Latest news with #Massan
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Manitoba health officials admit racism in care of Indigenous man who died of cancer
A Manitoba health authority has admitted an Indigenous man, who died four months after a delayed confirmation his cancer had returned, was subject to racism while seeking treatment. Stephen Rockwell's mother, Leona Massan, said hearing that from health officials in July provided a "tiny bit of peace," but it doesn't undo the pain of a health-care system that brushed her son aside during three straight visits to Thompson's hospital in late 2023. He had "tumours all over the place" once the CT scan was finally completed, Massan said. "And these guys here at Thompson General Hospital, they just made him suffer." Rockwell, who worked as a community safety officer in Thompson and dreamed of becoming a police officer, was a "big goofball" who enjoyed making people laugh, his sister Stacey Rockwell said, but by early 2023 he wasn't acting like himself. And his flu-like symptoms weren't letting up. He was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. After receiving chemotherapy, he entered remission in the summer. But by October, Stephen's health started to fail. He was going cross-eyed, which a doctor chalked up to stress from fighting cancer. Stephen complained of severe back pain, which led to medication being prescribed, but nothing more. Stacey Rockwell said a medical professional accused her brother, who didn't use drugs, of only visiting the hospital to get drugs. "He was treated like, 'You're a drug-seeker,'" like "any other Indigenous [person] off the street," she said, referring to a common stereotype Indigenous people endure. "That narrative was placed on him, which is wrong." His family argues medical staff dismissed a patient with serious pain who deserved regular monitoring because complications from a cancer diagnosis are possible. With nowhere else to turn, Massan took her son to a chiropractor, who noticed a mass in his spine and hip. The chiropractor wrote a letter that day requesting Thompson's hospital conduct a CT scan. At first, a physician at the hospital scoffed at being asked to follow a chiropractor's recommendation, Massan said. "And I said, 'Excuse me, it says doctor in front of [his name], too,'" she said. Stephen was quickly given a CT scan that identified tumours in his spine, hip, stomach and the left side of his back, Massan said, and then was rushed to the CancerCare facility in Winnipeg. He underwent an aggressive chemotherapy regime and a stem cell transplant — the latter at Stacey's urging — but they came up short. He died on March 13, 2024, four months after the return of his leukemia was confirmed. He was 33. "I always think about what-ifs," Massan said. "What if they would have listened to us? What if they would have given him treatment faster?" She's certain racism contributed to the medical treatment her son received. Her son would have agreed, Massan said. He once asked the doctors to treat him like everyone else on the ward, she said. At one point, her son turned to her and said maybe she shouldn't have accompanied him to hospital. That's because his Cree mother looked more Indigenous than him, and maybe that impacted the way he, a member of Shamattawa First Nation, was treated. "You know how much that hurt?" she said, looking down. "Still hurts today. "Maybe I shouldn't have went with him to the hospital. Maybe they would have treated him better." When her children were born, she decided to give them their Irish father's surname. She thought it might spare them from the racism she experienced. It's heartbreaking that it didn't, Massan said. In July, she called Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara's office to again voice her concerns, which led the Northern Regional Health Authority to meet with Massan later that month. Over the course of their three-hour meeting, officials admitted Stephen received racist treatment while accessing health care, Massan said. Asagwara, who says systemic racism exists in the health system, commended Northern Health for acknowledging that racism occurred in this case. "Now we have to do the work of unpacking that and making sure it doesn't happen moving forward," Asagwara said. A "cancer diagnosis is challenging for anyone," the minister said. "Adding experiences of racism into that health-care journey is really just unfair." Massan said she originally sent a letter to Asagwara's office in November 2024, but the province said last month it has no record of that correspondence. Northern Health said in a statement it remains committed to eliminating all forms of Indigenous-specific racism. The authority signed a declaration to that effect in 2022, which included a promise of more education for staff around anti-racism, cultural proficiency and Indigenous cultural safety. In June, the province released a report that found people of colour, including patients who identify as Indigenous, generally spend longer in Winnipeg emergency department waiting rooms than white people. While Massan has requested another meeting with Northern Health to discuss next steps, her family is meanwhile learning to adapt to life without Stephen, who they say was a loving father and husband. His mom still glances at her phone, waiting for his text or call. His sister Stacey struggles to accept that her decision to donate stem cells to her little brother wasn't enough to save his life. And his three children are left wondering, particularly his youngest daughter, now four years old, who thought a recent visit to the hospital was a chance to see her dad again. "When her mom walked in with her, she perked right up — 'Are we here to see Daddy? Are we going to visit Daddy?'" Stacey Rockwell said. "And that's heartbreaking, because she doesn't understand."
Muscat Daily
07-05-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Al Mouj Muscat: Shaping finance for strategic impact in real estate and tourism
Muscat – Ahmed al Massan is the Chief Financial Officer of Al Mouj Muscat. He was awarded the prestigious 'CFO of the Year' award in the real estate category at the Oman CFO Forum & Awards in September 2024, which recognised the exceptional contributions of CFOs and finance teams who have demonstrated excellence and innovation. In this exclusive interview, Massan shares valuable insights into the evolving role of the finance function within the real estate sector, particularly in large-scale integrated tourism complexes. He discusses how Al Mouj Muscat's finance team has transitioned from a traditional, project-based focus to a strategic, portfolio-driven approach that supports sustainable growth and long-term value creation. He also highlights the future of the CFO role in a digitally driven world and the essential skills required for aspiring finance leaders. How has the finance function evolved at Al Mouj Muscat as the integrated tourism complex continues to expand and grow? How do you ensure that financial strategies are aligned with Al Mouj's broader strategic objectives? As an integrated tourism complex (ITC) expands and grows, the finance function undergoes significant evolution, shifting from a traditional focus on accounting and project financing to a more strategic role aligned with the broader goals of a large-scale, diversified development. At Al Mouj Muscat, the finance function has shifted from a project-centric to a portfolio-centric approach, evaluating returns across multiple projects and assessing the combined value creation for the entire development. This requires sophisticated portfolio analysis, risk management, strategic planning, a focus on revenue diversification, cash flow management, process automation, investor relations, and the balancing of different asset classes within the ITC (e.g. hotels, residential, retail, golf, and marina). As an ITC matures, the finance function transforms into a strategic, multi-faceted partner that supports sustainable growth, risk management, and the realisation of a long-term vision for the development. This evolution aligns finance's objectives with the company's broader mission to deliver value across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. What are the key drivers of business transformation in your sector, and how does the finance function fit into and contribute to this transformation? In the real estate development sector, particularly within the context of integrated tourism complexes (ITCs), business transformation is driven by a convergence of several critical forces. These drivers require the finance function to play a strategic role. Some of these drivers include expansion and portfolio diversification, evolving customer expectations towards experiential offerings, a focus on sustainable development, digitalisation and data analytics, increasing regulatory and compliance requirements, and enhanced stakeholder and investor relations. In summary, as the real estate development sector continues to transform, finance has become an essential, strategic function that supports sustainable growth, innovation, and risk management within ITCs. The finance team's role has expanded from traditional financial oversight to becoming a proactive partner in digital transformation, sustainability initiatives, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement – making it a driving force behind the company's competitive edge and long-term success. Looking ahead, how do you envision the role of CFOs evolving in the context of digital transformation, and what impact do you foresee emerging technologies having on the finance function in future? As digital transformation accelerates, the role of CFOs in the real estate and integrated tourism complex sectors will evolve significantly, becoming strategic drivers of technological innovation and data-driven decision-making. Emerging technologies will reshape the finance function, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and foresight. The CFO of the future will be a technology-savvy leader, deeply embedded in the digital ecosystem of the organisation. They will drive data-centric strategies, adopt technologies that streamline processes and secure financial data, and manage both financial and non-financial risks with agility. By harnessing emerging technologies, CFOs will transform finance from a back-office function into a forward-looking, strategic partner that shapes the company's growth, resilience, and adaptability in a rapidly changing world. What guidance would you offer to those aspiring to a CFO role? Which skills and traits do you believe will be crucial for future CFOs? To thrive as a future CFO, it is essential to recognise that the landscape is rapidly evolving. This requires a blend of traditional finance skills and emerging competencies in technology, strategy, leadership, and people management. The CFO role is no longer solely about managing financial statements; it is about guiding the organisation through complexity, driving innovation, and ensuring sustainable growth. Here is a roadmap of skills and traits that are crucial for the future CFO role: develop a strong foundation in finance and accounting; embrace and understand digital transformation; prioritise data-driven decision-making; develop strong communication and stakeholder management skills; build leadership and people management capabilities; and embrace continuous learning and professional development. What role do you believe events like the Oman CFO Forum, held in September 2024, play in strengthening relationships and dialogue among finance leaders? Are there specific topics you think should be highlighted in future editions of the Oman CFO Forum? Events such as the Oman CFO Forum play a critical role in fostering collaboration, learning, and innovation among finance leaders. They offer a unique platform for CFOs and finance professionals to exchange insights, discuss industry challenges, and develop strategies to address evolving market conditions. As for topics in future editions of the Oman CFO Forum, I would like to suggest: strategic risk management and resilience building; CFOs as strategic business partners; cybersecurity and data privacy in finance; and talent management within the finance function. By focusing on these topics, future CFO forums can continue to empower finance leaders to navigate the complexities of an evolving landscape, promote innovative solutions, and help drive the finance function towards a more strategic, resilient, and future-ready role.
