Small Victories in Healthcare Inclusivity through Haircare

Nurse Tshilanda Nyembwe offers patient Gemma Moturi a selection of personal care products while she receives treatment at Hennepin County Medical Center. Credit: Aaron Nesheim | Sahan Journal

Greeting Stewards! 

Here at PAHS we believe in wanting a better healthcare system for everyone. To have a better healthcare system would require many changes, including more responsive care that recognizes cultural differences.

A small victory occurred here in Minnesota! The Sahan Journals shares an article where Minnesota hospitals change how they welcome Black and brown patients through hair care products. Sheila Mulrooney Eldred writes, “Hospitals increasingly recognize the need for culturally competent health care to improve outcomes and reduce racial disparities.” The Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) was one of the first places to implement hair care that is specifically made for textured hair. When a patient requested certain hair products, a nurse brought in her own products from home. Soon after, the floor had a basket of textured hair specific products to provide for other patents. 

Dr. Nneka Sederstrom, chief health equity officer at Hennepin Healthcare and HCMC, has led her team in working with small, Black-owned businesses to create gift baskets for Black and brown maternity patients. These baskets include hair and body care products. Sederstorm says, “Hospitals are uncomfortable places. And it’s the little things that make you feel safe and whole. We have not been allowing that sense of normalcy to be part of the experience for Black and brown patients.”

Join us on Circle to share your thoughts and ideas around more culturally respectful healthcare.

Additionally, our October forum is approaching very soon! This will be the final installment of our “training the trainer” initiative. We are happy to announce that our guest facilitator is Alyson Shelton, creator and writer. We hope to see you there! 

Warmly, 

Asheanna