“Healing is an Act of Communion”: Critical Perspectives on Women’s Health, Wellness, and Disease

Author Biographies

• Shannan Grant

  Shannan Grant is an adjunct professor in the Department of Women’s Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University and in Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is especially proud of her work with The Alexa McDonough Institute for Women, Gender and Social Justice, and Atlantis: Critical Studies in Gender, Culture & Social Justice. She is also an affiliate scientist at IWK, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, where she continues to engage in practice-based research, and education.

• Barbara Hamilton-Hinch

  Barbara-Ann Hamilton-Hinch, is a Professor in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University in the faculty of Health and the Assistant Vice-Provost Equity and Inclusion. Her research exams the structural, institutional, and systemic racism and oppression that exists for populations that have been marginalized but particularly people of African descent. Her work looks closely at the social determinants of health and crosses all disciplines from education to health to justice. Barb identifies as an 8th generation African Nova Scotian and is the first African Nova Scotian to graduate with a PhD from Dalhousie University.

• Irene Ogada

  Irene Ogada is an educator and researcher in women and children’s health and nutrition. She is committed to community-led inquiry, action, and transformation. Applying intersectionality and socio-ecological lenses she collaborates to co-facilitate participatory platforms for women and children in equity-seeking communities to articulate their health and nutrition experiences and needs; co-facilitate collaborative health and nutrition actions that foster sustainable and equitable communities; contribute to development of culturally safe resources and processes in health and nutrition programs for women and children; and enhance the capacity of future researchers/mentees to contribute to sustainable and equitable communities. 

• Dayna Lee-Baggley

  Dayna Lee-Baggley is a Registered Clinical Psychologist in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Her registrations include clinical psychology, health psychology, and organizational psychology. She is the founder and CEO of Dr. Lee-Baggley and Associates, which provides evidence-based workplace wellness solutions. She is the creator of the “Dr. Dayna Method” which is a science backed system to equip leaders with people leadership skills and to equip employees with skills to flourish. She also conducts research at Dalhousie University and at Saint Mary’s University. She is the author of the book Healthy Habits Suck: How to get off the couch & live a healthy life…even if you don’t want to.

• Tara Pride

  Tara Pride is of mixed Mi’kmaw and settler ancestry and member of Sipekne’katik First Nation in Mi’kma’ki. She is an Assistant Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy at Dalhousie University where her research focuses on Indigenous health and wellbeing, Indigenous mentorship, Indigenous community engaged and driven research, and advancing Indigenous excellence in occupational therapy. 

• Clare Goulet

  Clare Goulet lives in Halifax/Kjipuktuk, Nova Scotia, where she teaches and publishes creative, scholarly, and hybrid forms of writing and interdisciplinary research and directs the Writing Centre at MSVU.  Her book Graphis scripta: writing lichen was shortlisted for the J. M. Abraham Atlantic Poetry Award and the Raymond Souster Award; she co-edited Lyric Ecology, essays on the work of Jan Zwicky. Future Past Tense is out late 2026.

• Maggie MacIntyre

  Maggie MacIntyre is a writer, editor and visual artist with decades of lived experience navigating healthcare and other systems in pursuit of support for chronic and acute conditions of the menstrual body.

• Tammy Bernasky

  Tammy Bernasky is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Cape Breton University and teaches in areas of public policy, gender and women studies, and stigma. She has life-long experience of disability and more than 25 years of experience working on disability inclusion efforts at local, national, and international levels. Using an intersectional lens, she centres the stories of diverse people with disabilities in her research. In 2022, she published the book Working to End Gender-Based Violence in the Disability Community: International Perspectives.

• Jessica Jerome

  Jessica Jerome (Two-Spirited) is Mi’kmaq, originating from the district of Gespegewagi. She was born in Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation and was later adopted by the Jerome family in Gesgapegiag. Jessica is a member of the Micmacs of Gesgapegiag Band, which is situated along the banks of the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec. Jessica’s professional art education includes studies at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, where she earned a Certificate in Foundation of Visual Arts. She furthered her education with a Certificate in Applied Media and Communication Arts and obtained a Graphic Design Diploma from the Waterfront Campus of Nova Scotia Community College. Jessica’s artwork has been exhibited in several galleries and juried shows across Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Her pieces are part of permanent displays at the Cancer Centre in Kingston, Ontario, as well as in her home community. She has also contributed graphics and logo design work for Mi’kmaq communities throughout Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, supporting First Nation community and economic development initiatives.