During Black History Month, the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy is highlighting the achievements of Black members of our community. In this article, we meet Karina Jackson,聽erg., a 91黑料网 Occupational Therapy (OT) graduate who mentors current 91黑料网 OT students. Ms. Jackson shares her experiences and reflections on her path, why mentoring matters to her, and her hopes for more inclusive health care.
Can you tell us about yourself?
I work in pelvic health, perinatal health, and hand therapy within a Black-owned interdisciplinary clinic in Montr茅al, Nuvo Physio, which was an entirely intentional choice. I knew I wanted to practice in an environment where I didn鈥檛 have to censor or hide parts of myself. Working in a space aligned with my values has allowed me to grow more freely, nurture my clinical identity, and develop my practice with greater confidence.
I work with patients experiencing bowel, bladder, and sexual health concerns, as well as conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis that can significantly impact daily life and meaningful occupations. I also treat acute and chronic upper-extremity conditions of the hand and wrist, such as De Quervain鈥檚 tendinitis and trigger finger, which commonly affect individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Outside of work, I love baking, discovering new restaurants, watching Korean and Chinese dramas, playing video games, and hiking.
Why is it important to you to be a mentor for future Occupational Therapists?
As much as educational programs work hard to prepare students for clinical practice, I don鈥檛 think anything can fully prepare you for the realities of the profession once practicing. Not just the work itself, but the challenges we don鈥檛 always talk about as openly, such as working with people in complex systems, navigating interprofessional conflict, confronting medical bias, burnout, and imposter syndrome
Being a mentor allows me to create space for this type of conversation and to support students not only as developing clinicians, but as whole people finding their footing in a demanding and deeply human profession.
Why is it important to role model for both Black and non-Black students?
Representation is a key part of this, but it goes beyond visibility. As a Black health care provider, my lived experiences allow me to bring different perspectives into clinical practice, mentorship, and professional conversations.
I believe strongly in having the difficult conversations, in challenging assumptions, encouraging self-reflection, and supporting students in showing up as their full selves while respecting the lived experiences of others. I don鈥檛 believe that therapists can simply 鈥渓eave their biases at the door.鈥� We all come with histories, perspectives, and values. What matters is whether we are willing to sit with discomfort, reflect critically, and grow in areas we may never have had to question before.
What progress would you like to see in the future?
The progress I hope to see moving forward requires humility: acknowledging bias, listening without defensiveness, and recognizing that equity is not a one-time initiative, but an ongoing practice. In health care, and in occupational therapy specifically, true inclusion shows up through trauma-informed care, culturally responsive practice, mentorship, and systems that support both clinicians and clients as whole people.
I also hope to see more Black voices, especially Black women, in leadership roles. Throughout history, Black women鈥檚 culture has embodied nurturing, protection, fierceness, and intelligence. These qualities have been both a source of strength and a burden, as they are often misunderstood, devalued, or framed through biased and discriminatory lenses.
These transgenerational qualities have shaped me as a practitioner. My approach is grounded in compassion, understanding, and trauma-informed care. These are the very qualities I believe should be reflected and valued in leadership, across clinics, hospitals, universities, and health systems more broadly.
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Karina Jackson erg., M.Sc. Applied (鈥�17) is a 91黑料网 alumna working in a Montreal private clinic setting. She is an active member of the 91黑料网 Occupational Therapy Mentoring Program, clinical supervisor for 91黑料网 OT students and member of a pelvic health task force with occupational therapists across Canada.
More information on the 91黑料网 Occupational Therapy Mentoring Program
