Shukri Jumale named a 2024 Caregiver of the Year

The Minnesota Hospital Association has named Shukri Jumale a 2024 Caregiver of the Year. Jumale is program manager of the Midwest Fetal Care Center (MWFCC), a collaboration between Allina Health and Children’s Minnesota. Shukri plays an essential role in MWFCC’s fetal equity project, which aims to ensure all communities have access to the superior care MWFCC provides unborn babies with complex medical conditions.

A trusted connector

Minnesota has the largest population of Somali Americans in the United States. But MWFCC staff noticed few Somali Americans were coming to the center for care. In 2023, Shukri helped convene focus groups with Somali American women to learn why few were seeking care at MWFCC. As a trained obstetrics nurse, natural connector and Somali American woman herself, Shukri was adept at creating a safe space, building trust and approaching each conversation with genuine curiosity and caring. The focus groups were wildly successful and uncovered crucial information: many women believed their religion forbade medical intervention for fetuses.

Shukri helped engage Islamic scholars to weigh in on the issue. The scholars concluded that parents could accept medical intervention if their fetus has an abnormality, in fact the Quran states they must. Shukri is now helping to share this information locally and nationally, so more women can take steps to save or improve the life of their fetus.

Shukri’s tenacity, dedication to improving health equity and ability to build trust with people who may mistrust the medical establishment, have led to important results. Shukri’s work is helping families thrive in Minnesota and beyond.

Congratulations, Shukri!