Deborah's Story

Hello! My name is Deborah Tewelde, and I’ve been a Community Engagement Intern, completing my final Co-op term here at the CND OHT. I am in my final year at the University of Waterloo, studying Public Health.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time, experiences and learnings at the CND OHT. The CND OHT has exposed me to a different side of health care that I was not familiar with prior. OHT’s work within the existing health care systems to enhance and create pathways that are seamless with fully coordinated care for patients; supporting specific populations that have been identified as having a priority need. This is fantastic work that I got to be a firsthand witness to during the past several months.

The highlight of my time here would be my role as the Project Coordinator on the development and launch of the 8-week pilot project, a Community Mental Health & Addictions Clinic (C-MAC) that ran out of Cambridge Memorial Hospital. The clinic's intent was to improve quick access to mental health and addictions treatment, improve the patient's experience in navigating treatment and alleviate system pressures. We were able to bring together different community partners to work towards this goal. I was a part of the early stages of planning and operations. Through this process I was able to firsthand learn the steps and skills required to take a project from a vision to a successful tangible project. Seeing it come to fruition and bring positive impact has been an incredible experience and such an important asset to the community.

Through being exposed to many different parts of the CND OHT such as governance, project management, working groups, diversity, equity and more I have been able to enhance and develop many skills. Through my involvement in many different areas, I have developed skills and knowledge that I will carry on. Additionally, I have gained greater insight into health care and what type of work I see myself doing in the future.