Health Sciences to host a number of events during WVU Diversity Week 2021

Cultural Conversations: Celebrating the Social Significance of Ethnicity” is the theme of WVU’s Diversity Week 2021. WVU’s annual Diversity Week promotes celebration, education, and understanding of different identities and experiences present on our campuses.

The 2021 theme provides the WVU community an opportunity to explore the ways ethnic and pan-ethnic identities lead to shared social, cultural, and historical experiences that can be a source of pride and belonging, while also being a source of conflict and prejudice.

A number of Health Sciences-specific events are planned as part of this year's lineup. Learn more about them below:

All Week

State of Mind Art Exhibition

Location: Health Sciences Pylons
This exhibition features diversity-related artwork created by students and some faculty members. Hosted by School of Dentistry Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee in collaboration with the School of Dentistry Wellness Committee.

Monday, Oct. 11

Antiracism in Nursing Education: Recommendations for Racial Justice Praxis

Noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom
Join a Journal Club Article discussion with author Tesiah Coleman and Dr. Sam Cotton. Hosted by the School of Nursing DEI Committee.

Culturally Aware Mentoring by Dr. Kelly Diggs-Andrews

3 to 4:30 p.m. via Zoom
An introductory workshop on Culturally Aware Mentoring is being offered by Dr. Kelly Diggs-Andrews. This session, for faculty and staff who mentor graduate students and other trainees, will be followed with a more advanced session early in the spring semester. Hosted by the HSC Office of Research and Graduate Education.

Supporting Asian Americans: A Film & Panel Discussion

6 p.m., Mountainlair J. Gluck Theatre
Amidst a global pandemic, another epidemic was resurging in the United States: anti-Asian hate and violence. You are invited to an exclusive viewing of the documentary film "The Race Epidemic" about the epidemic of hate against Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Award-winning screenwriter and director Tony Shyu developed a documentary that dives deep into the history of the AAPI community in the United States through storytelling and interviews with prominent Asian American politicians. The film will be followed by a panel discussion where social workers and community members will weigh in on how we can better support Asian Americans in the WVU community and beyond. Hosted by School of Social Work, School of Medicine, West Virginia Prevention Research Center, and the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources.

Tuesday, Oct. 12

"Healthcare in Bulgaria: Medicine for the Underserved"

Noon to 1 p.m., HSC North - Room 1909
"Healthcare in Bulgaria: Medicine for the Underserved" will be presented by Lorenzo Rodriguez, 2019 Fullbright Scholar, New York State COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Supervisor. Hosted by the Rural Health Interest Group.

Muslim and African American Student Association Tours / Panel Discussion

4 to 5 p.m. Health Sciences, West Virginia Room, HSC North H 1155
The School of Dentistry Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is having student tours and panel discussion for the Muslim and African American Student Association, undergraduate level, on Tuesday, Oct. 12, and Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 4 p.m. The panel discussion with the group will begin around 4:30 p.m.

How to be a Male Ally: Podcast Listening Event

4 to 4:50 p.m. via Zoom
A podcast listening event will feature the The Fix with Michelle King. The episode will be “How to be a Male Ally at Work” in which David G. Smith, Ph.D. and W. Brad Johnson, Ph.D. discuss why, and how, men play a crucial role in promoting gender equity at work. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend this event.
After the podcast, discussion will be held among participants. Hosted by the Health Sciences Center Office of Research and Graduate Education.

Wednesday, Oct. 13

Addressing Racism in Nursing: Acknowledging the Past, Changing the Present, and Shaping the Future

Noon via Zoom
Dr. Sam Cotton will facilitate a panel discussion with Ms. Tesiah Coleman, MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC, WHNP-BC, CLC; Ms. Anita Coleman Law, CRNA, MSN, RN; Dr. Heather Washington, PhD; and Dr. Rachel Woldoff, PhD. Hosted by the School of Nursing DEI Committee.

The International Human Right to Health

Noon to 1 p.m. via MDTV Webcast
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has placed a renewed focus on the human right to health, a protection provided by numerous international declarations. To address health as a human right and the legal obligation it creates, David H. Moore, professor of law at Brigham Young University, will present “The International Human Right to Health." The lecture is free and open to the public. Hosted by the School of Public Health and the College of Law.

Muslim and African American Student Association Tours / Panel Discussion

Dr. Linda DeAngelo: Inequalities in Higher Education

4 p.m. via Zoom
Dr. Linda DeAngelo, associate professor of higher education at the University of Pittsburgh, will illuminate how factors such as race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status influence a student's pipeline to higher education, in particular graduate-level studies. Dr. DeAngelo will present how the mentorship process can transform a student's journey through higher education. The session will appeal to individuals who impact higher education administration currently or in the future, educating on how decision-making processes and biases can impact students’ ability to continue their education. Hosted by the WVU Health Sciences Center Graduate Student Organization and the WVU Higher Education Student Association.

POSTPONED: Celebrating Religious Diversity

This event has been postponed. Additional details will be provided when the event is rescheduled.

Friday, Oct. 15

Educating Culturally Competent Healthcare Professionals: Delivering Patient-Centered Care

Noon via Zoom
Dr. Karen West, DMD, MPH and President and CEO of the American Dental Education Association will help participants learn to identify the benefits of educating health care professionals to provide culturally competent patient-centered care; summarize key elements associated with providing culturally competent patient-centered care; explain best practices for educating students to provide culturally-competent patient-centered care through a health equity lens; and describe how to infuse cultural competence into an integrated-comprehensive care model to facilitate patient-centered care for all persons. Organized by Dr. Shelia Price, Dr. Linda Nield and Dr. Melanie Fisher.

"Identity in the Age of Ancestral Testing"

Noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom
Join the School of Nursing for this presentation by Dr. Anita Foeman, PhD.