Ryan, Rx2020, and fellow volunteer Megan Spence, Rx2019, inside the community health van
When Ryan began volunteering at Sanguen Health for his Community Service Learning, he had no idea that years later he’d still be a regular face riding the organization’s community health van. Sanguen is an organization that serves Waterloo, Wellington, Dufferin, and Guelph regions and supports people living with or at risk of Hepatitis C.
Their award-winning community health van helps bring health services directly to people in their neighbourhoods. The van’s goal is to help people focus on their health by addressing the basic needs like food, clothing, and hygiene. They also offer harm reduction services like naloxone training and dispensing and provide medications to help manage infectious diseases. The vans run in Waterloo and Guelph; in Waterloo the team serves about 350 people each week.
"The population I've worked with is extremely vulnerable, with many of our van visitors struggling with substance use disorders, homelessness, hunger, and serious infectious disease management such as hepatitis C and HIV,"
says Ryan. "Growing up in Sault Ste. Marie, I was rarely exposed to populations like this. I went in with some assumptions but the longer I worked at Sanguen the more those personal assumptions were challenged and changed."
Ryan quickly discovered his skill for connecting with visitors to the van. He’s developed friendships with some of the returning visitors, and some have even confided in him with health concerns, enabling Ryan to connect them with the right resources to address those concerns.
“I was struck with the strong sense of community there is between the van’s visitors,” he reflects. “Oftentimes they don’t know where they will sleep or when they will have their next meal, and yet they remain so positive and willing to help us and their peers. Hygiene items such as a toothbrush or shampoo are considered luxury items for our visitors. They are so thankful for each day and anything we can provide for them. They inspire me to appreciate everything in life that I am so fortunate to have - even something as simple as a toothbrush.”
The experience has been eye-opening for Ryan, and he plans to incorporate the lessons he’s learned into his practice as a pharmacist. The barriers to accessing health care for the van’s visitors are many, and some shared stories of being turned away from hospitals or other health businesses. Humility and an open mind are key traits that Ryan hopes to embody:
“Even what we may consider to be the ‘cheapest’ of medications cannot be afforded by many of our van visitors. They are fighting for every penny. I need to remain mindful of this in practice and educate myself on external funding programs that may be available through the government, or other avenues, to cover the costs of important medications. Everyone deserves access to care, not just those who can pay for the service.”
His time with Sanguen has also taught Ryan the value of engaging with his community and giving back.
“Our community services need to extend beyond the 20-hour requirement to make a lasting impact in our community. As a professional, it is my responsibility to be a role model in my community and set an example for how not only myself, but others should engage in community service. Pharmacists are a well-respected professional that are easily accessible to the community, and I want to influence others to address the needs of the most vulnerable people in the community I work in.”
Ryan's volunteering was recently recognized with a University of Waterloo President's Accolade.
Interested in volunteering with Sanguen? See the Sanguen Health Centre website for more information.
Explore other Waterloo Pharmacy volunteering experiences with the Community Service Stories series.