OED Diversity Matters Newsletter - November/December 2020

DIVERSITY MATTERS

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2020

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Hispanic Heritage Month. . . . . . . . . . . 1 Skylar Beasley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Message from OED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Native American Heritage Month. . . . 2 Veterans Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Student Diversity Coalition. . . . . . . . . 3 Health Justice Collective. . . . . . . . . . . 3 ADA Review Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Ramesh Narayanan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 National DVAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 Breast Cancer Awareness . . . . . . . . . . 6 Clarifying Concepts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Religious Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

OFFICE OF EQUITY AND DIVERSITY TEAM uthsc.edu/oed/staff Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP Assistant Vice Chancellor/CDO Olivia Ralph, JD Senior Compliance Officer Skylar Beasley, JD Equity Resolutions Counselor Dominique Crockett, MHA Assurance Officer Tiffinie Snowden Inclusion Strategist Isabella Porcaro, MA Diversity Program Associate 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.

UTHSC CELEBRATES

NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH (NHHM)!

On Friday, October 13, 2020, at the end of NHHM Dr. Luisa Ramirez de Lynch, faculty member in the Department of Physical Therapy, within the College of Health Professions, facilitated the Mini-Spanish Language Workshop. We express the utmost gratitude for helping us learn some basic Spanish words, pronunciation and practice speaking Spanish words and phrases to Dr. Ramirez de Lynch!

OED WELCOMES

SKYLAR BEASLEY, JD In October, the Office of Equity and Diversity welcomed Skylar Beasley, JD to the team as the new equity resolutions counselor.

As equity resolution counselor, Skylar assists with compliance efforts around Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, and related equity matters. An additional aspect of her position is conducting faculty and executive search reviews and analyzing accommodation requests (i.e., ADA; religious) in addition to complaints alleging discrimination, harassment and/ or retaliation prohibited by university policy.

Previously, Skylar worked with the City of Memphis Legal Office for the Memphis Police Department as she finished her last year of law school at University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Skylar is a native of Memphis. She attended the University of Tennessee at Martin where she received a BA in Psychology. Skylar also earned a Juris Doctor in May of 2020 from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH Native American Heritage Month celebrates the accomplishments of the indigenous peoples who were the original inhabitants, explorers, and settlers of the United States.

Native American Heritage Month originated in 1986, when Congress passed Pub. L. 99-471, which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week of November 23-30, 1986, as “American Indian Week.” As directed by Congress, President Reagan issued Presidential Proclamation 5577 in November 1986, proclaiming the first American Indian Week. The proclamation recognized Native Americans as the first inhabitants of the land of which the United States is now comprised, and acknowledged the significant cultural contributions Native Americans have made to this country, noting that:

The Office of Equity and Diversity offers a variety of courses and workshops at the request of individuals and organizational units. As an equity-oriented office, we not only address potential concerns as they are reported to us, but we also seek to assist in educating and informing members of the university on diversity and inclusion related topics and policies.

[m]any of the foods we eat and the medicines and remedies we use were introduced by Indians and more than one highway follows an Indian trail. Indians make contributions in every area of endeavor and American life, and our literature and all our arts draw upon Indian themes and wisdom. Countless American Indians have served in our Armed Forces and have fought valiantly for our country.

Our courses and workshops are designed to be informative and educational. Because OED understands the time restraints of our faculty, staff, and students, the courses and workshops are offered in short sessions and include condensed curricula. While our courses and workshops may include information and content regarding recommended behaviors or conduct, they are not designed to be “corrective action trainings,” as they are not meant to thoroughly teach a skill or behavior. Therefore, we do not subscribe to the competency model wherein workshops are recommended to be checked off a checklist or used for remedial purposes.

Since 1990, by issue of annual presidential proclamations, the commemorative period has been expanded to include the entire month of November. These proclamations celebrate the achievements and contributions of Native Americans and encourage all Americans to observe the month by learning more about Native American cultures, and participating in appropriate events and activities.

Due to an increased interest in the courses and workshops offered, OED has modified our offerings to include a fourcourse packaged options to launch in early 2021. These packages are designed to provide a cohesive set of courses and workshops based on the needs and interests of the requesting audience. Presentations will be adjustable for durations up to 50- 75 minutes. Additionally, OED will continue to provide the Diversity Certificate Program twice a year for individuals who wish to participate in a more comprehensive diversity and inclusion program as well as the Diversity Passport Program an experiential program offered annually.

Adapted from: loc.gov/law/help/commemorativeobservations/american-indian.php In honor of Native American Heritage Month, the Office of Equity and Diversity hosted Ms. Amanda Lee Savage, a history instructor from the University of Memphis to present, “But What Are We Thankful For? A History of Thanksgiving from an Indigenous Perspective”.

OED’s Diversity and Inclusion Book Club also read and discussed the book, The Scalpel and the Silver Bear: The First Navajo Woman Surgeon Combines Western Medicine and Traditional Healing by Lori Arviso Alvord and Elizabeth Cohen Van Pelt.

New Packages Include: • • • •

Educational Program Package Human Relations Package Compliance Package Design Your Own Package

For more information visit: uthsc.edu/oed.

VETERANS DAY who have served in the armed forces of the United States.

In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.” Armistice Day originally memorialized the signing of the agreement that ended World War I at 11:00 am, November 11, 1918. In 1954, this federal holiday was changed to Veterans Day and became a day to honor all men and women

Throughout history, our veterans and their families have put their lives on hold to protect our country. On Veterans Day, it is important that we acknowledge their service and display gratitude for their sacrifices. Not only do our veterans protect our rights and freedom, but they also provide service and aid to those in need. The caring and selfless spirit of our past veterans continues to live on in the hearts of those currently enlisted. Our veterans have made us advocates for democracy and justice throughout the world.

Thank you for your service.

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DIVERSITY MATTERS

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2020

UTHSC COLLEGE OF MEDICINE STUDENTS FORM STUDENT DIVERSITY COALITION Written by Alan Burns for both faculty and students regarding trainings and classes; changes to both admissions goals and CoM certifications; increasing resources for reporting on discriminating practices; new programming and event ideas for medical students; student support opportunities; and facility changes.

Medical students in the College of Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center have established a Student Diversity Coalition that seeks to improve diversity and inclusion on and off UTHSC’s campus.

This student-led group, which was created in June, includes members from the current second-, third-, and fourth-year classes. The group is seeking to establish a foundational vision around curriculums, training, programming, and education in the College of Medicine, as well as to work with the administration in implementing effective diversity programming and education. They are also hoping to serve as liaisons between the different campus-wide groups that are interested in these diversity issues.

So far, the organization has been successful in working with the administration in the CoM to establish a new Dean of Diversity and Inclusion position in the college.

The group is also working with UTHSC’s Office of Equity and Diversity and the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor on plans to implement more gender-neutral bathroom facilities across campus.

“We came together as a group of like-minded and compassionate members of our campus to share our thoughts on actions that could be performed in the College of Medicine, and to support each other in bringing these needs to fruition,” said Elizabeth Clayton, a second-year medical student.

“We ultimately want all groups, both on and off campus, to feel valued and heard,” said Clayton. “This includes patients that need to be treated with both fairness and respect, and in an equitable way. We hope that increasing a focus on health disparities and diversity in our curriculum will benefit both Memphis and patients throughout the nation as we become physicians.”

“Following the White Coats for Black Lives event that was held in June by the Student National Medical Association, we officially came together as a grassroots effort,” said Gene Lamanilao, a second-year medical student. “We wanted to create this coalition as a formal way to work together on making a real, passionate change on UTHSC’s campus.”

“We are delighted that our students are engaged in our collegewide efforts to support diversity and inclusion,” said Scott Strome, MD, executive dean of the College of Medicine. “We are incredibly proud of their commitment to these principles and their willingness to serve. Our students are our future, and their passion will ensure the success of these efforts.”

The coalition created a framework document that features proposals for the College of Medicine moving forward into the next year. The framework was created by Jonathan Thomas, Gene Lamanilao, Elizabeth Clayton, Connor Lenihan, Sarah Shore, Madison Perchik, and Grace McCarthy, all second-year students; Sierra Gaffney, a third-year student; and Priscilla Lothwell and John Collyer, both fourth-year students.

While the group is currently comprised of medical students, the members have been adamant that this group was created for the full UTHSC student body.

“We recognize that there is room for improvement to the entirety of the UTHSC campus,” said Clayton. “Our focus at the beginning has been the College of Medicine, as that is where we are located, but this is a group that is open to all students at UTHSC and we hope others will join us in our efforts to improve our campus.”

The proposals in the framework include reporting of metrics regarding demographics and racial justice; curriculum changes

HEALTH JUSTICE COLLECTIVE Established Summer 2020, the Health Justice Collective serves as a group of faculty, staff, and students vested in the progression of health equity, social justice, and unbiased healthcare.

With varying academic, professional and scholarly diversity, the HJC presents a sustainable project to achieve clear and concise objectives with projected outcomes that enhance the universities core values and strategic plan. The project titled, “You Can’t Spell Memphis without Me” is slated to begin January 2021.

The campaign will be available to view on Instagram and Twitter.

For questions and or interest in collaborating with the Collective, contact Tiffinie Snowden (tsnowde3@uthsc.edu).

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UTHSC’S NARAYANAN AWARDED GRANT TO STUDY CAUSE OF AGGRESSIVE PROSTATE CANCER IN AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN Written by Peggy Reisser Ramesh Narayanan, PhD, professor in the Department of Medicine and the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, has received a $455,000 grant from the National Cancer Institute for a two-year study of the underlying cause of the development of aggressive prostate cancer in African American men.

NEW PROCESS:

INTRODUCING THE ADA REVIEW COMMITTEE Starting Fall 2020, the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) and Employee Relations (Human Resources) established the new ADA Review committee to review and address requested accommodations submitted by faculty and staff that may fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with consideration to protections under Family Medical Leave or Workmen’s Compensation. The newly instated committee will collaboratively work to respond to accommodation requests, identify essential job functions, and, through the Interactive Process, have an open discussion with the requesting employee and their appropriate supervisor to identify potential reasonable accommodations.

The ADA Review Committee consists of: Skylar Beasley, equity resolutions counselor, Office of Equity and Diversity Dominique Crockett, assurance officer, Office of Equity and Diversity Brandi Martin, employee relations specialist, Human Resources Isabella Porcaro, diversity program associate, Office of Equity and Diversity If you, or a colleague needs to request accommodation or want to view more resources available for people with disabilities, please visit: uthsc.edu/oed/disabilities.

Approximately 174,000 men in the United States were diagnosed with prostate cancer and 31,000 died of the disease in 2019. The number of men with prostate cancer is expected to increase from 3.3 million men currently to 4.5 million by 2026.

Current therapeutic strategies target androgen (hormone) activity for aggressive, or advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer. Although these drugs on average extend progression-free survival, approximately 30 percent of tumors do not respond to these therapies, and patients who initially respond to these therapies develop resistance shortly after treatment initiation.

One of the primary reasons for treatment failure and relapse is the expression of a shortened form of the receptor protein for androgens (AR). These different versions are called AR splice variants (AR-SVs). Prostate cancers that express this shortened form are aggressive and fail to respond to current treatments.

Compared to Caucasian men, African American men have a 63 percent higher overall prostate cancer incidence. These individuals are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive and potentially lethal cancers, are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer, and have shorter disease-free survival.

Inadequate health care that limits early cancer detection or results in incomplete treatment could factor into the diagnosis of advanced cancer and a worse prognosis in African American men compared to Caucasian men. However, a prior analysis of men undergoing prostate biopsy that adjusted for clinical and demographic differences found that African American men were 50 percent more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 84 percent more likely to have high-grade cancer than Caucasian men.

Considering that approximately 65 percent of the population in the Memphis area is African American, it is appropriate and locally relevant to evaluate the underlying mechanisms for the aggressive prostate cancer development in African American men.

This grant will ask the question whether prostate cancers in African American men have higher expression of the shortened form of the AR (AR-SVs) and whether these AR-SVs are the primary mediator of the aggressive cancer. If the data proves the hypothesis that the higher expression of AR-SVs in prostate cancer of African American results in aggressive disease, Dr. Narayanan’s laboratory has developed novel drugs that have the potential to target the AR-SVs and inhibit the aggressive prostate cancer.

The multi-disciplinary UTHSC team that will work on this project includes Jay Fowke, PhD, MPH, MS, chief of Division of Epidemiology and professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine; Mahul Amin, MD, chair of the Department of Pathology; Robert Wake, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Urology; and Maurizio Buscarini, MD, PhD, MBA, professor of the Department of Urology.

“I have been working for the last seven years at UTHSC to discover next-generation drugs to treat advanced aggressive prostate cancer,” Dr Narayanan said. “This work in collaboration with Dr. Duane Miller (Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UTHSC) has resulted in novel molecules that are advancing toward clinical trials. If our results show that African American men express the shortened AR protein AR-SV at higher levels, our drugs will provide hope to these patients, who currently do not have alternate treatment options. It will be gratifying to see our research benefit the Memphis community and the prostate cancer patient population across the world.”

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DIVERSITY MATTERS

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2020

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

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DIVERSITY MATTERS

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2020

UT SYSTEM OED OFFICERS BRING AWARENESS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH (DVAM)

1st row L-R: Doug Bohner, UT Institute of Agriculture; Dr. Mark McCloud, UT-Martin; Katrice Jones Morgan, UT-Knoxville; Dr. Brian Dickens, UT System Administration 2nd row L-R: Sherry Sims, UT System Administration; Joe Henderson, UT-Martin; Tomi Rogers, UT Institute for Public Service; Patricia Burks-Jelks, UT Space Institute 3rd row L-R: Delphia Howze, UT System Administration; Dr. Michael Alston, UTHSC; Rosite Delgado, UT-Chattanooga

UTHSC CELEBRATES BREAST CANCER AWARENESS!

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CLARIFYING CONCEPTS

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS Nov. 1

All Saints Day – Christian

Samhain – Beltane * – Wicca/Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres Nov. 2

All Souls Day – Catholic Christian

Nov. 12

Birth of Baha'u'llah * – Baha'i

Nov. 13

Jain New Year – Jain

Nov. 14

Diwali (Deepavali) ** – Hindu–Jain–Sikh

Nov. 15 Nativity Fast begins – ends Dec. 24 – Orthodox Christian

ABLEISM – Discrimination or prejudice, whether intentional or unintentional, against persons with disabilities.

ACCOMMODATION – An accommodation is a modification, whether in the classroom or in the workplace, that ensures that a person with a disability can participate on a “level playing field” as those without disabilities.

Vikram New Year ** – Hindu

Nov. 22

Christ the King – Christian

Nov. 24

Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahdur – Sikh

Nov. 26

Thanksgiving – Interfaith USA

Day of the Covenant * – Baha'i

Nov. 28

Ascension of 'Abdu'l–Baha * – Baha'i

Nov. 29–Dec. 24

Advent begins– Christian

Nov. 30

St. Andrew's Day – Christian

Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib – Sikh

Dec. 6

Saint Nicholas Day – Christian

Dec. 8

Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) – Buddhism

Immaculate Conception of Mary – Catholic Christian Dec. 11–18

Hanukkah – Jewish

Dec. 12 Feast day – Our Lady of Guadalupe – Catholic Christian Dec. 16–25

Posadas Navidenas – Hispanic Christian

Dec. 21

Solstice

Accessible spaces and programs are made to be inclusive of persons with disabilities.

Yule – Christian

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT –

Dec. 25

Christmas * – Christian

Federal civil rights law designed to ensure that persons with disabilities are fully included in society and protected from discrimination.

Feast of the Nativity ** – Orthodox Christian

Dec. 26 Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra) ** – Zoroastrian

ACCESSIBLE –

Yule – Litha * – Wicca/Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres

St. Stephen's Day – Christian

DISABILITY –

Dec. 27

Saint John – Apostle and Evangelist – Christian

A physical or mental condition that affects major life activities.

Holy Family – Catholic Christian

Retrieved from: umsystem.edu/media/hr/inclusive-language-handouts.pdf

Retrieved from: interfaith-calendar.org/2020.htm

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

* Holy days usually begin at sundown the day before this date. ** Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date.