DIVERSITY MATTERS
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2020
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Title IX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Hispanic Heritage Month. . . . . . . . . . . 2 Social Justice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Diversity Passport Program. . . . . . . . . 3 D & I Workshops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Constitution Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 NDVAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 NDEAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 SJDSR Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Mukta Panda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 DIAC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 D & I Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Clarifying Concepts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Religious Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
OFFICE OF EQUITY AND DIVERSITY TEAM uthsc.edu/oed/staff Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP Assistant Vice Chancellor/CDO Olivia Ralph, JD Compliance Officer Dominique Crockett, MHA Associate Assurance Consultant Tiffinie Snowden Inclusion and Engagement Coordinator Isabella Porcaro, MA Administrative Aide
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.
NEW TITLE IX REGULATIONS: EFFECTIVE AUGUST 14, 2020
On August 14, 2020, new Title IX regulations, which govern how educational institutions address incidents of misconduct under Title IX, were implemented on college and university campuses across the country. The new regulations from the United States Department of Education redefined sexual harassment in addition to changing the investigation, hearing, and grievance processes. Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Michael Alston, held campus Title IX Policy Town Hall sessions from August 18–26 to discuss the new policy with the UTHSC community. According to the new regulations, to be considered Title IX Prohibited conduct, the incident must violate one of the following; (1) An employee of the University conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the University on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct; (2) Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s education program or activity; or (3) Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking. Additionally, the incident must occur within the school’s educational program or activity, and within the United States. Formal complaints that fit the criteria of Title IX Prohibited Conduct will now include a live hearing process. As a result of the new regulations, substantial changes were made to UTHSC policies and procedures. Incidents that qualify and do not qualify as Title IX Prohibited Conduct will be addressed according to the university’s Policy on Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking. Additional information regarding Title IX be found on the Office of Equity and Diversity web page.
NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH Many Hispanic Americans trace their roots to the cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Americas -- including the Arawaks (Puerto Rico), the Aztecs (Mexico), the Incas (South America), the Maya (Central America), and the Tainos (in Cuba, Puerto Rico and other places). Some trace their roots to the Spanish explorers – who in the 1400s set out to find an easier and less costly way to trade with the Indies. Other Latinos trace their roots to the Africans who were brought as slaves to the New World. Today, the term Hispanic or Latino, refers to Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race. On the 2010 Census form, people of Spanish, Hispanic and/or Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or "another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin." During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) we recognize the contributions made and the important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate their heritage and culture. Hispanic Heritage Month, with roots back to 1968, begins each year on September 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period and Columbus Day (DĂa de la Raza) is October 12. Share in this special annual tribute by learning and celebrating the generations of Hispanic and Latino Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society. Join OED and Dr. Luisa Ramirez de Lynch for a Spanish language workshop:
OCTOBER 13, 2020 | 12:00 PM | ZOOM Register Here Adapted from hispanicamericanheritagemonth.org
SOCIAL JUSTICE IN HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP AWARD NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Earlier this year the Offices of Equity and Diversity and Graduate Medical Education established the Social Justice in Healthcare Leadership Award to highlight dedicated residents and fellows who have made a commitment to be leaders in both the healthcare industry and social justice efforts. Aiming to equitably recognize the residents and fellows in Nashville, Jackson, Chattanooga, and Knoxville in addition to Memphis, we are awarding trainees from each designated campus. This statewide effort ensures that a variety of social issues are addressed through the endeavors of the trainees who work with them. Representatives from each location have been hand-picked to serve on the nomination committees with special attention paid to faculty and staff members who have themselves made a commitment towards diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. We are excited to have the chance to formally recognize and express gratitude to those individuals who have intertwined their education and career with helping to establish a socially just campus and society through the work they do for patients and beyond. 2
DIVERSITY MATTERS
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2020
The Diversity Passport Program began accepting applications for the 2020-21 academic on September 16th. The program, like much around us, has been formatted to be conducted within university and local guidelines. Courses will be offered via Zoom synchronously and virtual activities will dominate the program to ensure the safety of our participants. Exciting collaborations with the Young Professionals Group and other local establishments will be included. Participants will be eligible for a certificate of completion upon successfully meeting the program requirements. Participants will get a chance to work at a pace that is most convenient to them for non-scheduled activities starting October 12,2020 until April 2, 2021. Employees will also be eligible for HR128 credit for applicable courses and workshops. For more information visit: uthsc.edu/oed/diversity-passport/index.php
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION WORKSHOPS On Thursday, July 15, the Office of Equity and Diversity delivered its second installment of diversity and inclusion workshops/lectures for trainees and faculty in the College of Medicine’s Department of Surgery located in Memphis. Offerings are based on content included in the Diversity Certificate Program (DCP), created by OED, which cover essential topics regarding recognizing, addressing and minimizing bias as well as suggestions for navigating a diverse environment. The Department of Surgery will have its third Grand Rounds workshop/lecture on Wednesday, October 21, titled ‘C.R.E.A.T.E: A Guide to Practicing Cultural Humility’ delivered via Zoom. OED is confirmed to deliver three diversity and inclusion workshops/lectures for the Dermatology Grand Rounds with Department of Dermatology residents and faculty. On Friday, August 28, via Zoom, OED staff offered ‘Diversity and Inclusion Literacy’ to be followed by ‘Implicit Bias: Why, When, and How’ on Friday, October 23. The final of the three offerings for Dermatology Grand Rounds will address cultural humility with a focus on healthcare.
CONSTITUTION DAY Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is observed each year on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and “recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.” This commemoration had its origin in 1940, when Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing and requesting the President to designate the third Sunday in May as “I Am An American Day.” In 1952 the date was moved to September 17 to commemorate “the formation and signing, on September 17, 1787, of the Constitution of the United States.” This law urged civil and educational authorities of states, counties, cities and towns to make plans for the proper observance of the day and “for the complete instruction of citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States and of the State and locality in which they reside.”
Lastly, OED is now offering a virtual adaptation of the face to face Diversity Certificate Program as the campus manages the new normal of working remotely in response to COVID-19. There are now two individual DCP cohorts running this fall in which orientation for Cohort A was Tuesday, September 8, and orientation will be Monday, October 9, for Cohort B. This time around we have students, trainees, staff, and faculty across several UTHSC locations who will participate via Zoom.
In 2004 under Senator Byrd's urging, Congress changed the designation of this day to "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day" and added two new requirements in the commemoration of this Day. The first is that the head of every federal agency provide each employee with educational and training materials concerning the Constitution on September 17th. The second is that each educational institution which receives Federal funds should hold a program for students every September 17th.
Request an OED workshop here.
Adapted from loc.gov/law/help/commemorative-observations/constitution-day.php
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NDVAM Survivors, advocates, first responders, and other individuals observe the month of October as "National Domestic Violence Awareness Month" (DVAM) in an effort to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence throughout the United States. Evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October 1981, DVAM was conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, occurs when one person causes physical or psychological harm to a current or former intimate partner. It includes all acts of violence within the context of family or intimate relationships. Besides being the leading cause of injury to women in the United States (a woman is beaten every 15 seconds), it is an issue of increasing concern because of its negative effect on all family members, especially children. Throughout October, the Office of Equity and Diversity will host various programs and events in observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Keep a look out for upcoming DVAM events at UTHSC. Retrieved from: idph.state.il.us/about/womenshealth/ factsheets/dv.htm>
NDEAM National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is observed throughout the month of October, in celebration of the many contributions and achievements employees with disabilities make to America’s workforce. This year marks the 75th observance of NDEAM, which is administered by The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). ODEP leads the national NDEAM campaign and announced that this year’s theme will be “Increasing Access and Opportunity. Jennifer Sheehy, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of OEDP, stated that, “Now more than ever, flexibility is important for both workers and employers. National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the ingenuity people with disabilities bring to America’s workplaces.”
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DIVERSITY STUDENT RECOGNITION AWARD NOMINATING COMMITTEE With the inauguration of two new awards to recognize social justice advocates and achievers, the Office of Equity and Diversity set out to find dedicated and committed members of the UTHSC community to serve on the nomination committees. The 8 individuals represent a variety of organizational units with representation from the colleges of dentistry, health professions, medicine, and pharmacy also. Upon selection, OED considered faculty and staff members that have interfaced with our office through programmatic efforts and have demonstrated an interest and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice. The following individuals are tasked with impartially reviewing nominations and selecting students who have gone above and beyond to ensure a socially justice campus and community. Committee members have agreed to serve for the 2020 and 2021 cycle of nominations.
NOMINATION COMMITTEE • Hassan A. Aziz, PhD, FACSs, MLS(ASCP)cm Executive Associate Dean for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs Professor, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences • Kara L. Caruthers, PA-C Associate Professor/ Assistant Program Director Director of Community Engagement, Diversity and Recruitment Physician Assistant Program • Amaya Hamilton Student Academic Coordinator College of Pharmacy • Jennifer Langford, MLIS Associate Professor/Archivist and Special Collections Librarian Health Sciences Library • Jennesa Lasane Community Engagement Specialist Health Career Programs • Tom Laughner, PhD Director Teaching and Learning Center
Join us for a Neurodiversity Course with Dr. Michelle Rigler, Executive Director of the Disability Resource Center at UT Chattanooga
• Tiffinie Snowden Inclusion and Engagement Coordinator Office of Equity and Diversity
October 26, 2020 | 11:30 am
• Orpheus Triplett, DDS, BS Assistant Dean of Community Oral Health and Outreach Associate Professor Pediatric Dentistry
Register here. Adapted from: U.S. Department of Labor News Release: June 30, 2020
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DIVERSITY MATTERS
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2020
UTHSC’S MUKTA PANDA USES LIFE LESSONS TO ENCOURAGE HUMANISM IN HEALTH CARE Written by Peggy Reisser Well-Being,” was published in the spring by Creative Courage Press, just before the coronavirus circled the globe. However, its focus on personal reflection and self-care, as well as community awareness and connection, may be applicable now more than ever in the health care arena and the general public.
Mukta Panda, MD, remembers an important lesson she learned as a resident on her first cardiology rotation. The teacher was not an impressively credentialed professor, but a patient. Because she was not the primary caregiver on the case, Dr. Panda recalls feeling embarrassed that she was not doing more as it progressed. “All I did was hold her hand,” she said.
In the book, Dr. Panda, the assistant dean for Well-Being and Medical Student Education in Chattanooga, uses stories from her life to deliver her message of the power of personal connection in any interaction.
That gesture resonated with both patient and physician and endured after the patient recovered. “I still have the card she made for me with two hands on it,” Dr. Panda says.
“I speak in this book, not only as a physician,” she explains. “I speak as an immigrant. I speak as a woman in academia. I speak as a daughter and a mother with gratitude for family. And I speak as someone who is human, and to say this with humility, as someone who has gone through the same and similar paths as many stories I have heard from others, I feel like I want to give them a voice and permission to know that they are not alone.”
A professor in the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s College of Medicine in Chattanooga, Dr. Panda believes this scenario illustrates the value of building relationships in health care. This is a central theme of a new book she has written in which she aims to humanize health care for those who administer it and those who receive it. The book, “Resilient Threads: Weaving Joy and Meaning into 5
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BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
Such connection is a two-way street in the best health care, she believes.
An internal medicine physician, Dr. Panda was born and grew up in India. She is the daughter of two physicians and the mother of two adult children. She studied and practiced in India, London, and Saudi Arabia. A Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP–London), she came to the United States in 1990 as the Gulf War commenced. “Coming to the United States had been on the horizon while I was training in London and the Middle East, but the Gulf War certainly expedited it,” she says.
“We teach our medical students to take a history,” she says. “What is history − his story, her story. And we (physicians) are human beings. How can we dissociate our stories from their stories? So, when we give permission for people to share, what we do is we listen to that person’s story and we reflect it back to them. Isn’t it important that we reflect our own story, too, and claim it as our own story? And then we give invitation and say, ‘we’re in this together, so let’s try to work together with the system and build a relationship.’ ”
Immersed in a new culture with two small children, she knew she had to redo a residency training to practice. She took time to be a mom for two years, but realized she missed the long-term relationships and cognitive detective work of internal medicine and decided to retrain and complete her residency training in internal medicine.
HELPING THE NEXT GENERATION Dr. Panda has dedicated her career to encouraging physicians do that. In 2009, she helped establish the statewide Gold Humanism Honor Society for the UTHSC College of Medicine on the Chattanooga campus, and currently serves as chapter leader and adviser to the group, which recognizes medical students who serve as role models for the human connection in health care. The chapter’s efforts recently were recognized by its parent organization, the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, with its Exemplary Award, the highest given by the foundation to a chapter that continuously strives to increase engagement and empathy in the community, encouraging resilience and team building, teaching advocacy and leadership skills, and highlighting compassionate patient care.
A natural storyteller, she feels her own history has shown her the value of personal relationships, something that may get lost in the urgency of health care and in the training of those who practice it. “Having been blessed with the opportunity to train in so many different countries and cultures and then having role models growing up, especially in my parents as physicians, that (personal connection) had sort of been the norm,” she says. “When I came to America and was in an educator role myself, I found myself struggling to find the words and the correct ways to really make sure that we were taking care of the whole patient. And over the past years, in my own experiences as a physician, as an educator, and as a leader both in education and in health care, I have held the tension of how do we humanize medicine. It often feels that we are speaking two different languages.”
In May, Dr. Panda was invited by the College of Medicine’s 2020 graduating class to deliver the Hippocratic Oath at graduation. She is also working to establish another oath as a fixture of medical education at UTHSC to strengthen the physician-patient bond. The Oath to Self-Care and Well-Being offers permission for physicians to care for themselves in order to be able to care for others.
In this dissonance, she says, patients and their families can get lost, even though everyone involved wants to do the right thing. At the same time, physicians may feel frustrated and experience burnout from the stress of always caring for others and not taking time to care for themselves.
“This is something that all medical students are going to have to have, because this is a stressful career,” says Jeanne Jemison, MD, an associate professor of Medicine working with the Office of Student Affairs in the UTHSC College of Medicine. “It’s only getting more so. And it’s not a matter of if, but when, they will face incredible challenges. So, I think she is hopeful, as I am, and she put in her book, maybe the next generation of doctors will be more resilient because they didn’t wait decades into their career to gain strength through self-awareness and storytelling.”
“So, the book I have written is meant to give hope to everybody that by building relationships, with really caring for the person, we may be able to bring the patient back into the center,” she said. Physicians, too, may find more joy in the connection with their patients and be kinder to themselves in the process. In “Resilient Threads,” Dr. Panda recounts the story of a well-dressed older woman who came to her for a check-up and continued to schedule appointments regularly every six months over three years, though nothing particularly demanded attention. The personal connection between patient and physician was the draw. When the woman moved away to be near family, she painted a portrait of Dr. Panda, which still hangs on the doctor’s wall.
Shelly Francis, founder of Creative Courage Press and publisher of the book, believes it has the potential to change some views on health care. “I wanted to capture a story of a woman in medicine, who can help this generation pay attention to their inner life and their health and wellness at a soul-deep level,” Francis says “She can’t be a medical educator for everyone, but with her book, she can reach out to not just students, but the leaders who are teaching them, too.”
“I never knew she was a painter, but she taught me a lesson that she connected with me and she had no expectation,” Dr. Panda says. “And I was glad for that lesson, because now, it has even given me more reason to tell people my story and for me to get to know a person better.”
“Resilient Threads: Weaving Joy and Meaning into WellBeing” is available in hardback, paperback, and ebook from all booksellers and at Creative Courage Press. 6
DIVERSITY MATTERS
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2020
DIAC The scope of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council (DIAC) is advisory in nature with a goal of making recommendations to the Office of the Chancellor regarding how we may better leverage diversity and inclusion as an advantage in pursuing an integrated program of education, research, clinical care and public service. The Council is integral to the successful implementation of UTHSC’s Strategic Map as we institutionalize several of the cross-cutting diversity and inclusive excellence points of interest. The Council consists of several team members across the Health Science Center with respected knowledge and is led by Dr. Michael Alston, assistant vice chancellor and chief diversity officer in the Office of Equity and Diversity. Current council members have agreed to serve from 2019 until 2021.
• Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP- Chair Assistant Vice Chancellor for Equity and Diversity/Chief Diversity Officer • Chandra Alston, EdD, SPHR, SHRMSCP – Advisory Member Associate Vice Chancellor Human Resources • Sally Badoud, MBA - Advisory Member Assistant Vice Chancellor Communications and Marketing • Jacque Bradford, PT, DPT, EdD Simulation Educator and Assistant Professor Center for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Simulation (CHIPS) • James Carson, PhD Senior Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies College of Health Professions • Kara Caruthers, PA-C Associate Professor, Assistant Program Director and Director of Community Engagement, Diversity and Recruitment Physician Assistant Studies • Connie Childs, MA Director International Affairs • Cassandra Christensen, RDH, MPA, EdD Director of School-Based Programs and Community Outreach College of Dentistry, Dental Hygiene • Alicia Diaz-Thomas, MD, MPH Associate Professor Pediatrics • Martin E. Donaldson, DDS, MS Associate Professor Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health
• Andrea Franks, PharmD, BCPS Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Education Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy; Department of Family Medicine, UT Graduate School of Medicine • Charlie Folsom, MS Student Services Coordinator College of Nursing • Lori S. Gonzalez, PhD, - Advisory Member Vice Chancellor Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs • Marlon Hall Financial Coordinator Internal Medicine • Arati Joshi College of Medicine Student, M2 Student Representative • Connor Lenihan College of Medicine Student, M2 Student Representative • Mark A. Miller, PhD Associate Professor Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry Office of Research Research Integrity Officer • Mukta Panda, MD MACP FRCP-London Professor and Assistant Dean for Well-Being and Medical Student Education; Past Chair Department of Medicine Department of Medicine UTCOMC and Medical Education UTHSC-COM 7
• Trenton Pitts, JD Director Business Contracts • Cierra Richmond, BS, CAP Human Resources Recruiting Assistant Human Resources • Cynthia K. Russell, PhD, RN Advisory Member Associate Vice Chancellor, Faculty Affairs Office of Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs • Kunal Singhal, PT, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Physical Therapy • Robert St. Clair, MA Media Specialist III Print and Mail Services • Brad Terhune IT Team Leader Information Technology Services • Orpheus L. Triplett, D.D.S., B.S. Assistant Dean, Community Oral Health and Outreach and Associate Professor College of Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry • Ray West Project Manager Facilities Planning Services • Mona Newsome Wicks, Ph.D., RN, FAAN Professor and Chair, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department College of Nursing • Lillian Williams (now Lillian Martin) Finance Coordinator GSM – Business Office (Knoxville)
CAMPUS DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEES With the uptick in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) efforts in virtually every sector, groups, committees, subcommittees and such have been established solely to ensure EDI efforts are happening. Colleges/Universities, corporations and other business have ramped up efforts with the University of Tennessee Health Science following suit. At the date of publication, 4 out of the 6 colleges have established groups compiled of faculty, staff, and students to serve in a capacity where their focus is on EDI efforts surrounding recruitment, retention, creating sustainable programming with similar objectives to identify and advance areas where improvement is deemed necessary. College of Dentistry
College of Medicine
College of Nursing
College of Pharmacy
Office of Graduate Medical Education (COM)
Moving Forward Committee
Diversity and Inclusion Think Tank
Committee for Equity and Inclusion
Equity, Inclusivity and Diversity Advisory Board
Diversity and Inclusion Task Force
The Moving Forward Committee was established to further enrich an environment within the College of Dentistry where diversity is considered an asset. Since its founding, the Moving Forward Committee has endeavored to assist in recruiting, retaining, and supporting underrepresented students, with the overall goal of making us all better learners, teachers, researchers, employees, students and practitioners.
The objective of this group is to provide advice and ideas related to creating a diverse and inclusive community in the College of Medicine. “Our community” is defined as MD and PA students, residents, fellows, faculty, and senior administrators. The DITT group will meet to review and make suggestions on: • Policies, efforts, and resources for recruiting diverse members into our community. • Policies, efforts, and resources that enhance the environment for members of our community of diverse backgrounds. • Outcome data on our progress in achieving a diverse community.
The Committee’s purpose is to serve in an advisory capacity to the CON Executive Team in engaging faculty, staff, and students as it relates to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Establish an empathetic, attentive, responsive, and healing environment within the UTHSC College of Pharmacy.
"We support the presence, participation AND inclusion of all residents, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexuality, country of origin, gender, religion. Or able-bodiedness with a primary objective to recruit and educate URM trainees and faculty to practice in Tennessee. Our mission and values align with the goals of UTHSC.”
Marie Chisholm-Burns – Dean Bradley Boucher, Chair Kevin Darko Kenneth Hohmeier Jenny Johnson Shiyar Kapan Tyler Kiles Wei Li Kalon Owens Amelia Thompson Andria White Brian Winbigler
Natascha Thompson – Associate Dean Crystal Pourciau, Chair Victor Carrozza Alex Feliz Aaron Haynes Deirdre James Ashley King Adebowale Odulana Tiffinie Snowden Branette Upchurch Latonya B. Washington
MEMBERS James Ragain – Dean Syreeta McTavous, Chair Tony Burns Cassandra Christiansen Nikki Dyer Joe Greer Felisa Jackson Darryl Jones Layne Levy Janice Maddox Lynne Moore Dayna Myers Kamaria Robinson Quintin Robinson Ann Salinas Ronald Staples Orpheus Triplett Waletha Wasson Rosie Richmond Whalum
Scott Strome – Dean Chinelo Animalu Kara Caruthers Ron Cowan Nia Noelle Ducklo LaPrecious Harold, MD Teresa Hartnett Polly Hofmann Billy Holcombe Chris Jackson M2 Student, To Be Named Michelle Martin Mukta Panda Crystal Pourciau Claudette Shephard Kristin Signater Altha Stewart Valeria Vasquez Catherine Womack Daniel Zapata
Wendy Likes – Dean Adrian McLain, Co-Chair Kate Fouquier, Co-Chair Stephanie Breuer Ricketta H. Clark James R. Davis Christie Manasco Lyniel S. Smith Mona Newsome Wicks
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DIVERSITY MATTERS
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2020
CLARIFYING CONCEPTS
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS Sept. 1 Ecclesiastical year begins – Orthodox Christian Sept. 8
Nativity of Virgin Mary – Christian
Sept. 14 Elevation of the Life Giving Cross (Holy Cross) – Christian
BIAS – A bias is a preference for or against something or someone whether conscious or unconscious.
DIVERSITY – Variety in group presence and interactions based on a broad spectrum of demographic, cultural, personal experiences and philosophical differences.
INCLUSION – The intentional action of including groups in society who may otherwise be vulnerable, excluded, or marginalized.
MINORITY – A small group or category within a larger demographic. For example, in 2019 only approximately 9% of students enrolled at UTHSC were Black or African American1.
UNDERREPRESENTED – Refers to groups of people who traditionally and currently are represented in lower proportional numbers to dominant groups (i.e. the number of women in STEM fields, the number of minorities on campus, etc.).
Sept. 18–20
Rosh Hashanah* – Jewish
Sept. 23 Equinox: Mabon – Ostara* – Wicca/Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres Sept. 27–28
Yom Kippur* – Jewish
Sept. 29
Michael and All Angels – Christian
Oct. 2–9
Sukkot* – Jewish
Oct. 4
St. Francis Day – Catholic Christian
Oct. 10
Shemini Atzeret* – Jewish
Oct. 11
Simchat Torah* – Jewish
Oct. 17–24
Navaratri** – Hindu
Oct. 18
St. Luke, Apostle & Evangelist – Christian
Oct. 20 Installation of Scriptures as Guru Granth – Sikh Oct. 22
Christ the King – Christian
Oct. 25
Dusshera – Hindu
Oct. 28
Milvian Bridge Day – Christian
Oct. 29
Mawlid an Nabi* – Islam
Oct. 31
Reformation Day – Protestant Christian
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* Holy days usually begin at sundown the day before this date. ** Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date.
Retrieved from: umsystem.edu/media/hr/inclusive-language-handouts.pdf
Sourced from various online faith associations, please excuse any discrepancies.
Institutional Effectiveness Factbook UTHSC Enrollment Report – Comprehensive
For more information, please contact: Office of Equity and Diversity | 920 Madison Ave. | Suite 825 t 901.448.2112 | f 901.448.1120
uthsc.edu/oed