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ENGAGED
News from Internal Medicine's Office of Equity and Inclusive Excellence
November 2024
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Message from the Vice Chair | |
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If the rapidly dropping temperature did not give enough hint, Daylight saving time signals that fall is here. In November we start to slow down, appreciate what we have as we approach the final weeks of the year, and find ways to share blessings with others.
I am grateful for the effort of each hardworking member of this department as we collaborate to achieve our shared mission through a lens of inclusive excellence. An authentic, consistent gratitude practice can contribute to an improved sense of inclusion and belonging in teams. However, gratitude is not just something that helps us or others feel good and positively impacts mental health; many health benefits have been suggested. This may be especially useful during the expected stressful times when November falls during an election year. I encourage everyone to exercise their constitutional right and responsibility to vote in this year’s general election, and for those who may feel distressed in the period leading to and after the election, UNMC Wellness Team shared some wellness tips that may be helpful during this time.
November is also the month we celebrate the heritage of the Indigenous Peoples of this land. This month’s newsletter highlights many opportunities to learn and celebrate on and off campus. If you are an avid reader, consider visiting your local public library, where you may find a display spotlighting Indigenous authors. My personal favorite is Rebecca Roanhorse, and I picked up a few novels from some new authors at the library yesterday that I am looking forward to reading. Try reading or listening to someone new today, and if you do, feel free to share!
Yours in Community,
Jasmine R. Marcelin, MD
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November 1st - December 31st
Departmental Community Giving Drive
MSB L05 Elevator Lobby
IM Office of Equity and Inclusive Excellence
As the holiday season is nearing, the Office of Equity and Inclusive Excellence is hosting a donation drive for pantries that serve all of Omaha and partnering with the Community Wellness Collaborative to re-stock backpacks for grades K-12. Would you join us in combatting food insecurity by joyfully giving to the community? You can donate dry or canned goods and school supplies. A collection box has been set up in MSB 5th floor, just outside of the elevators.
Giving Links:
Clair Cares Food Pantry
Heartland Hope Mission
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November 7, 2024 - 12 pm to 1 pm
From Miracle to Menace: Discussing the Class Divide of Substance Use
McGoogan Library, WHM 6032
Dr. Lydia Kang (Division of General Internal Medicine) will discuss her research related to substance misuse and its varied acceptance in society as seen in her writing, Opium and Absinthe, Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything, and A Beautiful Poison.
Press Release
Zoom Registration
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November 8, 2024 - Internal Conference
Gender Care in the Heartland:
Special Considerations in Gender-Diverse Patient Care
Omaha Marriot
This conference aims to provide foundational and institutional knowledge on gender care practices, policies, and guidelines.
Online registration is closed, but on-site/walk-in registration is still available.
Conference Details
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November 12, 2024 - 5 pm to 7:30 pm
Hope and Healing: Native American Digital Cancer Stories and Conversations
UNMC Office Of Community Engagement
College of Public Health Room 3013
The Digital Cancer Stories Showcase highlights the significance of collaboration in addressing health disparities. By uniting healthcare professionals with the Omaha and Native communities, we're sharing powerful testimonies that can inspire change.
Zoom Registration
In-Person
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November 13, 2024 - 2 pm to 3:30 pm
National ERG Day Celebration
UNMC Office Of Community Engagement
MSC Truhlsen Campus Event Center
Join the celebration and enjoy refreshments, music bingo, and learn more about ERG’s at UNMC.
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Equity and Inclusion Council Members Spotlight | |
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Name: Angela Gleason
Role in the council: Member
What I do at UNMC: I am a research technologist in the Division of Allergy and Immunology.
Why I joined the council: I joined the council because I am deeply invested in trying to increase equity and inclusion for individuals with disabilities in their communities. I have a child with a disability who has fostered my desire to advocate for him and others who cannot yet advocate for themselves.
Fun Fact about me: My master’s degree research investigated stress reactivity in small primates, marmosets. They love mini marshmallows!
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Name: José L. Zamora-Sifuentes
Role in the council: Member
What I do at UNMC: I am a physician in the Division of Allergy and Immunology.
Why I joined the council: I joined the council because I want to help foster a welcoming environment in our community for everyone alike.
Fun fact about me: Not to brag, but I have been able to balance having 2 cats and multiple plants. They are all thriving.
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One World Community Health Centers
2024 Milagro Award
Ryan Mullane, DO
The Milagro Award honors One World medical partners, patients, and volunteers who make Milagros (“miracles”) happen for the most vulnerable children and families. Dr. Mullane was recognized for going above a beyond for his patients at One World.
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ACP Nebraska Chapter
2024 Volunteerism and Community Service Award
Jasmine R. Marcelin, MD
The Nebraska ACP Volunteerism and Community Service Award honors members who have distinguished themselves in voluntary service in the area of medicine. Dr. Marcelin received the award for advocacy and engagement work with community partners to bring vaccines to the North Omaha community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Thank you to Anita Amato and Michael Corpuz!
The two staff members from the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism donated their time and talent to represent UNMC at the Pink Lotus Pancake Breakfast at North High on October 26, 2024!
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November Health Awareness Month | |
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Diabetes is one of the leading causes of chronic illness and death in the United States, and the impacts of this condition are not equally distributed. Compared to the White adult population in the U.S., racial and minoritized ethnic populations are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, have undiagnosed and therefore untreated diabetes and are less likely to have access to new medications and technologies to manage type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes prevalence also correlates with low socioeconomic status as well as the locations and environments where people live. Areas lacking access to healthy food and high-quality healthcare is often a result of structural racism imposed by past and present policies. One example of this is the racially based redline districting of neighborhoods that devalued properties which led to fewer public and private sector investments. The downstream effect of such policies has caused intergenerational poverty and increased intergenerational risk of type 2 diabetes.
As race itself is a sociopolitical rather than biological construct, it is important for community members, practitioners, researchers, and policy makers to look beyond race to consider the social drivers that do contribute to the development of these disparities. Understanding structural barriers to healthcare access will enable the development of equitable solutions to properly address the challenges people face.
Some community resources that we can share with our patients, family members, and community members to learn more about preventing and treating diabetes: UNMC Diabetes & Endocrinology Center, One World Diabetes Prevention, Douglas County Health Department
Learn more about racial and ethnic disparities prevalence here: Disparities in diabetes prevalence and management by race and ethnicity in the USA: defining a path forward - PMC
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Allyship Showcase: Institutional Programs to Support Allyship - Live Webinar
Part 3 of the 3-Part Series
December 11, 2024
12 pm to 1 pm CST
Speakers will share insights into how to institutionalize allyship efforts at your institution. This webinar will showcase promising programs from academic medical centers that have established regular and embedded allyship efforts at the institutions.
Allyship Showcase: Institutional Programs to Support Allyship
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This program is part of a 3-part series on Allyship in Action. View recording of Part 1 Engaging Allyship: Foundational Equity Practice Skills and Part 2 Engaging Allyship: Foundational Equity Practice Skills with this link AAMC IDEAS Learning Series | |
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Native American Heritage Month
Let’s reflect on the importance of tribal sovereignty while understanding the unique needs of indigenous Americans.
Of the approximately 1.6 million American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) people cared for through the Indian Health Service (IHS), death rates from diabetes, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, and accidents occur at rates greater than three times the general population. Poverty and education barriers contribute greatly to these disparities. The history of trauma inflicted through systems and policies undermining tribal life and cultural practices complicates addressing these issues due to a justifiable mistrust and resistance to assimilation.
At UNMC, the College of Public Health’s initiative called Health Education, Advocacy, and Leadership across Indigenous and Native Generations Project (NE-HEALING), led by Siobhan Westcott, MD, MPH, honors indigenous ways, builds respectful relationships and generates culturally grounded knowledge and practices to promote public health in tribal and urban AIAN communities. This collaboration enables tribes and tribal communities to decide their own needs and then receive the help needed to address those needs.
As the Native American Proverb states, “Give me knowledge, so I may have kindness for all.” By acknowledging the difficult parts of history, we can grow compassion and adjust our actions to reach excellence through the equitable treatment of all Americans.
To learn more here: Poverty and Health Disparities for American Indian and Alaska Native Children: Current Knowledge and Future Prospects - PMC
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We are always aiming to improve, so if we missed the mark in any way or you would like to contribute content to the newsletter, please email stacy.rafferty@unmc.edu. Thank you! | |
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UNMC Department of Internal Medicine
983332 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-3332
402-559-6315 (phone)
Website
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