BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Nurses learn a lot of skills in school but caring for textured hair isn’t one of them. Sophia Thomas reports on a group of women bringing hair equity to the the UVM Medical Center.
A few years ago, Pascale Onguende was recovering from a c-section at UVM Medical Center. She had nurses attending to her every need, except her hair.
“My body was sore, I was tired, I didn’t have anybody to wash my hair,” Onguende recalled.
Sadly, Oguende’s story isn’t unique. Many patients of color have passed through UVMMC in the care of nurses who don’t know how to wash or style their hair.
“If you weren’t able to either bring your own products or kind of find creative ways, you just went without, and then your hair would suffer,” said the hospital’s Vanessa Rose.
These stories inspired a years-long effort to develop a hair equity program at the hospital. Oguende, who runs Braids by Pascale, in South Burlington, helped lead the effort. “I was very excited when I was approached to participate. So, it was almost as in the dream, you know, that child dream that you have in you come true,” she said.
Hospital staff researched the best products for textured hair, incorporating shampoos, conditioners, and accessories into patient resources. Then, with Oguende at the helm, they led textured hair care training sessions for nurses and LNAs.
“In that environment, we really created something that was safe for everybody to ask any questions,” said the hospital’s Paule Newchurch.
Staff learned about curl patterns and proper washing and styling, practicing on community members paid through a grant to volunteer their hair.
“It was an amazing experience. People were very engaging, people asking questions, people were excited, people were emotional,” Onguende said.
“I think they were really grateful because this is information that was never really, you know, given before,” Newchurch said. The hair equity team says nurses are thrilled to be able to cater to all patients and patients are feeling the love. “It’s definitely, you know, heartwarming to hear that, you know, people are now really kind of just taking advantage of this, you know, great project and utilizing it for the best or in for our patients.”
Officials say they hope to eventually expand the program to other facilities in the UVM Health Network.