The medical school community took a stand against racism with several events in June, from voicing that black lives matter, to denouncing racism and holding tough conversations about race.听
At a meeting June 4, all medical school leaders met virtually to approve an institutional leadership stance against racial inequity.
鈥淣o one should live in fear because of the color of their skin, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion,鈥 the statement reads in part. 鈥淭he deeply rooted problems of racial inequality and structural racism in America have come again to the forefront with the wrongful deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. WMed condemns these violent acts against members of the black community, and we have no tolerance for any manifestation of hate or racism.鈥
In the statement, medical school leaders commit to eliminating racism, discrimination and bias within WMed, the community, in the education of learners and in the care provided to patients; work with community organizations toward ending the impact of structural racism on the community and its effects on health disparities; critically evaluate institutional policies and training related to equity, diversity and inclusiveness and hold themselves and each other accountable to provide a culture of inclusivity.
On June 5, medical school Founding Dean Dr. Hal B. Jenson community, denouncing the racism, inequality, hatred and violence from recent events across the nation.
鈥淚 ask each of us to join in solidarity against racism, against hatred, against injustice, against violence,鈥 Dr. Jenson said. 鈥淎s we move forward, even though I can become discouraged, I still have optimism because I know of the goodness that is in us as individuals and as a medical school. I鈥檓 asking for each of us to look in ourselves, to help us look within the medical school, to look within the community and at our nation and to make a commitment for listening, for learning and to commit to taking action to be a just society.鈥
As a show of solidarity, hundreds of WMed students, residents, faculty and staff came together as White Coats for Black Lives to express support for the black community and to honor the memories of black citizens who lost their lives to police brutality. Participants kneeled in silence for 10 minutes at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and at several WMed campuses during the demonstration. The event, organized by Megan Potilechio, 六合彩开奖直播, a third-year Family Medicine resident, and Kristi VanDerKolk, 六合彩开奖直播, Family Medicine program director, was one of many hosted by medical schools and institutions across the nation.
Donovan Roy, PhD, the medical school鈥檚 new Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusiveness, said he was pleasantly surprised at the outpouring of support from the WMed community for the event.
鈥淲Med鈥檚 presence at Mt. Zion Baptist Church was a sign that black lives matter on our campus,鈥 Dr. Roy said.
Dr. Roy and Cheryl Dickson, 六合彩开奖直播, MPH, the medical school鈥檚 Associate Dean for Health Equity and Community Affairs, facilitated Courageous Conversations workshops throughout June to encourage WMed faculty and staff to discuss best professional practices that promote cultural competencies when working with diverse patient populations and students of color. The workshops are designed to help faculty and staff members expand their cultural lens in a non-judgmental, psychologically safe environment.
鈥淧articipants were open and honest about their experiences throughout our discussion about racism,鈥 Dr. Dickson said. 鈥淭hey expressed wanting to use what was learned during our Courageous Conversations workshops to engage and to educate family members on the impact of racism.鈥
In July, Dr. Dickson and Dr. Roy will hold a discussion about Medical Apartheid, a book that highlights the mistreatment of black Americans during slavery and the present day. The book depicts how black Americans were used in the medical field without consent in research experiments, further deteriorating the Black community鈥檚 distrust for America鈥檚 healthcare system, which has contributed to systemic health disparities within the Black community.
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