For Black History Month, UNMC celebrates the achievements and contributions of Blacks and African Americans and encourages the community to reflect on our nation’s history. A series of activities are planned throughout February. UNMC also will highlight the perspectives of Black health professionals at the medical center.
Today, UNMC Today recognizes Maribeth Clifton, OTD, assistant professor, UNMC Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
Why is it important to you that we celebrate Black History Month in health care?
The history of Black individuals and their involvement in health care is rarely acknowledged and often misunderstood. It is especially important that we celebrate Black history in health care as a way to understand the historical and contemporary discrimination and inequities that Black individuals experience, which are the root of many social, health and health care disparities. Furthermore, Black individuals have contributed significantly to advancement and innovation in the health care field, and it is important that we give the rightful acknowledgement to these individuals and celebrate their contributions. Health care providers should challenge themselves to learn more about Black history and the Black communities they serve, not only this month, but every month to ensure culturally responsive, inclusive and equitable care.
What can we do to support Black individuals pursuing or interested in a career in health care or public health?
To fully support Black individuals in pursuing a career in health care, we must ensure that academic institutions foster a sense of inclusion and belonging. This means that programs/departments training future health care professionals must take steps beyond recruiting diverse applicants and focus on how these students feel within their academic learning environment. Fostering a supportive learning environment for Black individuals can and should include:
- Establishing faculty, staff and peer relationships that are genuine, caring and compassionate;
- Holding individuals accountable for instances of stereotypes, microaggressions and discrimination;
- Implementing learning activities that are diverse and representative of a wide variety of situational- and identity-specific circumstances in the classroom;
- Providing opportunities for mentorship from peers and faculty;
- Necessitating mandatory trainings related to cultural humility, stereotype threat and inclusivity; and
- Having diverse imagery, art and photos representative of multiple identities throughout the institution.
Training the next generations of Black health care professionals is critically important and one step in our journey to reducing health care disparities. As such, we must prioritize the cultivation of rich learning environments that are welcoming, safe and inclusive.
Well said Dr. Clifton! All of it, especially cultivating a safe and inclusive environment for students. Happy BHM.
Assessing units on campus on how they are doing according to your suggestions on fostering a supportive learning environment would be imperative to understanding if we are cultivating a safe learning environment. I amplify everything that you said!
This is everything and MORE!! Supportive learning and staff in the academic world and all the way to the floor and beyond of any healthcare facility is so important!