Project Goals/Deliverables
Clinicians equipped to deliver culturally competent care, leading to more effective, respectful, and equitable healthcare for Indigenous patients.
A scalable and replicable training framework applicable to other cultural contexts or professional disciplines.
Research opportunities to evaluate the effectiveness of AI-powered simulations in advancing cultural competence in healthcare education.
Project Team
Jeff Nagge, Clinical Associate Professor (School of Pharmacy)
Cassandra McLelland (M'Chigeeng First Nation), Clinical Pharmacist & Indigenous Content Expert (Science Indigenous Initiatives)
Savannah Sloat (Tuscarora, Six Nations of the Grand River), Manager (Science Indigenous Initiatives)
Cynthia Richard, Associate Professor | Associate Director, Curriculum (School of Pharmacy)
Kelly Grindrod, Associate Professor | Associate Director, Clinical Education (School of Pharmacy)
Jessica Hoang, Undergraduate Research Coordinator (Teaching Innovation Incubator)
Nithyla Chandrakumar, Undergraduate Research Coordinator (Teaching Innovation Incubator)
Connect with the AI Meets EDI team!
Inquiries about this project can be directed to tii@uwaterloo.ca
Key Partners
Ametros Learning, Technology Partner
EdTech Sandbox, Video Support
Project Summary
This project will develop a virtual training module to equip healthcare learners with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver culturally competent care to Indigenous patients. Using generative AI and immersive virtual simulations, the module integrates expertise from Indigenous content creators, the Office of Indigenous Relations, and AI technology developed in partnership with Ametros Learning. Video recording support for Indigenous actors will be explored through collaboration with the EdTech Sandbox, ensuring high-quality and culturally authentic simulations.
Building on the success of the award-winning Management of Oral Anticoagulant Therapy (MOAT) course, this initiative incorporates proven approaches to clinic design, learner feedback, and expert debriefing. The MOAT course demonstrated the effectiveness of virtual experiential learning in advancing healthcare education, providing a foundation for this module’s development.
Designed for implementation throughout the pharmacy curriculum, this module represents a scalable model for integrating cultural competence training. Its adaptable framework also allows for future expansion into other disciplines and cultural contexts, providing a template for large-scale educational innovation.
The project exemplifies interdisciplinary and cross-functional collaboration, bringing together Indigenous experts, healthcare educators, and AI developers. It reflects the University of Waterloo’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion while addressing a critical need in healthcare education. By leveraging established expertise in virtual experiential training and innovative partnerships, this initiative is poised to deliver a transformative learning experience that contributes to systemic change in healthcare education.
Project Resources
There are currently no project resources. Once they become available, they will be posted here.
Proposed Project Impact
The immediate impact of the project is to improve learners’ cultural competence, confidence, and preparedness to deliver culturally safe care. The module provides a safe environment for practicing sensitive interactions, mitigating risks of re-traumatization while fostering deep reflection through expert feedback and debriefing. Learners are equipped with both skills and cultural humility, preparing them to address systemic inequities in their practice.
Long-term, the project supports systemic change by embedding cultural safety training in a scalable and sustainable format. Its adaptability extends beyond undergraduate education, making it an ideal tool for continuing professional development and institutional staff training. By addressing the TRC’s Calls to Action, the module positions Waterloo as a leader in innovative, socially impactful education.
Project Updates
Project updates to be shared here!