An Inside Look At Multiculturalism Within Baylor Pre-Health
DEFINING MAPS
MulticulturalAssociationofPre-Health Students,orMAPSisastudent-runorganization atBaylorUniversitythatiscommittedto promotingdiversityinthehealthcarefieldaswell asfacilitatingservicelearningopportunitiesto prepareitsmemberstoprovideforthehealthcare needsofindividualsfromvaryingbackgrounds, cultures,andsocioeconomiclevels.Throughour organization,studentsgaininsightsfrommedical experts,engagewithcurrenthealthcareissues,and participateinvolunteering,events,andpanels.We alsoprovidesupportandresourcesfor underrepresentedstudentspursuinghealthcare careers.
Astheworldprogressestowardsagrowingawarenessofthesignificanceofdiversityand inclusion,ourannualpublication,theMOSAIC,standsasatestamenttothepowerofunity amidstdifferences.AswedelveintothelocalcommunityofWaco,ourlivelyBaylorUniversity campus, andthedynamicrealmofhealthcare,weareremindedoftheinvaluable contributionsmadebyindividualsfromallwalksoflife.Throughthelensofdiversity,wegain deeperinsightsintothemultifacetednatureofhumanity,enrichingourunderstandingand fosteringacultureofempathyandacceptance.AttheheartofourendeavorliesMAPS,a studentorganizationdedicatedtoadvocatingfordiversityandcommittedtomeaningful communityservice.Withunwaveringpassion,weinviteyoutoembarkonajourneyof explorationandcelebration,whereeachstoryandperspectiveaddsanewdimensiontoour collectivenarrativeofinclusivityandempowerment.
RIZALIA KLAUSMEYER RIZALIA KLAUSMEYER
IntroducingRizaliaKlausmeyer:ADynamicLeaderinChemistry,Education,and Research
Ourwonderfuladvisor,RizaliaKlausmeyer,isaninfluentialleaderknownforherremarkable achievementsandleadershipwithinandbeyondtheBaylorscientificcommunity.Incrediblydistinguished, Dr.KlausmeyerservesastheDirectorofScienceResearchFellows,aleaderinBaylorWISE(Baylor WomeninScienceandEngineering),andaSeniorLecturerforvarioushigh-levelSTEMcourses.Her influenceextendsbeyondlecturehalls,assheactivelymentorsandinspiresotherstodrivepositivechange. AnaccomplishedBoricuawithaPh.D.fromTexasA&MUniversityandextensiveexperienceinacademia, includingrolesattheUniversityofIllinoisandRohmandHaasTexas,sheisrenownedforher contributionstoundergraduateresearchandthescientificfield.Dr.Klausmeyer'sleadershipand dedicationtoeducationhaveleftanindeliblemarkonbothherstudentsandthescientificandpre-health communityofBaylorandbeyond!
“Keeppushingforward! Yourjourneytobecome doctorsmayhave hurdles,butyour perseveranceandhard workwillpavetheway. RememberIamhereto offercounseland mentorshipwhenever youneedit.Stay confident,stayfocused, andneverdoubtyour abilities.”
ARIYANAEMILE MOSAICCHAIR+EDITOR BIOLOGYMAJOR,CLASSOF24'
MICHELLEBATHOBASELE ARTIST(12-13,23)+EDITOR NEUROSCIENCEMAJOR,CLASSOF26'
ELISA HARRISON
PRESIDENT OF MULTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF PRE-HEALTH STUDENTS
AsthePresidentoftheBaylorUniversitySNMAchapterofMAPS(MulticulturalAssociationofPre-HealthStudents),Elisa Harrison,isagraduatingseniormajoringinBiochemistry,B S, onthePre-Medicinetrack,whoexemplifiesdedicationand leadership Balancingheracademicpursuitswithherroleasapharmacytechnician,sheembodiesresilienceandcommitmentto herfutureinmedicine. Despiteherbusyschedule,sheremainsdeeplyinvolvedinherorganization,ensuringitssuccessthrough herexceptionalleadership.Whethershe'snavigatingthehallsoftheBSBorspendingqualitytimewithfriends,herpassionfor healthcareandcommunityshinesthrough.Underherpresidency,MAPShasthrived,fosteringinclusivityandprovidinginvaluable resourcesforaspiringmedicalprofessionals.
“I THINK MAPS, THE GOAL IS TO BUILD A COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE, LIKE A STUDENT-TO-STUDENT BASIS WITH THEIR ACTUAL CLASSMATES AND PEERS AND UPPERCLASSMEN, UNDERCLASSMEN WHO ARE TRYING TO PURSUE THE SAME GOALS AND BEING COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS AND HAVE MAPS PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR THEM”
Q:Inwhatwaysdoyoubelievepromotingdiversityin healthcarecanimprovepatientoutcomesandaddress healthcaredisparities?
“Forthefirstone,Imean,ofcourse,youknow,promoting diversityandgettingpeopleofallbackgrounds,socioeconomic statusesandethnicbackgrounds,culturalbackgrounds, religiousbackgrounds It'simportantinhealthcarejustbecause we 'reservingtheentirecommunity We'renotservingjusta specificsubsetoftheworld,thecountry,yourcity,whateverit maybe Andso,especiallyfromapatient'sperspective,it'salot morecomforting Obviously,ifyou'recomingtoadoctor, something'swrong.And,youknow,youwantittobeasnotso muchwelcoming,butlikeacomfortableenvironmentwhereyou feelcomfortableenoughtobehelpedandtreated.AndIthink havingphysiciansor,youknow,dentistsorpharmacistsor peoplewholooklikeyou,whoarehelpingyouisabig contributingfactortothatcomfortableness.AndIthinkit alsohelpsestablishaleveloftrustwithinthehealthcare community.Alotoftimesinminoritygroupsor underrepresentedgroups,there'salotofmisconceptionsand stigmasabouthealthcareprofessionalsandalotofmistrust withinthecommunitybecauseofpast...AndIthink,alleviating thatwouldalsoalleviategroups’worriesandmistrustinthe healthcaresystem,whichIthinkistheonlywaytomakethe worldabetterplacemedically.
Q:HowdoesMAPScollaboratewithotherstudent organizationsordepartmentsatBaylortoamplifyits impact?
Sowedoalotofsocialeventsandacademiceventsor,panel eventswherewe'rebringinginmulticulturalphysiciansand lettingthem(students)askandanswerquestions,tellusabout theirstories...Ithinkit'sreallyimportantforstudents, especiallyinundergrad,tojustheardifferentperspectivesand differentpaths.Itcanbereallydiscouragingwhenyou're hearingaboutlike,whatit'sgoingtotaketogetthere...So,I thinkit'simportantforstudentsatthisstage,especially, Toseethat,like,it'sdoableandit'spossibleandit'snotall thesameway.Attheendoftheday,everyoneendsup, becomingaphysicianandgettingtheirdreamasahealthcare professional Multiculturalismisalwaysembeddedinthe thingswedo,butitmaynotnecessarilybeapartora factor,like,attheforefrontofotherorganizations'minds.
[continued]...Andso,justmakingsurethattheyalwaystryandshed lightonthatandeducatethestudentsonthatinthecontextoftheirown endeavorswassomethingthatwetriedtodowithintheotherpre-health ormulticulturalorgs.AndIthinkthat,amplifiedmassimpactjust becauseweareaverybroad-spanningorganization.We,within multiculturalism,wealsowanttomakesurethateveryone's included.Andit'snotjustpre-health,andit'sforeveryone.Andso, wekindoftrytoexpandourhorizonthroughoutallofcampus,justso everyone,everyoneknewoncampusthatthey'rewelcomedin participatinginanythingthatwedo Andthere'salwayssomethingthat wehavethatcouldbenefitanyone,andnotjustaparticulargroup.
Q:AsthePresidentofMAPS,howdoyoudefinediversitywithin thecontextofhealthcare?Andwhatinitiativesdoesyour organizationtaketopromotethis?
“HowdoIdefinediversity?Tome,diversityisnotonlyyouknow acknowledgingdisparitiesincertaingroupsorinwhateverrespective areayou 'relookingat,butalso,youknow,considering..likethe reasontheyareunderrepresented,andthatthereare,alotof backgroundfactorsthatarecontributingtoalackofdiversity. Anduntilthoseareaddressed,thenthediversityissuecan'tbe fixed.AndsoIthinkinourcontextatBaylor,justevenbringingtothe forefrontthelackofdiversityinourhealthcommunities,especiallythe surroundingonesinWaco.Is,youknow,justlikethebiggeststepyou cantakeintryingtofixitinour,youknow,smallmicrocosmofa community.IthinkMAPSreallydoestryto, definitely,embodythe prioritizationofdiversityinhealthcare Wehavemany,manychairsfor that Yeah,thirteen!IthinkourbiggestonesaredefinitelyPipeline, Mosaic,ourCommunityHealthchairs,andourMedicalServicechairs Pipelineinvolveshelpingthekidsandthoseunderservedcommunities andjustlikethatisoneofthewaysthatweworktowardslike supportingthebackgroundpillarsofthereasonswhythereisalackof diversity.Therearemanyofthosechildrenwhoareneverevenexposed tohealthcareprofessions...It'sneverevenbroughttheirattentionthat's somethingtheycoulddo.Inthefuture,it'salwaysjust,youknow,do goodinschool,don'tbebad,anddon'tbebad.Callitaday.SoIthink, exposingthemtothatgivesthechildrenanopportunitytoeven makethedecisionforthemselvesifit'ssomethingtheylike,and hopefullythroughourprogramthroughouttheyears,wehave, youknow,allowedchildrentofindanewpassion,somethingthat theyarewillingtopursueinthefuture,throughouttherestof theirlives.
Q:Doyouhaveanyclosingstatementsorwanttosayanything tothepublication'saudience?
“I'mlike,IamtrulyhonoredandgratefulthatIgottoexperienceMAPS inmyundergradcareer,especiallyallfouryears Itwasdefinitelya shapingexperienceformeandIthinkIwouldnothaveendedup thesamewithoutitinthelongrunaftergraduation.AndIthinkI definitelylearnedmostofmyleadership,myhealthcare,mysocial experiencesallhappenedthroughthisorg AndIreallybuilta,you know,familyeachyear.AndgettingtoknowpeopleandIalwayswish thebesttoMAPS’sfutureendeavors.Andyeah,Iwassohonoredand gratefultogettoserveasthepresidentofanorganizationthatIcherish somuch!
DR.GEOFFREY GRIGGS, ED.D
DIRECTOR OF THE MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS OFFICE AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Dr.Griggsisthe DirectoroftheMulticulturalAffairsOfficeatBaylorUniversity.Inthisposition,heput forwardgreatcontributionsandeffortsalongsidehisteamandcolleaguestopromoteandadvocatefor diversityandinclusiononcampus.Fromtheestablishmentandcontinuanceofnewandtraditional eventsandactivitiesthatcelebratethediversestudentbodyandallitscultureswithin,this encouragementandcelebrationisrecognizedandappreciatedbytheuniversityanditsstudents.Dr. GriggshasalsorecentlyacquiredhisDoctorateinEducationalLeadership,furtheringhisendeavors andpassionsforstudentsandtheirengagementandfulfillmentfromtheircollegeexperiencesby makingmemorablememoriesuntiltheygraduate.Outsidetheoffice,Dr.Griggsisanavidvideogamer, ahusband,afathertotwowonderfulchildren,andtheheadcoachoftheWomen’sClubBasketballteam hereatBaylor!WeappreciateyouDr.Griggsandallyoudo!
Q:WhatdoesDEImeantoyou,andwhyisitimportantfor others,bothminoritiesandthemajority?
“Ilikethesecondpartyouaskedrightthereonhowit’snotjust importantforminoritiesbutthemajorityaswell...Wetalkaboutitasa universitytowherewewanttomakesurewearepreparingall studentsthatattendthisinstitutionforglobalandworldwide leadership,so,ourofficeisprettymuchon“Whatdoesthatlooklike?”, “Howareweequippingyouallwiththeskillsthatarenecessaryforyou tosucceedonceyougetoutofthisinstitution,outofthisBaylor bubble?” Youmayhavethosetimeswhereyou’realluncomfortable, butbeinguncomfortablenow,willhelpyououtmoreonceyougetout intothatrealworldtowhereyou’llbeabletoknowhowtoaddressor dealwiththesedifferentsituations.Wealwaysseethingsthataregoing onatotherinstitutionsinotherplaces,andwetelleverybodyBayloris notexempt,wedohaveourissuesaswell,wedohaveourproblems;but whatarewedoingtoaddressthem?Howarewemakingthingsa betterplaceforallofourstudents?”
Q:HowdoyouadvocateforDEIwithcolleagueswhodon’t understanditsimportance?
“Youknowthat’sveryinterestinghereinouroffice,simply becausepeopleseeMulticulturalAffairsandtheyknowwhat’s coming.Alotofitisjustbeingthatexampleofwhatyou wantothertosee.Itelleverybodyourbestexampleinthe worldisJesus,weseehowhecarriedhimselfwhenhewas here;andwhataredoingtomakesureothersseeHimin us?Constantlyloveourneighbors,supportourneighbors, doingthethingsthataregoingtohelpthembeabetter person. Iunderstandwhyyouhavetobeabletorespect differences,butalsobeabletogrowfromthemandunderstand eachotherandhowwecanworktogetherinthemidstofhaving differentviewpointsofthings.But,mybestthingaboutthatis we,asadults,havetobeabletomirrorthattothestudents,we mustbeabletoshowcasethemwhattheyshouldbedoingasthe adults.“
Q:Whatisthemostimpactfulmomentyou’vesharedwith staff/students,whetherit’sovercomingissues,establishing aninitiative,oraneventappreciatingdiversity?
“OurKenteceremonyisoneofmyfavoriteevents!”-TheKente ceremonyisadistinguishedgraduationeventhonoringstudents ofcolor,whoareadornedwithbespokeKentecloth,symbolizing theirculturalheritageandethnicity Eachstudentselectsa mentortoceremoniallydrapethem,markingadeeply meaningfulcelebrationoftheiracademicjourney!“Butmyhope isthatwe’vealwaysdonesomethinghereinMulticultural Affairswherewehaveleftanimpactonthestudentswherethey wannacomebackforhomecoming,orthey’rejustdriving throughtownandsay“Hey,IjustwannastopbytheMAoffice!”.
Wejustwannahavethoserelationshipsthatlastbeyond thefouryearstheyarehere.Anythingthatwearedoingcan makethatgrowstrongertowheretheyhavethatloveforthe institutionoratleastouroffice.”
“IWOULDENCOURAGE EVERYBODYTOGETINVOLVED WITHMA,ATSOMEPOINTIN TIME,EVENIFYOU’RENOT NECESSARILYINVOLVEDINA
PARTICULARORGANIZATION, PLEASESTOPBYTHEOFFICE.WE LIKETOHANGOUT,WELIKETO TALK,ANDWEAREEXCITEDTO SEEWHATTHEFUTUREHOLDS FORTHISOFFICE,OURSTUDENTS, ANDWHATEVERWECANDO! JUSTSTOPBY,WEAREHERE!”
DR. STEPHEN BRECK REID
VICE PROVOST FOR FACULTY DIVERSITY & BELONGING AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Intherealmofacademia,Dr. StephenBreckReidstandsasa beaconfordiversity,equity,and inclusion(DEI).ServingastheVice ProvostforFacultyDiversityand BelongingatBaylorUniversity, alongsidehisroleasadistinguished ProfessorofChristianScriptures, Dr Reidembodiesacommitment tofosteringanenvironmentwhere allvoicesareheardandvalued. Witharichbackgroundspanning multipledenominationsand academicorganizations,Dr.Reid bringsauniqueperspectivetohis work,ensuringthat underrepresentedfacultyflourish andtheircontributionsare recognized.Hisdedicationto developingtailoreddiversity programmingandfostering collaborationacrossdepartments underscoreshisunwavering commitmenttopromotingequity withintheacademiclandscape. Throughhisscholarlyendeavors andleadership,Dr.Reid exemplifiestheidealsofDEI, makinghimanindispensableasset toBaylorUniversityandatrue trailblazerinthepursuitof inclusiveexcellence.
“HUMAN BEINGS ARE HUMAN BEINGS. WE HAVE THE SAME GENETIC MATERIAL, BUT WE DONT HAVE ACCESS TO THE SAME THINGS...EXCELLENCE SHOULD BE INCLUSIVE.”
Q:Whatmotivatedyoutopursuealeadershiprolein promotingdiversityandbelongingwithinhighereducation?
“That’sagreatquestion IcametoBaylorin08',andIhadbeenat primarilywhiteinstitutionsallmylife,exceptforthetwoyearsI wasatITC Truettwasmyfifthseminary,anditwasthethirdtimeI wasthefirstblackprofessor Andyoujustsortofgettiredofmein thefirst WhileatTruett,Itriedtosupportpeopleofcoloracrossthe universityandthethingstheyweredoing.However,theBaylor ethoswaspublish,publish,teach,teach.SoIdidthingsthat supportedfacultyofcolor..andIfoundthatsomewhatrewarding. WhentheopportunitycameformetogetpaidforwhatIhadbeen doingforfreeandundertheradar,Isaid,ohthatsoundsfun.And indeed,mosteverydayisfuninthisoffice Onefacultymember said,‘Ifeelseenforthefirsttime.’ Yeah,yeah You,youjustlearn whatpeoplewanttodowiththeirlives Andyoufindouthowmany timestheuniversityjustdoesn'tsee,hadn'tseenpeople It'snotthat theuniversitysaid,we'regoingtocloseoureyesandtrynottosee people.It'sjustthat,um,thesocial,themajorityofBaylorstudents andfacultyandstaffaresopreoccupiedwiththeworldviewofthat majoritythattheyjustdon'tspendtimetogettoknowothergroups here.And,youknow,oneofthethingsthatmakesthisworkso greatbecauseIgettogoandtalktopeopleandsay,tellme aboutwhereyoucomefrom,tellmeaboutwhereyou'regoing. Andyou'dbesurprisedthenumberoftimespeoplesay,no one'saskedmethatquestionbefore.Noone'spaidattentionto howIgetfromhereandmyaspirationstothere.Andso,thisisa greatjob Now,itisalittlebitdifficult,becausesometimespeople aresocaughtupintheBaylorbubbleasthoughthere'snothing beyondtheBaylorbubble.Andthatgetsfrustratingbutthatgot frustratingwhenIwasaprofessorandtheydidn'tpaymetopay attention.
Soitsagood,goodthing.Lastyear,wehadduringBlackHistory Month,wehadapaneldiscussionofAfricanprofessorsatBaylor. Mostpeopledidn’tknowwehadAfricanprofessorsatBaylor. TheyassumedeveryblackfaceatBaylorwasAfrican AmericanandhadcomealongheritageintheMiddlePassage. NoideahowmanyfolksmigratedtotheUnitedStatesinthe20th century.Thatisasubstantialnumberoffolks.Itsamajorpartofthe blackcommunitytoday.Andsotobeabletohaveapanellikethat andhavepeople,wedidn’tknow,wasjustagreatthing.”
Q:Asamanoffaith,canyousharehowyourfaithor spiritualbeliefshaveshapedyourperspectiveondiversity andacceptanceofothers?
“Wonderfulquestion,youhavegreatquestions Manyuniversities havepositionsondiversitybecausetheEnlightenmentandtheir civilrightsexperiencetoldthemtheyoughtto AtBaylor,theNew Testamenttellsusthattheworldisbiggerthananyone culture.AndaswethinkabouttheBookofActs,theBookofActs remindsustherewerethesegroupsofChristfollowerstryingto figureout‘HowcanIbeaChristfollower’andbeJewish,orbe African,orbeGreek.Differentidentities.WhohadChristasthe commonthing.Andso,Icomeatdiversitysaying,earlyChristianity saysthatweshouldpayattentiontoourcore Sociallocationsand payattentiontoourcommonfaith Andsothat’swhatwespendalot oftimedoing
Q:WhatdoesDEImeantoyou?Andwhyisitimportant forothers,bothminoritiesandthemajority?
“Twothings DEImeansforme,wepayattentionto disparities.Humanbeingsarehumanbeings Youlookat DNA,DNAisbasicallythesame Sociallocationschange,but thecoreDNAisverymuchthesame Weallhavethesame geneticmaterial Ifweallhavethesamegeneticmaterial,then Iwouldthinkwewouldallhaveaccesstothesamething. Well,itjustturnsoutthatno,that’snotthecase.Wehave thesamegeneticmaterial,butwedon’thaveaccesstothe samethings.Weshouldhavestrategiestoovercomethe disparities...Westartedtoseethatgenerationalwealthisone ofthedisparities Socialconstruction,thesocialconstructionof racehelpsdesignate,okay,thesefolks,we’renotgoingtohave asmuchastheseotherfolksbecausetheyarethesefolks For instance,oneofthebiggestchallengesforBaylorisBaylorwas builtasacollegeforplantationfolks Forfolkswhoown plantations,anditwasbuiltonplantationeconomy.Oneofthe challengesforBaylorinthe21stcenturyishowtomove forwardwithoutcontinuingplantationeconomy.Oneofthe thingsI,oneofthethingswelearned,goodness,abouta quarterofacenturyago,asweweredoingstudiesonstudent debtintheologicalschools.Oneofthethingstheydiscovered wasdisproportionatelyunderrepresentedminoritieshavealot morestudentdebt Andwhatwasnewlanguageformeisthey saidstudentswhobringgenerationalwealthdonothaveas muchstudentdebt Ihadneverheardofgenerationalwealth before.Butloandbehold,aspeopletalkabouthavingowned property,sometimeshavingownedpeople,thenloandbehold, theygetwealthierandwealthierandwealthier.Atthatpoint you 'vegotgenerationalwealth,andgenerationalwealthlets youhavemorewealth.Inraceeducation,oneofthethingsthey haveyoudoistheyhaveyouplayMonopoly.Andyoustartthe Monopolygame Andthen,whenpeopleareaboutanhourinto Monopoly,it'sanawfullylonggame It'sverylong Whenyou're aboutanhourin,thenpeoplegettojoinin Andtheyfindthat allthebestpropertiesarealreadycovered Andthetrainerwill say,thinkofitthisway,youdidn'tgettoplaythegameuntil afterthecivilrightsmovement.Andyou'rewonderingwhy there'saneconomicdisparitywhenyouhavefolkswhostarted playingthegamein1619,andnowin1970,youhaveother peoplejoiningthegame.Nowonderthere'sadisparity. Centuriesofexperienceforthem.Yes,andsothechallenge ishowdowecomeupwithequitablesystemstoreallypay attentiontohowwecanremediatethedisparity So,DEIisaboutpayingattentiontowhatfolksneedtobe abletoact. Italsopaysattentiontohowpeopleare different.Partofwhat,oftenwhenpeoplesayDEI,they keepfocusingonrace,ethnicity,andsex.DEIalsopays attentionto,uh,disability.Ifyouarehearingimpairedor visuallyimpaired,Oryouhavemobilityissues.That doesn'tmeanthatyoushouldnothaveaccess.Butit meanstheinstitution'sgottopayattentiontothat.In waystheinstitutionoftendoesn'tnotice.
[continued] SowehaveanOLA,whichhelpsuspayattentionso thatstudentsdon'thavetosay,Oh,I'malowvisionperson. Therefore,Idon'thaveaccesstohighereducation.Thatshouldn't be.Shouldn'tbethecase.Andsowehavetoadapt. Now,if someonesays,IcomefromacultureandIhavenotreadJonathan SwiftorJaneAusten,thatshouldnotmeanthattheyhavenoaccess tohighereducation Justmeansyouhavetocomeupwithastrategy ofgettingthatdone That’swhatitis Toincorporatethemintoit Now,whyisitforeveryone?YougetfolkswhocometoBaylor,and oftenthey’velivedinprettysequestered,I’mnotgoingtosay segregated,butsequesteredcommunities Andtheydon’trealize thatnoteverybodygoestoHEBtobuystuff. No,that’snot everyone’sworld.Andso,whenyougetdifferentways, differentpeoplegroups,thenstudentsandfacultygettohear storiesthattheyhadn’theard.Theygettoseepracticesthat theyhadn’theard.Andnowtheyhaveanopportunitytosay,oh, therearemultiplewaysofdoingthis Wecanchoosethisorthis But toomanyofourstudents,faculty,andstaffcomefromplaceswhere theythinkallofthatstuffisalreadynaileddown So,that's,that's whatitmeans,anditdoesworkforthebenefitofallstudents Letme doonemorethinghere
ThefutureoftheworldandthefutureofTheUnitedStatesis dependentonmeetingprettyserioustechnologicalandtechnical problems.Wecannotaffordtohave,oneofthethingsthatthe provostsays,wecan'taffordtolettalentgowasted.Andpartof diversitysays,we'regoingtofindtalentedpeople,whereverthey are.Andwe'regoingtoencouragethemtothinkaboutthecore challengesofhumanitytoday Whetheritbehunger,immigration, safety,health,allofthosethingswe'regoingtopayattentionto And we 'renotgoingtosay,wellifyoudidn'tgotothisschool,we'renot goingtolistentoyou Becausethat'saluxurythatwecanno longeraffordasaculture.
Q:Howdoyouenvisionyourroleastheviceprovostfor facultyanddiversityevolvingovertime?Andwhatlongtermgoalswouldyouprioritizeforpromotinginclusive excellencewithinthecollege?
“Excellencewithinthecollege That'stheeasierway Um,Ilook forwardtothisweekwe'recelebratingtheinductionofanumberof folksintoPhiBetaKappa PhiBetaKappaismuchmorediverse thanitusedtobe AndIlookforwardtoPhiBetaKappabeingmore diverseinthefuture.TheBegnierScholars,adiversegroupoffolks. Ifwe'regoingtomakestridesinSTEM,everybody'sgottobe onboard.Everybody'sgottohaveanopportunity.Whetheryou wenttoasmallhighschoolthatdidn'thaveaSTEMprogram.A remarkablyexpensivemicroscope,orwhetheryouwenttothemost luxurioushighschool.Yououghttohaveachancetobeinthe medicalprofession Itshouldn'tdependon,well,we'redoctorsfor thelastthreegenerations No Weneedthebestminds Butthat meanswe 'vegottocomeupwithastrategy Thatthosefolkswho havenotbeenplayingMonopolyforalongtimestillgettocatchup andgettoplay.
[continued] Sooneofmygoalsisthataswelookat,let'stake somethingjustasmundaneasDFWs.Drops,fails,andwithdrawals. ThatthedisparitybasedonURAMorFirstGen.goesaway,andthat thosenumbersarethesameacrosstheboardandacrosssocial locations,thatwouldbeawin.Ifthestudentbodyandthefaculty starttolookliketheworld,starttolooklikeTexas,thatwouldbea win Currently,inthestateofTexas,40percentoffolksinTexasare ofLatinorigin Sixteenpercentofthestudentbody
Interviewer:That’salot.
“Oh,sixteen,no,whenyouthinkabouteightypercent,it’snot.The AfricanandAfricanAmericancommunity,reallysmallpercentage. WhenyouthinkabouthowmanyAfricansthereare,Africanand AfricanAmericanfolksthereare.Intheworld,thatpercentageisa lothigherthanthepercentagehereonBaylor'scampus.SoI'dlike aBaylorthatlooksalotmoreliketheworld.Andsowe'regoing tohavefolksherewithlotsofdifferentlanguages,fromlotsof differentplaces,wrestlingwiththequestionsofhowdowebuilda goodeconomy?Howdowebuildanartformthatpaysattentionto everybody'sstory Notjustsomestories,buteverybody'sstories So thoseare,thosearesomeofthemetrics.AndI'dliketosee,doour fullprofessorsrepresenttheworld?Oraretheyjustasliceofthe world?Twentyyearsagotheywereasliceoftheworld.I'dlike twentyyearsforwardforthem,fortheirdemographicstolooklike thedemographics.That'sinteresting.Ithinkthat'sagreatgoal.
Q:Whatadvicewouldyougivethestudentsandfacultyon campuswhostruggletofindasenseofbelongingoverher? Whatresourcesareavailabletothemtohelpnavigatethat? “Uh,theresourcesarehere,andtheresourcesaresecret Oh Okay They'renotsecretbecauseanyoneistryingtokeepthemsecret. They'resecretbecauseeverybodythinkseverybodyelse knowsthesecretthattheydon't. Thefirstinline,firstgeneration stuff,therearenotenoughfirst-genfolkswho,despitethe university'sbestefforts,notenoughfirst-genfolksreallyusethose resources.Whenitcomestoretention,theuniversitywouldmove heavenandearthtogetthatretentionnumberhigher Buta numberofpeopleleavewithouteverevenasking,whatarethe resourcesthatcanhelpmeretainandflourishhere?Sopartofitis justlettingfolksknowtheresourcesthatwealreadyhave Andso that'soneofthebigpieces.Baylorisaschoolofmeans.Godhas givenusremarkableresources.Baylorcan'tsay,well,wecan't affordtodothis.Imean,that'sjustnotevenserious.However,and Bayloroftendoesn'tsaywecan'taffordit.Orusuallywhentheysay wecan'taffordit,that'sjustapushingtechnique.Baylorcanafford anythingBaylorthinksGodhascalledustodo.Sothe challengeistohelpfolksknowwhatGodhascalledustodo.So wecanbeamorediversecommunity.Wejusthavegotto makeclearthatthatisadivinemandateandwe'vegottopay attentiontothat.Otherwise,folkswillsay,well,that'san expensiveflourish.Wedon'tneedtodothat.
[continued] I'mnothearingthataroundhere,butwhenwestart lookingonceagain,ifwestartlookingatourFulbrights,ourPhi BetaKappas,ourfolksgoingontomedschool,goingontolaw school,goingontoseminary.Andasthatstartstolookmoreand morelikeTexas,theUnitedStatesandtheworld,thenwe'remaking progress.Sothatexcellence.Excellenceisnotcultural,inthe narrowsenseoftheword,thatonlysomepeoplegettodoit Excellenceshouldbeinclusive.Andifwearereallyabout inclusiveexcellence,thenwe'rehelpingfolksgettowheretheyneed tobe Whetherwe'retalking,IthinkMauriceAshleyhasanewbook, MovebyMove FirstAfricanAmerican,uh,Grandmasterofchess Hedidn'tknowaboutchessuntilhewasaboutnineortwelve.But oncehe,oncehelearned,hekeptlearning.Andhekeptlearning. That'swhat,that'swhatBaylorshouldbeabout.Nomatterwhere youcomefrom.Nomatterhowdestituteyoumaybe.No matterwhatyourlanguagegroup.Baylorshouldbeaplace whereyoucancomeandgototherestoftheworld.
Q:Anyhobbiesthatyou’reabletofitinbetweenallofthat? “Anywhat?Hobbies?Hahahahahaha!Um,No,I'mnotrealgood withhobbies.Um,yeah,Imean,Ilovetowork,andIspendmostof mytimedoingthework.Justdoingthework.That'sfair.IfI'mlucky, Igettodosomewritingandsomestuffin,myresearcharea,which isPsalms.That'sjustifI'mlucky.Igottamakesure.I'drathersay thatwehavemorefullprofessors,morewomenfaculty,attheendof mytime,thanthatIpublishfivearticles Priorities,okay So,yeah,I dohavehobbies I,youknow,Iliketocook Iusedtoliketowatch television I'mstilltryingtolearnhowtoplaythepiano Um,but fromthemomentIwakeupuntilabout5or6,I'mthinkingabout thisjob.Igohome,Ieat,I'mreadingaboutthingsthathelpmedo thisjobbetter.ThenIfallasleep,thenIwakeupandstart.Start again.Startagain.So,yeah,I'mnotagoodmodelforwork-life balance.ButIwillencourageeveryfacultymembertohavea work-lifebalance.AsI'vesaid,thegoalofeveryblackfaculty member,mygoalforeveryfacultymember,especiallyeveryURM facultymember,isthattheylivelongenoughtobeanoldURM facultymember Becausetherearetoomanythingsthatwouldkill usoff Andsowork-lifebalanceis,isimportantevenifIdon'tmodel it ”
Az Greetings from UA Dominican Republic
This2024SpringBreak MAPSandthePre-PA society venturedona missiontriplikenoother! Theirtransformative experiencegoesbeyondthe confinesoftraditional learning,andofferedstudents thechancetostepintothe shoesoflocalphysicians andwitnessfirsthandthe innerworkingsofthe Dominicanhealthcare system. Enablingthemto shadowdedicatedhealthcare professionals,andgain invaluableinsightsintothe intricaciesofmedicalpractice inaresource-limitedsetting.
Butthismissionwasabout morethanjustclinical observation itwasabout forgingconnectionsand makingalastingimpact. PartneringwithOneMore Child,anorganization dedicatedtoproviding Christ-centeredcareto vulnerablechildrenand families,students hadthe opportunitytoextendtheir reachbeyondtheclinicwalls. Whetherit'slendingahelping handatalocalorphanageor sharingmomentsofjoywith childreninneed,every interactionbecamea testamenttothepowerof compassionandservice.
Throughthiscollaborative effort,studentsnotonly expandedtheirmedical knowledgebutalso cultivatedempathy, resilience,andadeeper understandingoftheworld aroundthem.Asthey navigatedthechallengesand triumphsofhealthcare deliveryinanewcultural context,theyemergednot onlyasskilledhealthcare professionalsbutas compassionateglobalcitizens readytomakeadifference wherevertheirjourneymay takethem.
LAUREN FREEMAN
ALUMNA OF BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
PSYCHOLOGY B.S., MINOR IN FRENCH *
MeetLaurenFreeman,adistinguishedalumnaofBaylorUniversitywhoiscurrentlyembarkingonanacademic pursuittoacquireaMaster’sinPublicHealth.LaurenisfromthevibrantcityofNashville,Tennessee,bringinga dynamicblendofacademicprowessandcommunityengagementtoherpursuitshereinTexas!AsasisteroftheRho
EtachapterofDeltaSigmaThetaSorority,Inc.,shehasexemplifiedacommitmenttoserviceandleadershipon campus.Now,asshedelvesintohermaster'sstudiesinpublichealth,Lauren'spassionforaddressingcriticalhealth disparitiestakescenterstage.HercurrentresearchfocusonmaternalmortalityamongBlackwomenunderscores herdedicationtoadvocatingformarginalizedcommunitiesanddrivingmeaningfulchangeinhealthcaresystems.
Withaferventdesiretomakeatangibleimpact,sheexemplifiesresilienceandadvocacyinhercommitmentto advancinghealthequityandsocialjustice.
“HAVING THAT MINDSET OF SOMETIMES THINGS NEED TO CHANGE, AND I [YOU] CAN MAKE A CHANGE”
Q:WhatdoesDEImeantoyou?And,whyisitimportant forothers,bothminoritiesandthemajority? Ithinkit’simportanttobeintentionalaboutbeinginclusiveof everyone Ithinksometimeswejustassumethatthingsare ooodjustbecausethemajorityistypicallythewhitepopulation And,so,justthingsarecateredtowardsthemnaturally when youhavestudentsofcolorinthoseenvironments,youhaveto havethingsinplacemakethemfeelseenandallowthemtohave thespacetohavetheirvoicesheard,andhavetheirideasput outthere,andhavetheirskillsandtalentsbedeveloped,and youknow,havethechancetomakeadifferenceintheworld, andnotfeellikethey'reovershadowedbyotherpeople....We havetobeintentional.Wehavetobeinclusive,andjust workon,youknow,helpingeveryoneworktogetherand learndifferentthingsabouteachother.Learnhowtobe kind,berespectful,andlearningaboutothercultures,but alsomaintainproperboundaries.
Q:Howhasbeingamemberof theD9organization,the RhoEtachapteroftheDeltaSigmaThetasorority, influencedyourexperienceatBaylor?
So,beingamemberoftheRhoEtachapterofDeltaSigmaTheta sororityhasbeensuchawonderfulexperienceforme WhenI cametoBaylor,Ididn'thavealotoffriendswholookedlikeme, andthatmadeitdifficultduringmytransitionfromhighschool tocollege Andbeingapartofthisorganization ourmain principlesaresisterhood,scholarship,andservice.Andso, sisterhoodissoimportantbecauseyouwanttohavethat communityofpeoplearoundyouwhoaregoingthroughthe samethings,whounderstandwhereyou'recomingfrom.And youknow,everyoneiskind,youknow,everyonecanbe kind.Theycanbeempathetic,butyoucanonlydosomuch ifyoudon'tunderstandwhereanotherpersonhascome fromorwhatthey'recurrentlygoingthrough Andso,being apartofthissisterhoodhasbeensowonderful,anditmakesme feelcomfortableinwhoIam Andit'sjustsofuntoservein theWacocommunityalongsidemysisters.Andespeciallywith ourmission,weareintentionalaboutservingtheBlack community.Andso,likeIsaid,again,thatcanbeoverlooked sometimes.Andso,justwithinWaco,it'sbeensuchablessing tobeabletoserveothersalongsidemysisterswhoIloveso dearly.
Q:AsamemberofBaylor’sHonorCollege,youhadto writeathesisaboutatopicofyourchoiceanddefendit. Canyoutellmealittlebitaboutyourresearchandyour motivationsbehindit?
Yeah,soItitledmythesis,“ExaminingtheDisparity:Black WomenandMaternalMortality”.AndIessentiallyjustwanted toexplorethereasonbehindthesehighratesofblackwomen dyingduringchildbirth,afterchildbirth,inthemidst,literally atanypointofthatexperience,justexperiencingphysical complications,mentalhealthissues
[continued]..Inourcountrytheseratesarehigherthan anyotherethnicgroup,andtheyarenotdecreasing. OneofthemainthingsIlookedintowasthesystemicracism that,ofcourse,wehavetotakeintoaccountjustduetothe historyofourcountry,andthefactthatnothingwasfor everyoneatonepoint.Andso,healthcarehasgrown exponentiallyovertheyears,buttherearestillissuesthat areseenwithinthesystemandespeciallyimplicitbiases thatmightbepresentincurrenthealthcare professionalstoday Iwasmotivatedtowriteaboutitjust becausemymomhadakindofsimilarexperiencewhenshe waspregnantwithmyyoungerbrother Andsheexperienced notreallybeingheardbythenursewhowastakingcareof herandendedupbeinginalotofpainuntilsomeonewould listentoherandhelpherout.Andso,notonlyherstory,butI heardplentyothers,evenoneoftheprofessorsonmydefense committee.Hehadaclosefriendwhopassedafewyearsago duringchildbirthbecausetherewasanunderlyingissue,and theydidn'taddressit.Andso,justseeingthatweseeso manywomendyingfromthis,it'snotokay.
Q:Whatarespecificchangesandimplementationsof DEIwouldyouliketoseeinthehealthcaresystem? Justbeingintentional...makingsurethateveryperson, everyindividualiscaredfor.AndIdothinkthatalotof a bigissuerightnowisalotofhospitalsareoverflowing. There'ssomanypatients,anddoctorsfeelliketheyhaveto seethemquickly,getthemout.Evenprimarycarephysicians feelingburntoutbecausetheyjusthavesomanypatients thattheyhavetoseeinaday Andso,it'salmostbecoming likeachecklistof There'ssomanypatients,anddoctorsfeel liketheyhavetoseethemquickly,getthemout Andso,it's almostbecominglikeachecklistofisitreallyimportant?And justthekindnessofhealthcareprofessionals Ithinkjust beinghumbletooandknowingthatsometimesthings needtochangeevenifyoudon'trealizeit.Andso,Ithink thatsomecurrenthealthcareprofessionalsmightthink they'vebeenpracticingformanyyearsandeverything's perfect.Everything'sfine.Andso,justhavingthatmindsetof sometimesthingsneedtochange,andIcanmakea change.Icanaddressthisindividual,differentlybasedon theirbackground.IcanthinkaboutifI'mgoingintothis waitingroomwithacertainbiasinmymindaboutthe patientthatI'mabouttosee.Andso,justyeah,thosearethe changes.
DR. OLUWAROTIMI ADESINA, MD
ORTHOPEDIC SPORTS SPECIALIST AT ASCENSION PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL, ASSOCIATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR THE SPORTS MEDICINE FELLOWSHIP AT WACO FAMILY MEDICINE
Dr.Adesina,afirst-generationAmericanborntoNigerianparentsinIndiana,haslivedinvarious countriesincludingIndia,Mali,IvoryCoast,Cameroon,andZimbabwe,enrichinghisglobal perspective.AfterreturningtotheU.S.forhighschool,hepursuedhighereducationatFranklin& MarshallCollege,RossUniversitySchoolofMedicine,andcompletedhisresidencyandfellowshipin Philadelphia.NowapediatricsportsmedicinespecialistinWaco,Texas,Dr.Adesinacombineshis passionforhealthcarewithteachingrolesatBaylorUniversityandMcLeanChildren'sMedical Center.Alongsidehiswifeandthreechildren,heenjoyslifeinWaco,embracingthevibrant communityandcontributingtoitsdiversityandinclusion.
Q:Whatwouldyousayareyourgoals forcontinuedprofessionalgrowthas wellasdevelopmentinyourcareeras adoctor?
“Ihaveonebiggoal.Iwanttoeventuallybe theprogramdirectorforPediatricSports MedicineFellowshipProgram thereare notmanypediatricsportsmedicine physiciansinthecountry And,I definitelywanttobepartofthepushto putoutmoreintothecommunities. TheotherthingthatIreallywanttoalso doisbeheavilyinvolvedineducationfor particularlypediatricianswithin orthopedicsandsportsmedicine The professionalassociations,I'mapartof,we recognizethere'sabigknowledgegap. So that'swhyIreallyspendalotoftimeand energywiththePedsresidentsatTemple andMcLaneChildren's Oneofmyfriends isalsoaPedssportsphysiciandownthere, andbothherandI togetheractuallyare workingontheQIprojecttoreallyshow, like,theimprovementsthatwe'regoingto trytodointermsoftheknowledgebase withtheresidents Thosearetwobig thingsforme,forsure,professionally “
Q: Howdoyoubelievediversityand inclusioncontributetoproviding qualityhealthcaretopatients?
“Theonethingthatwedonotice anecdotally,butalsothedatashowsthat patientoutcomesimprovewhenthe physicianforthemedicalcommunity thattakescareofthemclosely resemblesthem.Forme,Ithinkthatat leastwhenIwalkintoaroom,particularly with,likemyblackpatients, Idefinitely find,like,thereisagreaterdesireto actuallywantto,like,hearwhatissaid andto,like,tolisten Butthenontheflip side,Ialsohavetodealwiththefactthat sometimes,like,otherpatientsdon't necessarilywanttolistento recommendationsbasedonhowIlookand stufflikethat
[continued] So,that'spartofthereason whyIpersonallydomentoringfordifferent minoritystudentswhoareundergrads goingintomedicine.Therearen'tmanyof us,sothoseofuswhomadeithavetobe theonestohelpguidethosethatcome behindus,becauseitisabigneed,andit's somethingthatIfeelhasimproved somewhat,butdefinitelyhasalotmoreto come. “
Q:Whatdoyoubelievearethebiggest challengesandopportunitiesfor promotingdiversityinhealthcare today?
“Whatareourbiggestchallenges?Well, unfortunately,Ithinknowoneofthe biggestchallenges,it'saconsequenceofthe currentpoliticalenvironmentwe'rein, wherethemotivationsbehindDEI Initiatives,Ilike100percentsupported thoseliketheydefinitelyneededto happen.Unfortunately,they'vemorphed... alotofpeoplehavetheseverystrong opinionsagainstitthatare,youknow, misguidedandbasedininformation misinformation Sounfortunately,Ithink theconsequencethatwe'regoingtoseeis thatasYouknow,differentstatesand governmentofficialspushtocloseDEI officesandanyDEIinitiativesand,you know,universities,professionalschools,all thosethingslikethe,theconsequenceis goingtobe,we'regoingtonoticeahuge dropoffinminority it'slikeifItalkabout medicinelikeno,Idon'tdomedical students,whichisunfortunate,Ithink overallthespecial,theprofession,will sufferforit,um,it'sgoingtobeyears beforewelookbackandrecognizehow muchofamistakeitwastodothat.So that'sunfortunatelywhereIseethisgoing overthenext,like,youknow,10,20years.“
Q:Whatadvicewouldyougive studentsaspiringtobedoctorsand alsobelongtoaminoritygroup?
“IguessIwouldsay,youknow,theadviceI giveallstudentswhoaspiretobecome physiciansisreallyknowwhatyourwhyis andIsaythatbecauseit'samarathon,nota sprintandthere’sgonnabemultipletimes duringthejourneywhereyouaregoingto wanttoquit,whereyou'regonnaquestion whyyou'redoingthis.Sowhateverthat whyisneedstobesomethingthatgrounds Peoplewilltrytodelegitimizeyour success basedonwhoyouare So,the assumptionbeingthat,youknow,oh,like you 'reanaffirmativeaction. Youknow, admititorlikethey'redoingthisto increasediversityandit'slikenolikeyou're thereonmeritandyouownthatand remindpeopleofthat.Okay,butdon'tlet thatbesomethingthatcausesyoutodoubt yourself, I'llspeakformyself Idon'tknow ifyouexperiencethisbutyouknowmanyof youknowinalotofspaces,like,Ihaveto fightmyimpostersyndrome,whereit's like,Idon'tactuallyreallybelonghere Like,mywifeandItalkaboutthisallthe time,like,webothhavetodealwiththat Thenyoucheckyourself,it'slike,no,I actually,Iabsolutelydobelonghere. Infact,insomespaces,I'mthemost educatedpersoninthatspace.So,don't allowsociety'sbiastoundermineyourown thoughtsonyourabilitiesandthenalso reallytrytoactivelyseekoutother professionalsinthefieldthatyou'rein toserveasmentors foryou.Theadvice thattheycangiveisjustgoingtobe different It'snottosaythatotherpeople can'tbegreatmentors,butthereis somethingthat'sdifferent,differentcoming fromsomebodywholookslikeyou,whohas gonethroughverysimilarexperiencesas youdoincareerlater.Whenyousitdown, whenyousaysomethinglike,Ihave impostersyndromebecauseI'minmy medicalschoolclassandI'mtheonlyblack kid,theywillunderstandthat
THANK YOU!THANK YOU!
Inclosing,weextendourdeepestappreciationtotheseremarkable individualsandtheirendeavorsandcontributions.Additionally,we wouldliketohighlightourstudentmembersoftheMulticultural AssociationofPre-HealthStudents(MAPS),whohavetirelessly championeddiversityandservicewithintheBaylorUniversity campusandthroughoutthelocalcommunity.Theirunwavering commitmenttopromotinginclusivity,fosteringcultural understanding,andservingtheunderservedhasleftanimpactonour collectiveconsciousness.Aswecelebratetheirinvaluable contributions,weareremindedofthetransformativepowerof student-ledinitiativesincreatingamorediverseandequitablesociety. Toallourintervieweesandcontributors,weexpressoursincerest gratitudeforsharingyourstories,insights,andpassionswithus!Your dedicationinspiresustocontinuestrivingforafuturewhereevery voiceisheard,everyperspectiveisvalued,andeveryindividualhasthe opportunitytothrive.Together,letuscontinuetowalkthepathof diversity,service,andprogress,knowingthatourcollectiveefforts willshapeabrightertomorrowforgenerationstocome!
