Nursing celebrates diversity with Hispanic Heritage Month event

Donna Westmoreland, Ph.D., right, plays one of the instruments used by Latino musicians as College of Nursing Dean Ada Lindsey, Ph.D., looks on.

More than 100 faculty, students and staff from the UNMC College of Nursing in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney and Scottsbluff, took a trip over the noon hour to Latin America. In reality, participants celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month on campus, learning about Latin American culture.

The UNMC College of Nursing Diversity Task Force hosted the event, which combined education, food and music. The program, which took place at the UNMC College of Nursing in Omaha, was broadcast to nursing divisions in Lincoln, Kearney and Scottsbluff.

Participants learned about the lands and people of Latin America and were entertained by musicians, Pablo Roberto Flores and Jose Lopez. Flores, a musician from Honduras, plays with the multinational traditional Latin music group, “Surcos.” Lopez is a musician from Mexico. Both are members of the local Latin singing group “Trilogia.”

Musicians, Pablo Roberto Flores, left, and Jose Lopez.

They introduced the audience to their music, instruments and some of the dance rhythms of the Latin culture. The spirited music filled the room and had some members of the audience dancing and playing various instruments, including an instrument made from the toenails of llamas.

Appreciating diversity at UNMC

“I think events like these are so important,” said Larry Hewitt, UNMC College of Nursing and a member of the College of Nursing Diversity Task Force. “Hopefully we educate people and create an awareness about the value of the rich diversity we have here at UNMC.”

“It opens people’s eyes and makes them aware of different cultures,” said Art Baux, UNMC College of Nursing student. “Understanding and experiencing different cultures makes us better people.”

Participants help themselves to food of the Latin culture.

Celebrating differences

The task force, whose mission is to provide educational forums for sharing cultural beliefs and experiences, as well as promote open communication, will host a number of other activities throughout the year. Explorations of cultural backgrounds by diverse populations can enhance understanding and reduce the challenges of the unknown.

“The essence is to bring together people and talk about and celebrate differences. The university is suppose to be a place of unity and cultural diversity,” said Rosaline Olade, Ph.D., associate professor in the UNMC College of Nursing and chair of the task force. “This series will help educate people about diversity, especially for those who have not been exposed to different cultures. This is one way to share things about people from different parts of the world.”

Planning future events

To find out what events the task force is hosting next, click here.

Committee members who organized the event are: Dr. Olade, Hewitt, Lola Martin, Dani Eveloff, Cathy BernoskydeFlores, Gloria Gross, Ph.D., Judy Billings, Ph.D., Teresa Ryan, Steven Smith, and Dave Bedell.