Caring During COVID

During COVID, the number of Toronto citizens who are affected by homelessness grew greatly. Currently, twenty percent of visits to the St. Michael’s Hospital Emergency Department are by those experiencing homelessness and many more are part of a growing number of vulnerably housed individuals.  People who live in shelters were more likely to be affected by COVID – both the virus and by the decreased support services in the community.  In addition to lack of permanent housing, many have medically and socially complex concerns, such as food insecurity, complex mental health conditions, addictions, and poverty.  Dr. Snider will discuss the various ways that the department has had to adapt during COVID for all patients and how they are working with their community partners to change and improve the care that they provide.

BIOGRAPHY:

Dr. Carolyn Snider is a Canadian Emergency Physician Leader and Researcher.  She is the Chief of Emergency Medicine at Unity Health Toronto – St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, a Scientist with the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute and MAP for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital and an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at University of Toronto.  Practicing emergency and trauma medicine for over 15 years in large urban Canadian teaching hospitals, Dr. Snider’s focus is on working with patients and community colleagues to redesign how emergency department care can be delivered in an equitable way for those experiencing marginalization and low resources.  In addition to living her career with passion she is a member of Voices Rock Medicine, enjoys the outdoors, adventure travel and is fortunate to be a mom and part of a loving, supportive family.