Posted by Margaret Angus Courtesy of NS Health

Nova Scotia Health’s Mi’kmaw Indigenous Patient Navigators (MIPN) are eager to get the word out about the services they offer to Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous patients in hospitals across the province.

Jennifer Crossman, MIPN for Northern Zone (Colchester-East Hants, Cumberland and Pictou areas) said, “I’d rather have patients referred, and me not be needed, than be needed and not have patients referred.” Her MIPN colleagues in the three other zones agree.

The provincial team is made up of Jennifer, Channelle Beaumont (Western Zone: Annapolis Valley, South Shore and Southwest Nova Scotia), Caitlin (Katie) Lameman (Eastern Zone: Cape Breton, Guysborough and Antigonish area), and Jacqueline (Jacquie) Potvin-Boucher and Stephanie Francis (Central Zone: Halifax area, Eastern Shore and West Hants). MIPNs are here to:

  • Assist Mi’kmaq and Indigenous patients to overcome barriers to timely and culturally safe care.
  • Support Mi’kmaq and Indigenous clients to bridge the gap between Indigenous clients and healthcare professionals.
  • Be a resource to Nova Scotia Health clinical staff to deliver time-sensitive and culturally safe care.
  • Advocate for cultural and spiritual needs.
  • Coordinate between Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq health systems and community partners.

Stephanie shared an example of a patient who was referred to the service through a nurse in Oncology. The nurse had voiced concerns that the pati ...

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