August 10, 2025
On August 10th, I participated in the 2025 Health Fair in Markham, where healthcare providers and service organizations of Chinese background offered free consultations and lectures to residents who signed up.
I had lots of fun. I helped set up the patient room and lecture area, and I also assisted others in speaking with the health professionals. This event helped me see how valuable these activities can be for people who want to improve their quality of life, and how they raise awareness about the importance of healthy eating, exercise, and taking care of the body as a whole.
I also learned about the different ways medical practitioners use Chinese medicine compared to Western medicine. For example, traditional Chinese medicine focuses on balance in the human body, yin and yang, and the flow of Qi, while Western medicine relies on scientific research and the identification of specific diseases.
The organizer created the opportunities for patients to meet healthcare providers who shared the same cultural background. During the feedback collection, many patients expressed their great appreciation for this event. This made me realize the positive impact of a shared culture between patient and doctor.
Overall, this experience showed me that health care is not only about medicine, but also about understanding people’s backgrounds and cultures.
