Medical racism is a civil and human rights issue and public health crisis. Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens will provide a historical review of slavery and the development of modern American medicine, focusing on the early "fathers" of American gynecology as symbols of medicine's racist structure and how inequalities happen because of structural defects, especially in reproductive medicine, resulting in the current maternal morbidity/mortality crisis.
Inaugural Symposium
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Upcoming events
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“Racial equity is very important to me, that’s why I wanted to be here for this symposium.”
-Sylvia Rozario, symposium participant
(Past) Wednesday, September 21, 2022
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The VCU Office of Health Equity is excited to host the inaugural History and Health: Racial Equity Symposium on the MCV Campus. The symposium will give VCU and VCU Health students, faculty, staff, and community members an opportunity to examine historical and contemporary examples of interpersonal, institutional, and structural racism in science and healthcare; gain an understanding of how their experiences today are influenced by this history; and to be motivated to cultivate change on an individual and institutional level.
The majority of the cost of participation is underwritten with funding provided by the VCU Office of Health Equity. Your cost is only $25 through September 14, 2022, or $35 when registering between September 15-18. We encourage everyone to attend the symposium in person; however, if that is not an option, the two keynote addresses and Q & A sessions will have a virtual attendance option.
Symposium chairperson: Carlos Smith, DDS, MDiv, FACD, VCU School of Dentistry
Kicking off the event is:
- Sheryl Garland, MHA, FACHE, executive director, VCU Office of Health Equity and chief of health impact, VCU Health System
Symposium Objectives
At the conclusion of the symposium, attendees will gain an increased awareness of:
- The impact of history on current health inequities,
- Social determinants of health,
- The role of art and activism in advancing health equity.
Keynote workshops
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Medical Racism Then & Now: When You Know Better, You Do Better, Deirdre Cooper Owens, Ph.D.
Funded by the Kaplowitz/Garland Health Equity Lectureship
Read more about Medical Racism Then & Now
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Mothers of Gynecology, Michelle Browder
Read more about the Mothers of Gynecology
For the first time since the civil rights movement there is a national reckoning around race in America. Montgomery, Alabama is widely known as the cradle of the confederacy and the birthplace of the civil rights movement. Montgomery, Alabama gave birth to notable musical talents, world renowned folk artists, authors, and abolitionists. Michelle Browder will share how she participates in this reckoning by finding creative ways to honor the voiceless, the minimized, the ignored. She created the “Mothers of Gynecology” monument, to honor the sacrifice of Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey, the enslaved experimental subjects of the so-called “father of gynecology,” J. Marion Sims.
Workshop tracks
Intersection of Arts and Health Equity Track
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Using Art and imagery to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, Muzi Branch, MAE
Read more about Using Art and imagery to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
We will explore how the Arts in Healthcare Program at VCU Health uses artwork and imagery to encourage, uplift, and make all who enter our facilities feel welcome. The session begins with an overview of Arts In Healthcare after which, there will be a general introduction to the visual arts collection at VCU Health and to its significance not only to creating the healing environment, but also to the support of the artists’ community. It is followed by a hands-on session during which an art making activity is used to illustrate the application of art to promote cultural inclusivity.
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Incorporating Art in Healthcare Delivery, Holly Alford, MFA
Read more about Incorporating Art in Healthcare Delivery
Art and design can play a critical role in making people feel welcome and ready for treatment, while also helping them to feel comfortable and dignified. In this workshop, we will discuss arts and health collaborations such as creating pajamas specifically designed to accommodate a chemo port.
History and Health Inequities Track
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The Geography of Climate Inequities, Jeremy Hoffman, Ph.D.
Read more about The Geography of Climate Inequities
Maps of sociodemographic and health outcomes in our communities look just like maps of climate change risks like extreme heat and precipitation. Why? In this workshop, we will examine the history of these patterns and work collaboratively on strategies that not only would intervene on health, but also actively increase the climate resilience of our communities.
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Towards Race-Conscious Medicine, Meera Pahuja, MD
Read more about Towards Race-Conscious Medicine
This workshop will discuss race as a socio-political construct and its impact on health outcomes, the difference between race and ancestry and when using race is helpful in clinical decision making. We will also explore techniques to advocate for equity and reduce racism when using guidelines and clinical algorithms.
Attendance
In-person: Symposium attendees can earn a foundational History and Health: Racial Equity digital badge and will be issued a certificate of attendance. The symposium will also count towards the VCU Health Systems DEI learning requirements. Participants should sign the attendance form at the registration desk on the day of the event in order to verify attendance and to be issued the certificate. The registration fee includes access to in-person symposium sessions, breakfast and lunch.
It is our pleasure to provide you with a boxed lunch consisting of a sandwich, pasta salad, cookie, pickle wedge, and bottled water. If you have any essential food allergies, sensitivities, or dietary restrictions, please email healthequity@vcu.edu no later than Friday, September 16. In the email, please include your full name, and the specific restriction.
Virtual: If choosing to view the keynote workshops virtually, VCU will provide links and passwords so that participants can join the event live. The certificate will be awarded to those that fully attend the virtual keynote workshops/sessions. Virtual keynote workshops/sessions will meet partial requirements towards earning a digital badge.
There are a limited number of registration waivers available in order to ensure cost is not a barrier to attendance. Individuals seeking a registration fee waiver should contact the VCU Continuing and Professional Education program manager and school liaison, Shelly Schuetz, at ssschuetz@vcu.edu
We encourage students to review their syllabus and/or contact their professors to find out if extra credit will be granted for attending this event and, if any other specific requirements or guidelines have been outlined by individual professors to earn extra credit in their class.
Location and parking
The History and Health: Racial Equity Symposium will be held at the McGlothlin Medical Education Center, at 1201 E Marshall St, Richmond, VA 23298. Daily or hourly parking is available at various locations near the event. A limited number of parking spaces will be available at the Gateway Building valet site. If you are interested in this option, please contact healthequity@vcu.edu to inquire about availability. Additional parking is available on the MCV Campus at the 8th Street Parking Deck located at 659 N. 8th St., Richmond, VA 23298.
If choosing to view the keynote workshops and Q&A sessions virtually, VCU will provide links and passwords so that participants can join the symposium live online.
Optional film screening, panel discussion and reception
The VCU Office of Health Equity will also host The Color of Care film screening, panel discussion and reception on September 27 from 4-7 p.m., at the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at the Markel Center, 601 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220.
Cancellation/change policy
Registrations will be accepted through September 18, 2022. The registration fee will be $25 through September 14, 2022. Registrations between September 15-18, 2022 will be $35. Cancellations received on or before September 14, 2022, will receive a full refund of the registration fee. Cancellations or changes to your attendance selections must be received via email at ocpe@vcu.edu. No refunds are given after September 14, 2022.
In the unlikely event that this program is cancelled or postponed due to insufficient enrollments or unforeseen circumstances, the university will fully refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for any other expenses, including change or cancellation charges to include, but not limited to airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or other organizations.
Transfer policy
You may transfer your registration to a different person if requested in writing via email at ssschuetz@vcu.edu