CAROL HOLLENSHEAD INSPIRE AWARD WINNERS
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our U-M faculty members and one staff member were honored with the Carol Hollenshead Inspire Award for Excellence in Promoting Equity and Social Change at the 2019 CEW+ Advocacy Symposium. This $1,000 award honors the former CEW+ director’s 20-year tenure at CEW+. Honorees were chosen because, like Carol, they have proven that social change is possible through persistent hard work and demonstrate that one person can make a lasting difference in their communities. Each of the recipients presented a lightning talk about their work at the symposium. Marita R. Inglehart, professor of dentistry, School of Dentistry; and adjunct professor of psychology, LSA presented “Being a solo person in an organization – How to survive and create change.” Inglehart’s teaching of dental and dental hygiene students focuses on educating patient-centered and culturally sensitive future dentalcare providers who appreciate interprofessional collaborations. Her research focuses on the role of psycho-social factors in providing care and increasing access to care for underserved patient populations such as patients from socio-economically disadvantaged, or racial or ethnicminority backgrounds, patients with special health-care needs or those from LGBTQ+ backgrounds. Michelle A. Meade, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Medical School, presented on “Healthcare Disparities Among Individuals with Disabilities – Taking Responsibility for Our Role as Healthcare Providers.” Meade is the principal investigator and director of federally funded interdisciplinary centers focusing on disability issues: the U-M Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center and “Technology Increasing Knowledge: Technology Optimizing Choice,” and the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Investigating Disability
factors and promoting Environmental Access for Healthy Living. Meade also serves as co-chair of the Michigan Medicine Disability Council and as codirector for the U-M Collaboratory for Disability Health. David C. Michener, curator at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, presented on “Seeds and Reconciliation.” Michener’s research addresses understanding the complex crosscultural heritages of ornamental peonies and conserving key living specimens. His work with indigenous seeds in museum collections is an unanticipated intersection of deep engagement with U-M’s Museum Studies Program and an ethical concern with the “voice” of indigenous communities in interpreting native plant collections
transportation and land use planning, stormwater infrastructure, vacant land reuse, and climate change planning efforts, particularly their implications for health. She applies participatory research approaches with diverse partners using a broad methodological toolkit, including photovoice, concept mapping and health impact assessment. Wendy Ann Woods, associate director of the Michigan Community Scholars Program, presented on “Boldness Rules the World: Sustaining Leadership.” The MCSP is a nationally recognized living-learning program at the U-M that focuses on social justice, community service, diversity, and civic engagement. Woods also teaches a seminar for the students in MCSP, is a member of the Association of Black Professionals, Faculty, Administrators,
Left to right: Marita R. Inglehart, Wendy Ann Woods, Natalie Sampson, David C. Michener, Bruce Wilson, husband of Carol Hollenshead, Evelyn Hollenshead, daughter of Carol Hollenshead, and Michelle A. Meade
and landscapes stewarded by the botanical gardens and arboretum. Natalie Sampson, assistant professor of public health at UM-Dearborn, presented on “Sometimes at Odds: Rethinking Output as an EquityFocused Academic.” Sampson teaches courses in environmental health, community organizing, and health promotion. Grounded primarily in southeast Michigan, she studies
and Staff at U-M, and serves on the advisory board for the University Outreach Council. In addition to the lightning talks, each recipient committed to giving a 90-minute workshop throughout the academic year. The intent is to highlight the authentic journeys of social change leaders, spotlighting them as role models for others aspiring to work toward social change.
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