Sunnybrook welcomes third cohort of work-integrated learning students
For the third consecutive year, Sunnybrook’s Organizational Development & Learning team has mentored three Black students through York University’s Work-Integrated Learning for Black Students in Health program.
The Work-Integrated Learning for Black students in Health program provides students with valuable real-world experience through workplace-based learning opportunities, such as co-ops and placement programs, to further their academic and professional journeys.
“This program is unique because students placed at Sunnybrook have the chance to gain on-the-job experience that can help to determine career fit, refine learning and career goals and develop specific skills – all while building a strong network,” says Shaunteque Harris, manager in the Organizational Development & Learning department at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. “We also benefit from students who bring new and innovative ideas, fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the teams they are placed with.”
The program originated as an initiative championed by two York University student groups – the Black Students in Psychology Association and the Black Students Mentorship Program. Over the years, the program has become a valuable part of the York University Faculty of Health’s educational offerings and a way to support the career aspirations of young Black students in health care.
“Black representation in healthcare is essential to building trust, improving health outcomes, and fostering culturally responsive care”, says Paola Calderon-Valdivia, experiential education coordinator at York University. “Yet, systemic inequities continue to limit access to health care and social services for Black Canadians, making programs like this more important than ever”.
We sat down with the two students from this year’s summer 2025 cohort to learn more about their experience:
Abdulqadir Isaak
Program: Psychology, Honours BA
Placement: Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorder Centre
“When I first applied for the program, I had no idea what to expect. I was assigned to the anxiety disorders program and wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into at first, but I can happily say I’ve really enjoyed my time here.
During my time at Sunnybrook, I had the opportunity to work in The Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorder Centre, where I got the chance to shadow various psychologists in their clinics, getting a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into facilitating different kinds of therapy sessions.
I also had the chance to research music therapy and its effectiveness in reducing anxiety among patients. I applied knowledge from my psychology and quantitative methods courses, using a range of statistical tools and computer programming to support my research.
This was a unique educational opportunity, as I was able to research music therapy while observing actual therapy sessions to see my research in action. I’m happy to say that the research I conducted through this experience is now used as evidence to guide further music therapy programs and research.
Overall, it was a fantastic experience as I got to see first-hand what a career in clinical psychology can look like, while gaining the confidence I needed to continue pursuing my career aspirations.”
Johnathon Orr
Program: Kinesiology, with an interest in rehabilitation and human performance
Placement: St. John’s Rehab
“I came across this opportunity through a Black student organization at York and thought it would be a great way to gain experience outside the classroom.
Working on research projects helped me see other sides of health care and really broadened my understanding of how interdisciplinary rehabilitation can be. During my time at St. John’s Rehab, I supported staff and research teams through note-taking, literature reviews, and writing executive summaries for ongoing projects.
I was part of a study focused on attitudinal barriers, where we explored accessible housing options for people with disabilities and translated research findings into plain language to make them more usable for wider audiences.
I have always been passionate about improving recovery and accessibility in health care, and this placement at St. John’s Rehab gave me the mentorship, connections, and research experience that continue to guide my career goals.”
At Sunnybrook, we are committed to eliminating health inequities for the patients and families we serve and promoting diversity among our health-care professionals. By collaborating with the Work-Integrated Learning program, we hope to continue to foster a health-care system that meets the diverse needs of our patients and supports health-care professionals from all walks of life.
