UNMC holds cultural competency workshop
The University of Nebraska Medical Center hosted 20 college students from 10 Nebraska schools for the annual cultural competency workshop May 17-22.
During the weeklong workshop the students learned about differences and similarities among ethnic populations, factors that determine health disparities, and communication tips to help them be culturally responsive.
“The workshop provides a general overview of cultural competency, diversity and multiculturalism. The curriculum was intended to help the students think critically,” said Liliana Bronner, interim director of the Rural Health Education Network (RHEN). “Students gained a historical perspective of health disparities and fundamental cultural theories. They also analyzed various case studies and applied communication concepts they learned through mock patient scenarios.”
The students also learned about the growing diversity in Nebraska and the health professional’s role in providing culturally competent health care. The participating students expressed an interest in the medical, dental, physician assistant, physical therapy and radiation technology professions.
“You need to learn as much as you can about people that are different than you, so you can try to better communicate with them in health care situations,” said Kirsten Foster, a junior from Nebraska Wesleyan University, who thought the workshop was a wonderful opportunity.
The workshop was first offered eight years ago through funding from the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund (tobacco settlement). It is now supported in part through RHEN and Area Health Education Center (AHEC) funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services.
The students also worked in small groups and researched a clinical issue affecting underserved populations. On the final day of the workshop, students presented their findings during a student forum.
The bulk of the curriculum for the workshop was designed by the Nebraska Office of Minority Health and Health Equity.
Hometowns, names and colleges of participating students are listed below.
Auburn: Trent Jones, Hastings College
Edga: Derek Hoffman, Dana College
Elgin: Emily Vanis, Chadron State College
Fairfield: Jacey Fisher, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Grand Island: Sarah Beth Merithew, Doane College
Humboldt: Kassandra Connell, Wayne State College
Lincoln: Kirsten Foster, Nebraska Wesleyan University; Megan Puckett,Hastings College: Michelle Vu, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Nebraska City: Holly DeVorss, Midland Lutheran College
Ogallala: Travis Kirchner, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Omaha: Kara Maddox, Nebraska Wesleyan University; Patrick Pick, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Orchard: Aleisha Menning, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Papillion: Alexis Bowder, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Holly Walts, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Plainview: Leanna Kalvelage, Dana College
Scribner: Jordan Hoge, Dana College
Seward: Nicole Williams, Doane College
Brighton, Colo.: Christopher Deans, University of Nebraska at Kearney
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources now exceeds $82 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,600 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 513 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.
—30—