After TMU - Nassim Vahidi-Williams

Grounded in years of front-line health promotion experience, Nassim Vahidi-Williams has dedicated her career to addressing individual, systemic and environmental factors that impact health status. 

Learn how her career path has evolved since graduating and how her studies have contributed to her success.

Why did you choose to study at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University)? 

Back in 2006 (I'm totally dating myself!) I remember exploring universities and hearing the university was an institution that valued social justice. I was really interested in art work produced by the image arts department that year — of course I ended up in Psych but I was kind of "plugged in" to the ethos of the university before even enrolling in my first year. It was a great decision! 

How did your studies influence your career choices?

The institution attracted great, critical minds that really encouraged my academic interests in the intersections between race and health. The courses that really stayed with me and influenced who I am were taught by Drs. Camille Hernández-Ramdwar & Cheryl Teelucksingh. Being introduced to them and their scholarly work made me feel like it was possible for me too, to address social inequity in my professional career.

What are some skills you developed through university that are applicable to your career now?

My first couple of years were incredible. I didn't only begin seriously learning about what I could do in the field of public health — but I also began learning more about myself! I gained confidence in public speaking, networking, and how to navigate through a large institution.

How did your student experience and co-curricular roles help you find your first position after graduation?

I had the wonderful privilege of working as Events Coordinator at the Centre for Women and Trans People for two years while studying. It was a work-study position and it helped me stay connected to campus life while learning about and working in social justice. This was absolutely critical to gaining my first job after graduation. I ended up working in women's health for eight years after graduating (at a community health centre as a health promoter).

How did your psychology degree assist you while working in the healthcare sector during the pandemic?

Big question! My psychology degree certainly helped in a lot of ways. I went on to gain an MPH but in my career I focus on the area of public health that deals with social factors that influence health. During my undergrad in psychology, I kind of did the same. I took courses like community psychology, social psychology, race and ethnicity in Canadian society. These courses all prepared me to understand the different ways the pandemic was being experienced by different populations - and specifically how vulnerable people were experiencing worsening mental health outcomes.

What are some attributes of individuals who are most successful in your field?

Definitely reflexivity is one of the most important, if not the most important attribute of successful individuals in my field. Being able to understand how you fit within the whole group of folks you're working with or engaging with, and constantly examining your own biases, attitudes, beliefs and values is essential to public health work. Also helpful are comfort with complex systems, confidence in communication and an ability to work with all different types of stakeholders.

What advice would you give to students or recent graduates interested in careers in health promotion and health equity?

I would say to reach out to others in the field and learn about contemporary areas of research and practice that interest you. I found a niche in women's health and racialized people's health. That's where my heart is and I have been lucky enough to build a career around it.

If you could start all over again, would you change your career path in any way? Why?

I think there are always adjustments we would make in hindsight, but ultimately the great thing about education and scholarship is that you can build on what you have. In my undergrad I was very attached to the idea of becoming a clinician and treating patients. I sometimes wish I had gone that route. However, I now get to influence healthcare planning and delivery at a systems level and that is exciting! I am always open to further education. I'm a lifelong learner :)

What are the best parts of your work; what are your biggest challenges?

The best part of my work by far is the relationships I get to build with people in the communities I work in. I often talk about the special quality of relationships community-based workers are able to grow and nurture with folks. We meet people in their homes, places of worship, kids schools, hang out spots - where folks can authentically be themselves. Often patients are able to share insights and stories with community-based workers that they do not feel comfortable sharing in a clinical setting. 

The biggest challenge in health promotion is that it is an unregulated profession (at the current time!). Health promoters often work in clinical settings with clinicians, so healthcare organizations are set up to support clinicians. A practical example of this is that a health promoter may not have a formal debriefing process set up with a team in a healthcare organization, while a social work team would have this set up in alignment with college-recommended best practices.