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Dr. Darlene Kitty - Secretary
Chisasibi Cree Nation, East Coast of James Bay, Northern, QC
Rural Family Physician, Chisasibe Hospital

Dr. Kitty is a Cree woman and family physician practicing in Chisasibi, the largest of 9 Cree communities in northern Quebec.  Although educated in northern Ontario and later attending post-secondary education in southern Ontario, she has now returned to her Cree culture and community, a challenging yet rewarding experience so far.

She obtained baccalaureate degrees in Biology and Nursing and worked as a Registered Nurse prior to entering medical school at the University of Ottawa, graduating in 2002.  She then completed Family Medicine residency and Emergency Medicine fellowship at the Northeastern Ontario Family Medicine program in Sudbury.

Because of various barriers that she and other aboriginal students have faced in applying and being admitted to medical school, Dr. Kitty is committed to help other aboriginal students who have the same dreams to become a doctor.  She has participated in several strategies to improve recruitment of aboriginal students into medicine and aboriginal health curriculum, including activities at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and the University of Ottawa.

Since starting practice in 2005, Dr. Kitty has been doing Emergency and hospitalist locums in northeastern Ontario and working as a family physician in Chisasibi.  During her training and practice, she has been actively involved in rural medicine and aboriginal health, giving various workshops on important medical issues that affect aboriginal peoples.  One of her passions includes teaching medical staff and learners about the historical and social context of the James Bay Cree and how this has affected their physical and psychosocial health status.  She particularly enjoys serving as a role model and community leader, advocating for achieving one’s dreams and healthy lifestyles.  Her dedication and enthusiasm in her work were recently recognized by the Québec Medical Association, whereby she received the 2007 Prix de la Relève – Emerging Professional Award.