am specifically interested on how to develop strategies to adapt to and mitigate impacts on vulnerable populations.
• Health Equity and Sustainability: How sustainable development goals can address health disparities and promote equity within and across communities.
• Innovations in Sustainable Health Technology: I’m interested in emerging technologies that offer sustainable solutions to health challenges, such as telemedicine, e-health, and green pharmaceuticals.
• Corporate Social Responsibility in Healthcare: How businesses in the health sector can operate more sustainably while contributing positively to societal health.