DIVERSITY MATTERS
JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2018
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Staff Highlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2017 Campus Awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Religious Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Community Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. . . . . . . 4 Diversity Certificate Program. . . . . . . 4 Congratulations!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 – 6
Charlene Buckley
OFFICE OF EQUITY AND DIVERSITY TEAM
STAFF HIGHLIGHT:
uthsc.edu/oed/staff
Charlene Buckley serves as a Patient Flow Coordinator and Dental Assistant in the Department of Orthodontics at UTHSC. She recently earned UTHSC’s Diversity Certificate as a member of the inaugural Diversity Certificate Program launched by the Office of Equity and Diversity. Earlier this fall, she also volunteered to teach Polynesian dances at UTHSC’s Employee Appreciation Day, which was luau themed. Her involvement in many diversity-related activities shows a commitment to multiculturalism worth highlighting.
Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP Assistant Vice Chancellor
Dustin Fulton, MS Sr. Equity Assurance Administrator
CHARLENE L. BUCKLEY
Administrative Aide
When asked about her interest in the Diversity Certificate Program, Charlene indicated that through the program, she hoped to expand her appreciation for and knowledge of diversity in the workplace and in her personal life. After completing the program, she feels that her ability to work professionally with diverse patients has been enhanced. Some important areas of growth Charlene identified were a more thorough grasp of ADA accommodations, conflict resolution strategies related to diversity issues and a deeper understanding of the meaning of diversity.
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.
In addition to her commitment to the Diversity Certificate Program, she shared her multicultural dance skills with the campus at Employee Appreciation Day. These dances have always been a part of her life, and she has taught them professionally in the past, making this a perfect opportunity for her to share her cultural experience with her colleagues. Ultimately, Charlene believes that her multicultural experiences can contribute to her place in the UTHSC community as someone who encourages a culture of acceptance and places value in diversity and inclusion.
Lauren Rotonda, JD, MBA Sr. Inclusion Strategist
Sophia Mosher, MPA
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DIVERSITY MATTERS
JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2018
2017 CAMPUS AWARDS
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS Jan. 1: Mary, Mother of God (Catholic Christian)
Gantan-sai – New Years (Shinto)
Jan. 2-4:
Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)
Jan. 5:
Twelfth Night (Christian)
Guru Gobindh Singh birthday (Sikh)
Jan. 6: Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) (Christian)
Nativity of Christ (Armenian Orthodox)
Jan. 13:
Maghi (Sikh)
Jan. 18-25: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Christian)
THOMAS C. LICHTERMAN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR HARRIET C. LANG To honor the memory of Tommy Lichterman and in celebration of his dedicated and enthusiastic service to UT Health Science Center, the Lichterman family and many friends have established the Thomas Connell Lichterman Employee of the Year Award. This award is presented annually to a non-exempt employee who demonstrates the high standards and positive characteristics exemplified by Tommy. The 2017 recipient is Harriet C. Lang, who works in the Office of Space Planning and Utilization.
CHANCELLOR’S EXEMPT STAFF AWARD KATHY L. GIBBS This award was created to recognize non-faculty exempt employees who have demonstrated outstanding service and/or who have made significant contributions to the University community beyond that normally expected for their positions. Drs. Michael and Chandra Alston, co-chairs for non-exempt staff and non-faculty exempt staff groups, during the Health Science Center Family Campaign are the original donors behind this award. The 2017 recipient is Kathy L. Gibbs, who serves as director of Student Academic Support Services and Inclusion.
Jan. 19:
Timkat (Ethiopian Orthodox (Christian)
Jan. 21:
World Religion Day (Baha'i)
Jan. 22:
Vasant Panchami * (Hindu)
Jan. 25:
Conversion of St. Paul (Christian)
Jan. 30-31: Tu BiShvat * (Jewish) Feb. 2:
Candlemas (Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Christian)
Imbolc – Lughnassad * (Wicca/Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres)
Saint Brighid of Kildare (Celtic Christian)
Feb. 3:
St. Blaise Day (Christian) Setsebun Sai (Shinto)
Feb. 4:
Four Chaplains Sunday (Interfaith)
Feb. 11:
Cheesefare Sunday (Orthodox) Christian
Transfiguration Sunday (Christian)
Feb. 12:
Clean Monday - Lent begins (Orthodox Christian)
Feb. 13:
Shrove Tuesday (Christian)
Feb. 14:
St. Valentine's Day (Christian)
Maha Shivaratri * (Hindu)
Ash Wednesday – Lent begins (Christian)
Feb. 15:
Nirvana Day * (Buddhist, Jain)
Feb. 16:
Chinese New Year (Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist)
Feb. 18:
Orthodox Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
* Date may vary by local or regional customs 2
COMMUNITY EVENTS NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM'S KING DAY “The National Civil Rights Museum will remember the life and legacy of one of the most prolific humanitarians and leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during the holiday celebration on Monday, January 18. The Museum will host a full day focused on service and remembrance of Dr. King’s impact on our nation and around the world. Activities include daylong family entertainment, youthcentered learning, and the National Civil Rights Museum experience. In the spirit of community service, the museum will hold its annual MidSouth Food Bank Drive and Lifeblood Drive, and serve as a center for community resources and engagement.” THEME: SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER $5 Ticket | $3 Entry with Food Bank Donation | FREE entry with 3+ and a blood donation For more information, visit civilrightsmuseum.org/king-day
(DIS)PLACED BODIES EXHIBITION January 4 – January 30 | Memphis College of Art, 1930 Poplar Ave., Memphis, 38104 “On view from January 4 – 30, with a reception from 6:00 – 800 pm on January 26. In conversation with MLK50 remembering the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, Memphis College of Art and the University of Memphis joined together to present a thoughtful and contemporary look at inequalities and social justice in Memphis.” For more information, visit mca.edu/event/displaced-bodies-exhibition
MEMPHIS EMPTY BOWLS PROJECT January 21, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Crosstown Concourse, 1350 Concourse Ave., Memphis, 38104 “Artisans, educators and students, and others around the Memphis area create handcrafted and hand-painted bowls to raise funds to fight hunger. Guests are invited to a delicious, simple dinner of soup and bread donated by local restaurants where they may select one of the beautiful, handcrafted bowls to take home as a reminder of the bowls that go empty in Memphis, as well as the inspiring work being done in our community to fight hunger.” For more information, visit memphisemptybowls.com
THE JUNETEENTH STORY PLAY: A SALUTE TO THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS Friday, February 2 at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm | Canon Center for the Performing Arts For more information, visit ticketmaster.com/the-juneteenth-story-play-cannon-center-for-the-performing-memphis-tn/ venueartist/222024/2449752
SHEN YUN With classical Chinese dance, brilliant costumes, breathtaking backdrops, and an enchanting orchestral sound—this is an experience like no other. Wednesday, February 14 at 7:30 pm | Canon Center for the Performing Arts For more information, visit shenyun.com
¡CUBANISMO! AT GPAC Saturday, February 17, 8:00 pm “The leader of ¡Cubanismo!, Jesús Alemañy, was a trumpeter for Sierra Maestra, one of Cuba's leading son groups, from the age of 15. Now residing in London, Alemañy immerses the listener in sweet dance sessions full of swaggering horn charts and wild polyrhythms that recall the vintage big-band son sound. The orchestra is filled with the likes of Irakere veteran flutist Orlando "Maracas" Valle; saxophonist Yosvany Terry from Los Terry, his family's Afro-Cuban group; the great Cuban bassist Carlos del Puerto; and tres player Pancho Amat. The all-star percussion lineup boasts the venerable "Tata" Güines and Roberto Vizcaino on tumbadoras (conga drums) and the always inventive timbalero Emilio del Monte.” For more information, visit gpacweb.com/event-list/2018/2/17/cubanismo
ARTSAVVY: CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH THROUGH DANCE Tuesday, February 20, 7:00 pm This session will highlight African American dance artists creating and performing in the Mid-South. We will talk current aspirations, challenges and how choreographers like Ronald K. Brown have changed the landscape of dance in America. Free and open to the public. RSVP Required. For more information, visit gpacweb.com/event-list/2017/8/9/artsavvy-celebrate-black-history-month-through-dance 3
DIVERSITY MATTERS
JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2018
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday is a perfect opportunity for Americans to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.
initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King's vision of a "Beloved Community."
After a long struggle, legislation was signed in 1983 creating a federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a "day on, not a day off." The MLK Day of Service is a part of Serve.gov, the President's national call to service
In Memphis, this day takes on especial significance this year as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination. There are events planned throughout the year as part of MLK50, as well as “King Day” at the National Civil Rights Museum and a Day of Service on South Main on Monday, January 15, 2018. Adapted from nationalservice.gov/special-initiatives/ days-service/mlkdaygov/about-dr-king-and-mlk-day and downtownmemphis.com/mlk-day
DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM effectiveness and reputation. Investing in diversity and inclusion is paramount to improving employee engagement, serving students more effectively, increasing institutional innovation, and preparing more knowledgeable health care professionals. Ultimately, the program was designed to demonstrate that embracing diversity and inclusion can bring a broader range of perspectives and backgrounds into our organization, leading to more effective decision-making.
The Office of Equity and Diversity is excited to announce that the inaugural cohort successfully completed the Diversity Certificate Program (DCP). Each of the twenty-five participants received a certificate of completion signed by Chancellor Schwab in a closing ceremony on Tuesday, December 19. This 4-month certificate program’s curriculum builds knowledge, understanding, and application methodologies to address dynamics within a diverse academic health science center. Those who earned the certificate learned about ways in which they can assist and improve their ability to contribute in a manner that is welcoming and inclusive.
For those interested in participating in the Diversity Certificate Program, applications for spring 2018 will be available January 5 – 19, 2018. The application and more information about the program can be found at uthsc.edu/oed/diversitycertificate-program.
Increasingly, diversity and inclusion are becoming strategic business drivers that have a direct impact on organizational 4
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS!
Noma B. Anderson, PhD Special Advisor to the President on Diversity and Inclusion, UT System Professor, Audiology and Speech Pathology, College of Health Professions
C. Todd Barber, MS Director, Front-End Development Information Technology Services
Kathy Barker, PhD
Jonathon L. Berry, JD Compliance Administrator, Institutional Compliance Office Office of Finance and Operations
Bradley Boucher, PharmD, FCCP, FCCM Professor of Clinical Pharmacy Associate Dean, Strategic Initiatives and Operations College of Pharmacy
Charlene Buckley Patient Flow Coordinator, Department of Orthodontics College of Dentistry
Amber N. Carter Communications Coordinator Communications and Marketing
Cassandra Christiansen, EdD, MPA Associate Professor, Department of Dental Hygiene College of Dentistry
Taylor Cupples, MPA Financial Administrator, PPGGI Administrative Core College of Medicine
Marion Donohoe, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC Assistant Professor, Dept. of Health Promotion & Disease Prevention College of Nursing College of Pharmacy
Rhonda Ferguson-Wilkins Family Advocate Counselor Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities
Charlie Folsom, MS Student Success and Recruitment Coordinator College of Nursing
Dawn Havrda, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS Associate Professor Associate Dean for Academic Affairs College of Pharmacy
Michael Hopkins, MA Coordinator, Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Veronica Jones Security Guard UTHSC Campus Police
Research Specialist, Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science College of Pharmacy
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DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS Continued
Helen Lu, MS, MA Recruitment Coordinator, Student Affairs College of Nursing
Dual Matthews Senior Material Control Clerk, Operatory College of Dentistry
Kimberly Moore, MBA Administrative Director, Facilities Administration
Kenneth Nazor, MAR Architect, Architecture and Planning Facilities Administration
K. Michelle Newman Assistant Director, Procurement Services Finance and Operations
Trent Pitts, JD, MA Contracts Administrator, Finance and Operations
Paquita Redmond Administrative Assistant, Department of General Practice Dentistry College of Dentistry
Melody Waller PhD, MSN, RN Assistant Professor, RNBSN Coordinator College of Nursing
Chayla Ward, MPH Family Advocate Counselor Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities
Raymond West Project Manager, Architecture and Planning Facilities Administration
For more information, please contact: Office of Equity and Diversity | 920 Madison Avenue | Suite 825 phone 901.448.2112 | fax 901.448.1120
uthsc.edu/oed 6