DIVERSITY MATTERS
SPECIAL EDITION JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2022
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Impact Awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Stalking Awareness Month . . . . . . . . . 2 Black History Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Fall OIED Trainings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity presented the UTHSC Impact Awards recently to recognize outstanding work being done by faculty, staff, students, and trainees at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Annual Training Reminders. . . . . . . . . 4 Community Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Miriam Ghandi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Book Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Free Webinar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Holiday Gathering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Winners of the Lichterman Award, the Chancellor’s Exempt Staff Award, Student Social Justice and Diversity Leadership Awards, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Faculty Award were announced during a ceremony on Zoom.
Clarifying Concepts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Religious Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 MLK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
OFFICE OF EQUITY AND DIVERSITY TEAM
Jean Perdicaris
uthsc.edu/oed/staff Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP Associate Vice Chancellor/CDO Olivia Ralph, JD Senior Compliance Officer Dominique Crockett, MHA Assurance Officer
The Chancellor’s Exempt Staff Award was given to Rachel George, the clinical coordinator for the College of Nursing. She was lauded for her work with students, faculty, colleagues, and trainees, and her belief that high-quality service should be the top priority.
Tiffinie Snowden, MA Associate Inclusion Officer Isabella Porcaro, MA Learning & Compliance Consultant Miriam Ghandi DEI Administrative Specialist
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/ Section 504/ADA/ADEA/V institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services.
The annual Lichterman Award winner was Jean Perdicaris, the assistant to the vice chancellor for Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs. She works directly with staff, faculty, trainees, and students in her role. She was recognized for bringing a positive attitude to all her interactions with people and always looking to work on the next project or assignment, even in her down time.
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SPECIAL EDITION
DIVERSITY MATTERS
JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2022
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Stephanie Lancaster
Stephanie Lancaster, EdD, MS, OTR/L, ATP, CAPS, an assistant professor and program director for the Master of Occupational Therapy program in the College of Health Professions, was awarded the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award. She regularly teaches and mentors students, as well as interacting with faculty members, staff, and trainees. She serves on multiple boards and committees, and has research focuses on teaching and learning for students with diverse needs and on implementing cultural humility inside and outside the classroom. Student Social Justice and Diversity Healthcare Leadership Awards were given to:
January 2022 marks the eighteenth annual National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM), an annual call to action to recognize and respond to the serious crime of stalking. Stalking is defined as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that causes fear or emotional stress. NSAM’s theme of “Know It, Name It, Stop It.” Is a call to action for everyone, not only survivors. Each year, the Office of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity coordinates commemorative programming to educate the campus on stalking and the resources available to those in need. Details for upcoming events can be found in the Daily Digest.
• College of Dentistry – Aquil Muhammad • College of Graduate Health Sciences – Winter Bruner • College of Nursing – Latoria Boyland • College of Medicine – Gene Lamanilao and Connor Lenihan • College of Pharmacy – Juan Rodriguez The review committee for the awards included a representative from each college and multiple departmental units. Nominations were received from five of the six colleges at UTHSC, and awards were given to at least one student from each of those colleges. Two exceptional students from the College of Medicine received awards. “The award recipients demonstrate how things are done at UTHSC,” said Michael Alston, EdD, associate vice chancellor for Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity and chief diversity officer for UTHSC. “Through their habits, they positively impact UTHSC’s culture and make the university a better place for us all.”
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2022 THEME: BLACK HEALTH AND WELLNESS The theme for 2022 focuses on the importance of Black Health and Wellness. This theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora. The 2022 theme considers activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well. In order to foster good health and wellness Black people have embarked on self-determination, mutual aid and social support initiatives to build hospitals, medical and nursing schools (i.e. Meharry Medical College, Howard University College of Medicine, Provident Hospital and Training School, Morehouse School of Medicine, etc.) and community clinics. Clinics were established by individuals, grassroots organizations and mutual aid societies, such as the African Union Society, National Association of Colored Women and Black Panther Party, to provide spaces for Black people to counter the economic and health disparities and discrimination that are found at mainstream institutions. These disparities and anti-Blackness led to communities developing phrases such as “When white folks catch a cold, Black folks get pneumonia.” Initiatives to help decrease disparities have centered several outcomes, including having more diverse practitioners and representation in all segments of the medical and health programs including such as the Ronald E. McNair Scholars. Even the impact of popular culture texts like Doc McStuffins cannot be dismissed. Retrieved from: asalh.org/black-history-themes/ To read more about Black History Month visit: africanamericanhistorymonth. gov/about/ Stay on the lookout for events hosted by the Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity!
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SPECIAL EDITION
DIVERSITY MATTERS
JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2022
OIED TRAININGS: FALL 2021 In late Fall 2021, representatives from Campbell Clinic asked the Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity to present multiple topics offered in our educational packages. The residents in the orthopedics department participated in 2 Zoom courses taught by Dr. Michael Alston and Olivia Ralph. Diversity extends beyond race, ethnicity and gender with several definitions put forth by diversity practitioners and organizations. The goal of the lecture, “Diversity and Inclusion Literacy”, taught by Dr. Alston, is to expand attendees’ knowledge and understanding of diversity and inclusion. Attendees gained a clearer understanding of what diversity and inclusion is and what it is not, additionally they learned more about diversity and inclusion concepts. This was achieved through conversation, self-reflection moments, videos, and a question-and-answer session. “Professional Boundaries in Healthcare” taught by Olivia Ralph, provided guidance and notice of legal concerns that healthcare workers should be aware of during their interactions with patients and colleagues. Attendees evaluated and discussed various scenarios and the appropriate manner in which healthcare workers should respond to ensure they maintain professional boundaries. Additionally, they reviewed university policies and the importance of maintaining compliance with all policies. To request a training package, visit our website here.
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UPCOMING ANNUAL TRAINING REMINDERS It is that time of year again, mandatory annual training will be due in the upcoming months. All trainings can be completed in K@te and will have varying due dates up until July 2022. The following training courses are required annually to maintain compliance. • SANS Security Awareness Cybersecurity Knowledge PreCheck (IT Security Training) • Campus Security Authority (CSA) Training • UT Code of Conduct • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) • Hazard Awareness and Workplace Safety • Title VI (Civil Rights Act) • Title IX: Mandatory Responsible Employees More details to come.
MIRIAM GHANDI
COMMUNITY EVENTS
OIED NEW EMPLOYEE
CHATTANOOGA FREE FAMILY FUN NIGHT AT CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM Creative Discovery Museum February 10 | 5:30- 8:00 pm ET
For more information, visit: wrcbtv.com/ community-calendar/?/event/9732096/ 65111156/gateway-weight-los-group#!/details/ Free-Family-Fun-Night-at-Creative-DiscoveryMuseum/9370252/2022-02-10T17
KNOXVILLE FEMCITY LAUNCH EVENT Aubrey’s Papermill January 18
Click here for more information: knoxnews. com/story/money/2021/11/01/pinchyslobster-co-food-truck-coming-maryvilletwo-day-event-blackberry-farmbrewery/6234224001/
Miriam Ghandi is the DEI Administrative Specialist for the Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity. She joined the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in early December 2021. As the DEI Administrative Specialist, Miriam’s duties include providing administrative support, program support, and compliance assistance. Her responsibilities vary from performing operational duties like answering calls and emails, arranging meetings, and relaying information to the team to coordinating and promoting the Lichterman Employee of the Year and Chancellor Exempt Staff awards. As a Memphis native, Miriam attended the University of Memphis and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in Fall 2020. She is currently attending graduate school at Christian Brothers University to obtain her Master of Business Administration.
NASHVILLE MARCUS MADDOX FIGURES OF COLOR: RADICALLY BLACK Oz Arts Nashville On display until Feb 15
For more information visit: newschannel5. com/entertainment/events
MEMPHIS SHEN YUN: CHINA BEFORE COMMUNISM
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION BOOK CLUB: CASTE Discussion Date: February 24 12:00 –1:00 pm CST
Canon Center for Preforming Arts Jan 29 | 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm CT
For more information, visit: shenyun.com/ Memphis
In this brilliant book, Isabel Wilkerson gives us a masterful portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America as she explores, through an immersive, deeply researched narrative and stories about real people, how America today and throughout its history has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings. For more information, visit our website.
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SPECIAL EDITION
DIVERSITY MATTERS
JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2022
FREE WEBINAR:
ADDRESSING THE UNIQUE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF MINORITY STUDENTS Students from historically marginalized communities often experience many challenges related to accessing mental health services on campus. This is exemplified by the fact that students from minority populations tend to access campus support services at lower rates than majority populations. With this in mind, our campus communities must develop specific interventions that overcome these barriers. It is more essential than ever, as many students from historically marginalized communities have been disproportionately impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar will focus on the importance of understanding these unique challenges and ways campuses can work alongside students to decrease these barriers and connect students to the right supports at the right time to foster a cohesive and resilient student body.
Objectives • Understand the unique mental health and well-being trends of students from historically marginalized communities. • Analyze the importance of co-designing mental health and well-being solutions alongside students from historically marginalized communities to ensure adoption, utilization, and related health impacts. • Explore and analyze inclusive interventions that have demonstrated success in supporting student mental health and well-being. View webinar here.
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OIED FRIENDS AT THE HOLIDAY GATHERING 2021
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SPECIAL EDITION
DIVERSITY MATTERS
CLARIFYING CONCEPTS
JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2022
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS Jan 1
Oshogatsu (Shinto)
Jan 6
Epiphany (Christian)
Jan 7
Christmas (Orthodox Christian)
Jan 9
Birth of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji (Sikh)
Jan 14
Makara Sankranthi (Hindu)
Jan 17*
Tu B’shevat (Jewish)
Jan 21
Lunar New Year Chūnjié (Chinese New Year)
Losar (Tibetan New Year)
Seolnal (Korean New Year)
ANTI-RACISM
Tét Nguyên Đán (Vietnamese New Year)
The work of actively opposing racism by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life. Anti-racism tends to be an individualized approach and set up in opposition to individual racist behaviors and impacts.
Jan 28-29
Myaamia Winter Gathering
Feb 2
Imbolc (Pagan/Wiccan)
Feb 4
Myaamia Lunar New Year
Feb 5
Vasant Panchami (Hindu)
Feb 12
Darwin Day (Atheist/Secular)
Feb 15
Buddha’s Passing (Buddhist)
Feb 16
Sangha Day (Buddhist)
BIBLE BELT An area of the U.S., chiefly in the South and Midwest, noted for its more literal interpretations of and adherence to the Bible. This term was coined in the 1920s by H.L. Mencken.
OPPRESSION The social act of placing severe restrictions on an individual group, or institution. Typically, a government or political organization in power places restrictions formally or covertly on oppressed groups so they may be exploited and less able to compete with other social groups. The oppressed individual or group is devalued, exploited, and deprived of privileges by the individual or group who has more power.
Feb 25-28* Ayyám-i-Há (Bahá’í) Feb 28
Retrieved from: religiouslife.princeton.edu/religious-holidays
OUTING Exposing someone’s lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, or gender non-binary identity to others without their permission. Outing someone can have serious repercussions on employment, economic stability, personal safety or religious or family situations.
SOCIALISM A political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole and not limited to a small group of people or full governmental oversight.
For more information, please contact: Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity | 920 Madison Ave. | Suite 825 t 901.448.2112 | f 901.448.1120
uthsc.edu/oied
Maha Shivaratri (Hindu)