Ultimate Medical Academy Equips Faculty and Staff to Embrace Diversity and Prevent Bias
TAMPA, Fla.,听Nov. 7, 2018听鈥�听In light of the horrific shooting recently that killed 11 worshipers during services at the Tree of Life synagogue in听Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,听and as part of the听Ultimate Medical Academy听(UMA) Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Council鈥檚 commitment to bring outside perspectives to UMA, the nonprofit healthcare educational institution this week is sponsoring a series of one-hour discussions for faculty and staff.
鈥淯ltimate Medical Academy embraces diversity and inclusion,鈥� UMA President听Derek Apanovitch听said. 鈥淥ur students in听Tampa Bay听and across the country are counting on us to equip and empower them to excel in healthcare careers. We can only do that by recognizing and embracing the unique backgrounds and aspirations of our staff, our students, and those we ultimately serve in healthcare.鈥�
The sessions will be held from听12 to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8 at UMA鈥檚 Online Campus in听Tampa听and from听4 to 5 p.m.听at UMA鈥檚听Clearwater Campus, and on听Friday, Nov. 9听from听1 to 2 p.m.听at UMA鈥檚 Online Operations facility in听Tampa.
The UMA discussions on unconscious bias and micro-aggressions will be led by听, Ed.D., MPH, Assistant Professor of Instruction for the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at听Temple University. Washington is a Gates Millennium Scholar and Immediate Past President of the Gates Millennium Scholars Alumni Association, a network of more than 20,000 diverse millennial scholars and professionals.
鈥淚t is truly an honor to help initiate an ongoing discussion and institutional reflection on issues of bias, inclusion, belonging, and healing the historical trauma of marginalization and oppression that manifests in current day healthcare and patient outcomes,鈥澨�Sharon Washington听said. 鈥淚 feel confident that participants in these sessions will gain insight through self-reflection, increased team and institutional dialogue and analysis, and collective envisioning of a more inclusive and mindful approach to educating the future healthcare professionals needed by our diverse patient population.鈥�
Washington鈥檚 expertise includes navigating racial dynamics in the workplace; social and environmental justice; historical and political origins of race as a social construct; multi-racial and cross-cultural conflict resolution and negotiation; health disparities; self-care and wellness in the workplace; sexual and gender identities; racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of social oppression; youth development; and program planning for sustainable community development.
