Carolyn Sifton Research Grant

My name is Mavoy Bertram, and I recently completed the first year of my full-time doctoral program at McMaster University. I am an Assistant Professor at York University in the School of Nursing and a Paediatric Nurse Practitioner. 

My research interests lie in child maltreatment prevention, adolescent pregnancy, and parenting interventions. My dissertation research focuses on using an equity-oriented lens to examine and understand the experiences and needs of Black adolescent mothers in home visiting programs.  

I have dedicated nearly twenty years to nursing, supporting children, adolescents and their families through some of the most vulnerable periods of their lives. From the beginning of my career, my goal has been to make a meaningful difference and positively impact each patient and family I encounter. I believe that during critical times, the presence of a compassionate, supportive and competent nurse, along with a dedicated healthcare team, can significantly enhance the healthcare experience.  

My pursuit of a doctoral degree is driven by the desire to extend this impact on a broader scale through research. I aim to use this platform to amplify the voices of those who are often unheard and foster positive change within the healthcare system. Specifically, this degree will enable me to contribute to the knowledge base of Black adolescent maternal health, an area that has been significantly understudied in Canada, thereby improving experiences and outcomes for mothers and their families.