Embracing Diversity Series

The events in this series celebrate multiple dimensions of diversity and are designed to generate meaningful discussions about the benefits of diversity, equity and inclusion in healthcare professions. All NEOMED students, faculty and staff are invited to attend!

Spring 2023 Programs

Multicultural Festival

March 20 from 1:oo-4:00pm in the atrium outside of Watanakunakorn 

This is the largest event that the University Diversity Council puts on! We highly encourage you to stop by the event for food, performances, and to check out our booths put on by our students and employees.

Food will be available from 1pm-2:30pm and includes selections from Egypt, India, and the Caribbean, plus more! Performances will begin at 2:30 with performances from students and special performances from the MacConmara Irish School of Dance and 2 instructor led line dances for all to learn and participate! You can stop by the booths anytime during the event.

We will also be hosting the Flag Game and a gift card will be given to the person who gets the most correct. Attendees of the event will also be able to vote on their favorite booth and the winning booth will receive a prize!

Women’s History Month Movie: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

March 29 from 12:15pm to 1:45pm in F-118

Register here!

Please Join the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and the Women in NEOMED ERG for a Women’s History Month Celebration showing of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Snacks and drinks will be provided to those who register in advance.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks tells the story of an African-American woman who died in 1951, aged just 31, of an aggressive cervical cancer. It also tells the story of her legacy: the HeLa cell line, taken from Henrietta’s tumor while she was still alive, cultured in a lab, and discovered to be immortal. After her death HeLa was mass-produced and sold to laboratories all over the world. It has been used in a vast and varied array of scientific research including research into cancer, the human genome, and the development of the polio vaccine, and it continues to be used to this day. It also raises questions about ethics, consent, and profits in medicine.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Presents: Trauma Informed Practices

April 5 from 1pm-2pm via Zoom. Please register here and a calendar invite with the Zoom link will be sent.

Join NEOMED’s Title IX Coordinator to learn about best practices in being trauma informed. This session will be useful in clinical settings as well as for faculty and staff on campus who may take initial reports of sexual assault or sexual harassment.

Past Events

Lunar New Year

January 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the atrium outside of Watanakunakorn

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to join the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association this year’s Lunar New Year celebration! Feel free to stop by as your calendar allows to learn about Asian countries, participate in activities, celebrate the year of the Rabbit, and take a box of specially curated food samples.

Vitals: Dr. Yoleetah Ilodi, Internist & Geriatrician at Summa Health

February 2 at 12:00pm via Zoom. Register Here!

Yoleetah Ilodi, M.D., FACP, assistant dean of diversity in the NEOMED College of Medicine, is the next VITALS speaker.

Dr. Ilodi provides leadership, oversight and strategic vision for policies and initiatives to promote inclusive and equitable learning and working environment for students, faculty and staff in the College. She leads efforts to ensure that the College achieves its expectations for diversity and maintains an environment that welcomes and fosters inclusivity.

Dr. Ilodi is an associate professor of internal medicine, a graduate of the Fellowship in Academic Medicine and serves on the College’s admissions committee. She currently practices internal medicine and geriatrics for Summa Health.

Every month, health care thought leaders are given 17 minutes – the average duration of a physician-patient visit – to engage medical professionals and students on any of the VITALS topics: Value-based, Innovation, Technology, Advocacy, Leadership, Service.

Health Disparities in Ohio

February 6 from 12:15-1:00pm in the Watanakunakorn Auditorium

Join Angela Dawson, Executive Director from the Ohio Commission on Minority Heath for this presentation planned by the Student National Medical Association. Students can register on Campus Groups to be included in the lunch count. Faculty and staff do not need to register and should bring their own lunch.

Understanding Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Medical Education:

A Virtual Conversation with Dave McIntosh, PhD

September 1 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm via Zoom
Dave McIntosh, PhD is an experienced professional with more than fifteen years of experience leading diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dave joined the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in August of 2021 as the inaugural Vice Dean for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
In his career, Dave has led much mission and accreditation critical functions focused on diversity, inclusion, climate, community engagement, and pipeline programs. He is a noted speaker, presenter, and consultant on diversity matters in health care and education, and serves on local and national boards and committees. His work has focused on creating equitable environments for all people by evaluating the climate, measuring the presence of diversity, building education and professional development opportunities, and assessing the policies, programs, practices, procedures, and structures of organizations to ensure equitable outcomes.

Hispanic Heritage Month event

Salsa AND Salsa

Friday, September 16 at 5:00pm in the Campbell Atrium

The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) invites you to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with Salsa & Salsa Night! We will be having a salsa competition, and if you want to bring your own to compete, please sign up here! ​​​​​​​We will also be having fun salsa music and dancing! RSVP to attend on Campus Groups.

Hispanic Heritage Month event

Latin America Travel Affair

Monday, September 19 from 12:00pm-1:30pm in the Atrium outside of Watanakunakorn

Join LMSA in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by learning about various Latin American Countries! There will be food, giveaways, and more. RSVP to attend on Campus Groups.

Hispanic Heritage Month event

Game Lunch Hour-Lotería

Wednesday, September 28 at 12:00pm in Room NEW 2014/2015

Join LMSA to relax and have a little fun during the lunch hour. We will be playing lotería (similar to bingo) and other games. This is guaranteed to be a good time! Register on Campus Groups.

Hispanic Heritage Month event- Artist Spotlight Week

Monday, October 3- Friday October 7 in the atrium outside of Watanakunakorn

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Latino Medical Student Association is showcasing a few of the many Hispanic artists that have made their mark on history. Visit the Watanakunakorn Atrium to check out a new Hispanic Artist highlighted daily.

Hispanic Heritage Month event- Spanish Medical Workshop

Friday, October 7 from 12:00pm-1:00pm in Olson Auditorium

Get training in answering commonly asked questions in Spanish. The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) with special guest, NEOMED Alumni Dr. Ani Almanzar.

Safe Space Training with Dr. Menapace

Oct 10 (students only) 12:00pm-1:30

Sexual orientation is an important component of the University’s definition of diversity. To further Northeast Ohio Medical University’s commitment to creating a diverse and welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) students, faculty, staff and guests, the University launched an initiative called SafeSpace in 2013. The SafeSpace initiative is designed to provide dedicated resources to members of the LGBTQ community at NEOMED, their allies, family, and friends. Faculty and staff understanding LGBTQ students’ needs and developmental processes can greatly help them flourish at NEOMED.

Diversity Training Series: Assessing Cultural Awareness and Responsiveness

October 19 from 12:00pm-1:30pm via Zoom and in person in Olson Hall.

Recognizing the context in which research is conducted influences the impact and validity of the results. The applicability of these outcomes depends on research design and analysis. The interpretation of this work within the context of culture informs interpretation of the literature, clinical practice, and the integrity of teaching.

 

Join us as we explore this topic with Dr. Jeannette E. South-Paul. Dr. South-Paul is a sought after speaker by academic, clinical and community organizations as well as health industry groups who are seeking perspectives on health disparities, workforce diversity, leadership and racial and social justice.

Hispanic Heritage Month event-Karaoke Night

Wednesday, October 19 from 5:00pm-7:00pm in the atrium outside of Watanakunakorn

LMSA invites you to close out Hispanic Heritage Month with some karaoke! We will provide refreshments. Look forward to seeing you all there. RSVP on Campus Groups.

Safe Space Training with Dr. Menapace

Oct 24 (faculty/staff only) 10:00am-11:30am via Zoom

Sexual orientation is an important component of the University’s definition of diversity. To further Northeast Ohio Medical University’s commitment to creating a diverse and welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) students, faculty, staff and guests, the University launched an initiative called SafeSpace in 2013. The SafeSpace initiative is designed to provide dedicated resources to members of the LGBTQ community at NEOMED, their allies, family, and friends. Faculty and staff understanding LGBTQ students’ needs and developmental processes can greatly help them flourish at NEOMED.

Black in Medicine Panel

Sponsored by Student National Medical Association (SNMA)

Monday, October 24^th 6:00-7:30pm* in Meshel Hall

Please join us as physicians of color from various specialties share their experiences as residents and/or attending physicians with the NEOMED community. We encourage those attending the event to bring any questions that they may have regarding the intersections of race, medicine and ethnicity. NEOMED students, faculty and staff can register on Campus Groups.

*For those who are not already affiliated with NEOMED interested in learning more, we will be hosting a ‘Get Know NEOMED Presentation and Tour at 4:30pm- 5:45pm’, before the Panel event.

Hispanic Heritage Month event-Meet the Speaker

Thursday, October 27 from 5:30pm-6:30pm via Zoom

The Latino Medical Student Association Chapter at Northeast Ohio Medical University is excited to host a virtual evening discussion with Dr. Andres Deik. Dr. Deik will be speaking about his journey to become a physician who identifies as Latino. NEOMED faculty/staff/students RSVP on Campus Groups.

Dr. Andres Deik, MD, MSEd, FAAN is a graduate of the Universidad del Norte in his native Barranquilla, Colombia. He completed his residency in Neurology and fellowship in Movement Disorders at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, in New York City. He was also awarded a scholarship from the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation for subspecialty training in Dystonia, and completed a Master’s in Medical Education at the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology and Program Director of the Movement Disorders fellowship program at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. He is also Director of Experimental Therapeutics for Movement Disorders Center at this institution. He devotes his time to clinical care (including administration of botulinum toxin injections and DBS programming), teaching and clinical trials in movement disorders. Dr. Deik is currently an Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology at Penn Medicine (the University of Pennsylvania Health System).

For those who are not familiar with NEOMED and/or LMSA, we invite you to log-on early for a ‘Get to Know NEOMED & LMSA Meet N Greet’ from 5:00-5:25pm that will lead us into Dr. Deik’s presentation at 5:30pm.

Dia de Los Muertos

October 26 – November 2 in  the NEOMED Inclusivity Center

Please join the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) in celebrating the Mexican holiday Día de Muertos. Día de Muertos is a celebration of life.

Beginning October 26, we invite the NEOMED community to bring a photo of a loved one and/or a small memento to display on the ‘Ofrenda’ as we remember our family and friends (including our animal friends and family) who are no longer with us.

On November 2, from 12:00 – 2:00pm LMSA will host light refreshments of pan de muerto  and traditional hot chocolate in the Inclusivity Center.

Mementos can be picked up from the Inclusivity Center on November 3^rd.

Want to know more about Día de Muertos? Check out this video! “What is the Day of the Dead?” National Geographic (2:06)

Annual Diwali Celebration

November 4 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm in the NEW Ballroom

SOLD OUT EVENT!

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to join the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and Northeast Ohio Medical University Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for this year’s Diwali Celebration. Diwali is the Indian culture’s Festival of Lights and signifies the true essence of life where good overcomes evil. The evening will include delicious food, a live DJ, interactive activities and more! Tickets will be required for entry.

Diversity Training Series: Creating an Inclusive Institutional Culture

POSTPONED- New Date TBD

Many organizations are working towards fostering a workplace culture that is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion so that every voice is heard. We have discussed individual awareness of ones’ culture and how our national environment is changing demographically. Today we examine the elements of institutional culture and everyone’s contribution to it. Equity, diversity, and inclusion creates a culture where every individual is acknowledged and supported, regardless of their differing background. It helps us to recognize the value in diverse voices, as well as other differences that enrich the workplace. Ultimately, the commitment to demonstrate inclusive behaviors and practices allows everyone to evolve both personally and professionally.

Join us as we explore this topic with Dr. Jeannette E. South-Paul. Dr. South-Paul is a sought after speaker by academic, clinical and community organizations as well as health industry groups who are seeking perspectives on health disparities, workforce diversity, leadership and racial and social justice.

The Anti-Racist OB/GYN

February 13 from 12:15pm-1:00pm in the Watanakunakorn Auditorium

The Student National Medical Association presents Dr. Kamilah Dixon, Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Ohio State University for a presentation on anti-racism. Students can register on Campus Groups to be included in the lunch count. Faculty and staff do not need to register and should bring their own lunch.

Student Paint Night!

February 15 from 6:00pm to 9:30pm in Meshel Hall

Students, please register to reserve your spot at the Paint Night with Jerome White, mixed media artist. No experience is necessary! Space is very limited. Food will be provided.

Black History Month Jeopardy: Hosted by Roy James II, M2

February 17 from 12:15pm to 1:00pm in Meshel Hall

You will not want to miss this lunch hour of fun and learning! Contestants will go head-to-head in Black History themed categories for their chance to win the grand prize! Whether a contestant or audience member, you will leave more knowledgeable than you came in! Students, please register on Campus Groups to be counted in for lunch! Faculty and staff do not need to register and should bring their own lunch.