UBC faculty of medicine student Danielle Busayong has been honoured with the 2022 Professor Jessie Gordon MacCarthy Memorial Scholarship as part of the 2022 UBC Health Awards and Scholarships.
Busayong, a second-year student in the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program in the School of Audiology and Speech Sciences, was recognized for her leadership in community health through her contributions to equity, diversity, inclusivity, and social justice.
She developed a guide for speech language pathologists to utilize FirstVoices, an online resource for Indigenous languages. She also established a summer language program for underserved populations at Strathcona Community Centre in Vancouver that addressed inclusivity in a language-rich environment in the community. In addition, Busayong runs a social media account that focuses on sharing knowledge in the field of speech-language pathology through equity, diversity, inclusivity and social justice lenses. Among her accomplishments, she also serves on the board of directors for Speech-Language & Audiology Canada.
“I am honoured to be the recipient of the Professor Jessie Gordon MacCarthy Memorial Scholarship and am thankful for my family, friends and mentors who have supported me in this winding journey,” Busayong said. “My passion for inclusivity, diversity, equity and access have always led me to seek out and start initiatives that address these gaps in healthcare — change starts with us!”
The Professor Jessie Gordon MacCarthy Memorial Scholarship recognizes a student in the final year of any pre-licensure health science program who best combines academic excellence, demonstrated interest, and leadership in the field of community health. The scholarship was established through an endowment in memory of Jessie Gordon MacCarthy, long-term contributor to the development of health sciences at UBC.
Through these awards and scholarships, UBC Health recognizes the academic and research excellence of faculty and students from various health disciplines at UBC and the achievements of health educators, professionals, and community partners across B.C.