Lucinda Canty: Championing Health Equity, Mentorship, and Inspiring Change

Content

Health equity and mentorship are vital pillars of the nursing profession, and one individual who embodies these core principles is Lucinda Canty, an associate nursing professor and director of the Seedworks Health Equity Program at UMass Amherst. 

On November 16, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., Canty will be joining students in the Honors Hub to talk about her personal and professional journey during Pizza and Prof. She will also be discussing the research she has conducted — which encompasses the prevention of maternal mortality, reducing racial and ethnic health disparities in reproductive health, promoting diversity in nursing, and eliminating racism in nursing. In a recent conversation with her, Canty graciously shared the remarkable journey that ignited her unwavering passion for nursing.

Discovering Her Passion

Canty grew up in Windsor, CT, and knew from a young age she wanted to become a nurse. She then went on to pursue higher education so she could achieve this dream. 
 
“I started out at a two-year women's college, and I received a degree in liberal arts. I'm a first-generation college student, so I didn't really understand a lot about the process. I didn't even know of Ivy League colleges, and I never really thought about myself there. But it was at that women’s college that I was encouraged by my dean to go to Columbia,” Canty explains.

After completing her undergraduate studies at Columbia University, in New York, NY, Lucinda worked in the medical field for several years and then eventually returned to the academic world. It was at Yale University in New Haven, CT, where she studied to become a nurse midwife — which became her dream after witnessing one nurse midwife’s heroic efforts. 

“I saw a woman who gave birth in the hallway in the hospital and a midwife jumped in and helped her and that’s when I knew what I wanted to do,” says Canty. 

Bringing Equity to Healthcare

Throughout her career, Canty has been driven by a desire to promote health equity and eliminate disparities. Her research has focused on addressing systemic racism in nursing, and reducing racial inequities in reproductive health.

"I started to understand how race played a significant role in how we show up in the healthcare system," she notes. "To understand racial disparities, I had to understand racism — because that’s really the factor that impacts all aspects of our lives."

Canty conducts community-based research to give voice to marginalized groups. "I want to know who's behind the statistics," she says. "I can't utilize resources in the right way without learning and asking people, ‘What is it that you need?’".

Driven to Make Impact

As a nursing professor, there is so much inspiration and drive within the program. But Canty shared exactly what about her job motivates her to keep doing the hard work. 
 
“I love working with students, especially when I see their confidence grow, not only in the clinical space but also, I love seeing how they develop into the person they want to be, how they gain that confidence, how they learn how to problem solve. They learn how to look at issues. Those are things that drive me and keep me going. I always think about those pieces and even if I just have one person say ‘thank you, this really made a difference’, that's enough to keep me going,” she explains. 

Connecting with Students

In addition to her academic research, Canty finds great joy in connecting with students. She shared that she looks forward to having open conversations during the Pizza & Prof event.

"I love having discussions. That’s the part that I’m looking forward to the most, is that I’m a first-generation college student, and I think about my experiences and I think about how much I’ve learned and I’ve grown, and I love to be able to share that," she says.

Canty welcomes the chance to learn from students' perspectives and experiences. By coming together over pizza, she hopes to foster an environment of mutual learning and growth.

We look forward to hearing more of Canty's insights and experiences at the upcoming Pizza & Prof event. Her story is an inspiration to all students working to find their path and make a difference.

Join Us in Inspiring Change

Canty's inspirational story illustrates her deep passion for nursing, mentorship, and advancing health equity. When speaking with us, her warmth and enthusiasm for connecting with students were evident. For any student who may be uncertain about attending the upcoming Pizza & Prof event, Canty urges,

"Please come. We're going to have good conversations. I like talking about real issues. I want to hear your perspective."

She emphasizes that learning goes both ways — while she can share her experiences, she is also there to listen and gain insight into what is important to students. By fostering an open, comfortable environment over pizza, Canty hopes to create a space for meaningful discussions and mutual growth.

Don't miss the chance to hear more of Canty's insights and be a part of this impactful event. Let us know if you're planning to attend Pizza & Prof!