TDRA Co-Funds CREMS Student Research on Black Seniors Living with Dementia
The Toronto Dementia Research Alliance (TDRA) is proud to co-fund Daniel Bour, a medical student at the University of Toronto, as part of the Comprehensive Research Experience for Medical Students (CREMS) Program. CREMS is a 10–12 week summer program that gives medical students the opportunity to work full-time on a research project under the guidance of experienced faculty. Daniel is working with Drs. Mireille Norris and Onye Nnorom on a project focused on culturally responsive care for Black seniors living with dementia in Toronto.
About the Project
This study aims to better understand the needs of Black seniors living with dementia and their caregivers/care partners, especially around loneliness and social isolation. Daniel and the team are exploring ways to create “Afrocentric-friendly visits” that provide culturally affirming support. They are talking with seniors, caregivers/care partners, and senior care leaders recruited from Community Health Centres in Toronto through focus groups and interviews. The goal is to develop a sustainable program that can be used by Black-led organizations and communities across Canada.
Meet the Team
Daniel Bour is a medical student at the University of Toronto. He is working on developing Afrocentric-friendly visits for Black seniors living with dementia, using community-engaged research and program co-design. Daniel holds a BSc and MSc from Western University and has experience in mentorship, research, and community projects. His interests include Black health, culturally informed care, and health equity.
Dr. Mireille Norris is a Geriatrician at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. She is the Black Health Theme Lead at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and works with Black and Indigenous medical learners. Dr. Norris provides care for seniors living with dementia through hospitals and community health centres, including francophone units, and focuses on ethno-cultural geriatrics, fall prevention, and quality improvement. She is active in equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives and has received multiple awards for her leadership in medical education and community service.
Dr. Onye Nnorom is Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario, focusing on health equity and improving care for Black communities. She is a family physician and Public Health & Preventive Medicine specialist, and an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. Dr. Nnorom has led initiatives in public health and medical education, including anti-Black racism policies and community vaccination and wellness clinics. She co-founded the Black Health Education Collaborative and currently leads Healthcaring Differently, a youth-focused initiative promoting careers in medicine and healthcare.
Other Project Team Members
- Ngozi Iroanyah – Co-principal Investigator; Director of Health Equity and Access at Alzheimer Society of Ontario; PhD student in Health Policy and Equity Studies at York University; MA and BA in Political Science.
- Osatohanwen Joanne Okungbowa – Research Assistant; BScN in Health Studies; MPH in Public Health in Black Health at University of Toronto.
- Inès Ndzana Siani – Research Assistant; HBSc in Kinesiology from McMaster University; MHSc in Medical Physiology at University of Toronto.
- Bryanna Oriuwa – Research Assistant; HBSc in Life Sciences at University of Toronto; MSc in Kinesiology and Health Sciences at University of Waterloo.
- Etienne Oshinowo – Research Assistant; HBSc in Life Sciences; MPH in Public Health in Black Health at University of Toronto.
- Jemima Munyaruganda – Research Assistant; HBSc in Health Studies and Psychology; MPH in Epidemiology at University of Toronto.
