First Indigenous president of CFMS elected

Calgary - It wasn’t until 11 minutes before the deadline when Santanna Hernandez put forward her nomination to run for president of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students. She would go on to win the election July 11. “I started getting messages from students from across the country, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, asking me to consider putting my name forward. It was something I really struggled with and at the last minute, I decided there were enough signs from the universe pushing me in this direction,” says Hernandez, who is Indigenous. “I felt I had a unique opportunity to step into this position at a transformational time. I'm not going to be able to fix everything. But I can step in and hopefully set a foundation for future leaders and create some of that hope.” Dr. Nel Wieman, president of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, said: “It is more important than ever that Indigenous voices are amplified and Indigenous people take their turn in leading national health organizations. “This is a historic first but hopefully not the last. Only by breaking down systemic barriers will transformative change happen in the health system,” said Dr. Wieman. “I look forward to working with Santanna on mutual issues of concern, ensuring that Indigenous medical students are supported throughout their educational journeys.” Hernandez, who is a medical student at the University of Calgary, first got involved in student leadership as chair of the Selkirk College Student Union. She has also served as Indigenous student representative with the British Columbia Federation of Students, co-chair of the National Indigenous Advisory Committee of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations and vice-president, external affairs-national with the Calgary Medical Students Association. She also became the national officer of Indigenous health with the CFMS in spring 2020. “If you looked at student leaders across the country when I was in school, very specific voices were typically in student leadership. Recognizing there were some voices missing at the table, I decided in undergrad to put my name forward,” Hernandez said. While in high school in Mission, B.C., Hernandez says Indigenous students received the message that there was no place for them in post-secondary education. “Typically, the main goal that I heard from teachers and counsellors was to try to not get pregnant before I graduated. I never thought about post-secondary or that it was a space that I could be in,” Hernandez says. Shortly after graduation, Hernandez got married and over the next decade, she had four children. “I spent the next 10 years building my family. That was one of my biggest dreams and I was lucky to be able to achieve that.” Because her children had complex medical issues, Hernandez spent a lot of time at their pediatrician’s office. One day, the pediatrician said she had a calming personality and could stay calm under chaos. He suggested Hernandez become a doctor. Though Hernandez laughed, he kept at it. “That was really one of the pushes that I needed because I had grown up being told that I couldn't go to university, let alone achieve one of the top positions that people can achieve in academia,” said Hernandez. “So, it stuck in my head and then one day he made me a bet. He said if I did upgrading and I didn't do poorly, that I had to apply to a pre-med program.” Hernandez excelled in her classes at Selkirk College and then earned her bachelor’s degree in Indigenous social work from the University of Victoria. This January, Hernandez resigned from her position as officer of Indigenous health with the CFMS. In a public letter to the board, she said that Indigenous healthcare experiences were “treated with hostility.” She wrote that non-Indigenous members discounted the healthcare experiences that Indigenous members shared and undermined their feedback through “the use of coded language that draws on racial stereotypes.” “It was not a place where I could have meaningful conversations about issues facing Indigenous students and that was my mandate as national officer. I felt that I had to leave that position because I wasn't able to do the good work that needed to be done,” Hernandez told the Medical Post. Her resignation followed that of another Indigenous member in November 2020. Yotakahron Jonathan, who was the director of global health, cited “aggressive and abusive behaviour” against her. In official statements, the CFMS apologized to Hernandez and Jonathan, stating, “We recognize the pervasiveness of structural racism within the medical community and are committed to advancing anti-racism efforts as well as equity, diversity, and inclusivity to decolonize the CFMS. We must ensure that all students, particularly those who are underrepresented, feel safe and able to engage with the CFMS.” The organization has begun steps toward improving equity, diversity and inclusion and commissioned an external investigator to conduct an independent and impartial investigation, which is ongoing. Following Hernandez’s resignation, five more board members resigned due to “irremediable differences regarding the priorities of the (b)oard.” In February, the board of directors announced it would end its term early. With her election as president, Hernandez is hopeful. She is excited that two other Indigenous women, Danielle Judd (VP Communications) and Victoria Turnball (Ontario Regional Director) were also elected. Hernandez plans to increase the transparency of the organization and improve engagement. “I want membership to feel comfortable coming to me or the team. If they don't feel comfortable, I want to be able to have a conversation and figure out what we can do to build on those relationships.” She says she will also support students through the transitions that medical education faces due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the CFMS strategic plan up for renewal, Hernandez also plans to present a new one to membership before she finishes her term. “We need to make this organization something medical students can be proud of and where they see themselves represented,” says Hernandez adding that she is encouraged by the diversity of the skills and backgrounds of this new board. “We will work to create some of that culture change that people are calling for in medicine and create safer environments for all students. Two of my four kids want to be in medicine one day and I want to be proud of the place that I'm leaving behind for them and know that I spoke up when I needed to and listened when I needed to and established a strong foundation to create a safe environment.”

First Indigenous president of CFMS elected

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