The UTHSC College of Medicine (CoM) is hosting a virtual community discussion via Zoom on Wednesday, June 24 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm CDT that will include administration and faculty from the college, as well as community and faith leaders in Memphis. As the state’s academic medical institution, the College of Medicine is uniquely positioned to host this important dialogue
We understand that “structural racism in health care” is a broad topic. Structural racism is a starting point for the discussion and is defined as: a system in which public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations, and other norms work in various, often reinforcing ways to perpetuate racial group inequity. It identifies dimensions of our history and culture that have allowed privileges associated with “whiteness” and disadvantages associated with “color” to endure and adapt over time. Structural racism is not something that a few people or institutions choose to practice. Instead it has been a feature of the social, economic, and political systems in which we all exist.
From this discussion, the CoM is hoping to:
- Provide awareness that structural racism has effects on universities and colleges, including the CoM
- Openly discuss and reassure students, faculty, and staff that the college will commit to making changes to combat structural racism in all areas of our mission (education, clinical care, public service, and research) as they impact the health and well-being of our community
- Engage in an open dialogue with the audience about potential blind spots, examples of structural racism affecting the institution, and ways we can build a more equitable health care system here at UTHSC and the CoM by working together
Panelists:
Altha Stewart, MD (Moderator)
Senior Associate Dean for Community Health Engagement, UTHSC College of Medicine
Rev. Charlie Caswell
Executive Director, Legacy of Legends, CDC
Micah D. Greenstein, DD
Senior Rabbi, Temple Israel
Michael Rallings
Director, Memphis Police Department
David Schwartz, MD
Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, UTHSC College of Medicine
Claudette Shephard, MD
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UTHSC College of Medicine
Scott Strome, MD
Robert Kaplan Executive Dean, UTHSC College of Medicine
This dialogue is the first in a series planned by the college and is supported by the UTHSC Office of Equity and Diversity. While a large portion of the focus will be on the College of Medicine, this event is open to the public and we invite you to join us and participate.
To submit a question for the panelists, please fill out the form at the bottom of the event website or type in a question during the live discussion on June 24 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm CDT.