Meet Dr. Fasika Aklilu, emergency physician, Grey Nuns Community Hospital

Dr. Fasika Aklilu, an emergency physician at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital, believes her work is as much about fostering equity as it is about providing exceptional care.

“Equity isn’t about treating everyone the same,” she says. “It’s about understanding systemic barriers and historic trauma and addressing them with compassion and care.”

Fasika completed most of her education and training through the University of Alberta, and she and most of her extended family live in Edmonton. A physician with Covenant Health for almost 15 years, she feels a sense of duty to practice medicine in the city.

“Alberta educated me, and so I feel a sense of responsibility to practice medicine here. It’s a complex relationship, but I feel like this is home,” she says.

Fasika believes that, in the fast-paced environment of the emergency department, her Ethiopian heritage profoundly shapes her approach. She recalls a recent encounter with an Indigenous patient who had been waiting for hours to receive medical attention. The weight of systemic injustices, combined with the immediate distress of the situation, led to an emotionally charged moment, says Fasika.

“We ended up tearing up together. My heritage and identity allow me to connect with trauma not as something abstract but as a visceral reality. It informs how I treat every patient — with dignity, empathy and a commitment to equity.”

Reflecting on her journey as a Black professional, she recalls taking on the role of chief of emergency medicine at the hospital during a crisis. While the situation seemed daunting at first, it became transformative. Based on her experience, she emphasizes that it is important for Black professionals not to let fear hold them back and to seize opportunities when they feel right. Her advice to young people starting their career is: “You belong here. Don’t doubt it for a second. Take risks, build your support system and never underestimate your ability to achieve extraordinary things.”  

She also shares a secret she has discovered. “You don’t have to be extraordinary to do extraordinary things. You just have to be willing to show up, to take risks and to collaborate with others. Success isn’t about being perfect.”

Fasika also emphasizes the importance of diversity in leadership, noting that the upper echelons of healthcare organizations often lack representation.

During her tenure as interim chief of emergency medicine, she prioritized inclusive practices, such as integrating land acknowledgments into meetings — a gesture that should be the norm, not an exception, she says.

Inspired by figures like Nelson Mandela, Fasika draws lessons from history about the power of reconciliation and inclusive leadership. “Mandela’s vision of elevating everyone, especially the most marginalized, resonates deeply with me,” she says. “True leadership is about inclusivity and fostering a shared future.”

For Fasika, Black History Month is a time of reflection and connection. “It’s deeply healing,” she says. “It’s a chance to celebrate the richness of our heritage while acknowledging the shared challenges we face.”  

Fasika says she finds solace during the month in attending church services, where stories of resilience and unity provide a sense of belonging. “Being Black in Canada means navigating a complex identity, but it also means drawing strength from our diversity and shared experiences.”

Going forward, Fasika advises that anyone can support their Black colleagues throughout the year by making decisions through a lens of equity, diversity and inclusiveness.  

“Equity-deserving groups experience the world differently and bring invaluable perspectives to the table — perspectives that enrich all of us,” she says.