MRC at a Glance: 2014-2015 Annual Report

The MRC at a Glance 2014 -2015 Annual Report

Multicultural Resource Center

Email: [email protected] Web: mrc.ucsf.edu ListServ: [email protected] Follow Us:

2

Welcome.

1

Throughout the year national and global events

have shaped the discourse on culture, identity, social

justice, and health. The Multicultural Resource Center

(MRC) recognizes the often dynamic and challenging

experience of navigating the intersectionality of multiple

identities –whether rooted in: age, visible and invisible

disability, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status,

sexual orientation, gender identity/expression,

indigenous heritage, national origin, gender, or

professional identity (adapted from Pamela Hays’

“ADDRESSING” Framework, 1996). Aligned with the

Office of Diversity and Outreach, under the leadership

of Vice Chancellor Dr. Renée Navarro, we are

committed to shaping a physical and intellectual

environment that honors the experiences of all

members of our UCSF family.

I joined UCSF and the MRC in August of 2014, seeking

an opportunity to leverage my passions for social

justice and advocacy to positively impact students.

Over the year it is has been truly amazing to witness

ideas come to life in the form of initiatives and events

that touched over 1400 campus members. This year I

have had the pleasure of getting to know, getting lost,

and finding my way to and from UCSF. Most

importantly, I discovered first-hand the ingredients that make the MRC so very special.

This recipe begins with our student learners.

The MRC is without a doubt a “Student-Centric”

campus service. We strive to create an environment

where students from all backgrounds and experiences

can come together, feel valued, and have their dreams

in the health sciences nurtured. On the day-to-day, the

MRC is a place where students connect with each

other, have a meal, or stop by to consult with Tina

Novero (Assistant Director to MRC and LGBT Resource

Centers). It is important to know that we see ourselves

beyond the physical space we hold on Parnassus

Avenue. Through programs, outreach, and social media our impact soars beyond the confines of MU 123.

2

Next we add in our campus partners, ensuring our

maximum impact.

Collaboration is at the core of our programming

efforts. This year we joined forces with over 15

departments and campus organizations, co-sponsoring events to maximize our impact and reach across UCSF.

Together with our students and campus partners, the

MRC curates programs centered on

cultural/heritage celebrations, diversity dialogues, and

professional development for underrepresented populations.

Bound together by our shared values in diversity,

inclusion, and equity the end result of this confection is

Community –A community that has the unique ability

to transform perspectives of health science through a social justice lens.

The MRC: At a Glance”, highlights just some of the most

memorable campus moments of the past academic year.

Taking the moment to reflect also sheds light on areas for

continued growth. In addition to our annual events, we will

focus on furthering our commitment to social justice by

hosting recurrent diversity dialogue conversations. We are

committed to identifying viable diversity actions for our

learners, faculty, and staff to actively engage with. In all

that we do, it is our desire to carry out our mission in the

spirit of service. Be sure to follow us on social media and

join our efforts in creating a more equitable UCSF community.

With Gratitude,

LaMisha Hill, PhD Director Multicultural Resource Center


3

B.E.S.T Goals

The MRC is committed to reaching our best to 1)Build 2)Educate 3)Support Success 4)Transform


4

Build. Build a collective sense of belonging.

UCSF MLK Day Celebration

On January 15, 2015 the MRC along with

the Committee on Minority Organizations

(COMO) and the Student National Medical

Association (SNMA) organized a wonderful

lunchtime reception featuring a keynote

address from San Francisco District 10

Supervisor Malia Cohen. Supervisor

Cohen engaged the audience in a

discussion about a few of the community

revitalization initiatives she is leading in her

district that includes Bayview, Potrero Hill,

Dogpatch, and Visiation Valley.

Specifically, she talked about the exciting

new hands-on STEM focused Willie Brown

Jr. Middle School that she is

spearheading. Her inspirational message

conveyed the need for UCSF

underrepresented professionals in health

sciences to be actively involved in underserved San Francisco communities.

Changing Tides: APIA Heritage (May)

Tides hold a great deal of meaning for

many Asian Pacific Islander Americans

(APIA), as they convey both the physical

and metaphorical ways in which many of

our communities have come to make their

way in America. Yet, more often than not,

we find APA experiences, struggles, and

stories swept under the tides of prevailing

stereotypes and misconceptions,

particularly when it comes to the health

needs, barriers, and risks. APIA Heritage

Month events were designed to push

back against biases and stereotypes and

offer a platform for APA communities to

speak out about critical health issues.

Special thanks goes out to the Asian

Pacific American Medical Student

Association (APAMSA) and the LGBT

Resource Center for co-organizing the month of events.

Dreamers to Doctors

In the fall of 2014, UCSF School of

Medicine accepted its first undocumented

medical student; however, there are other

students, before and after this event, who

pursued their aspirations in the health

sciences at UCSF despite their

documentation status. The Dreamers to

Doctors Screening and Panel Discussion

(A collaboration with SAA, FG2C, and

Financial Aid) was an opportunity to

highlight the journey of undocumented

students in the health professions and

raise awareness to admissions and

financial aid issues concerning this

population. The Dreamers to Doctors

event sparked an ongoing conversation

that has grown to the identification of best

practices to welcome and nurture current

and future UCSF Undocumented Students.


5

2

The culmination of this research is chronicled in his book Whistling Vivaldi, where Dr. Steele writes, “Everyone is capable of bias.

We simply are not, and cannot be all knowing and completely objective. Our understandings and views of the World are partial, and reflect the circumstances of our particular lives.”

Educate.

1

Stereotype Threat is defined as a situational predicament in which people are or feel themselves to be at risk of confirming

negative stereotypes about their social group (Steele & Aronson, 1995). As our keynote speaker for the year, Dr. Steele

reflected on his journey in higher education and the impetus for his research question –a desire to understand why students

of color were underperforming against their majority-culture counter-parts in college settings. During the hour, Dr. Steele

explored the intersection of identity, stereotype threat, higher education, and current events such as police brutality among

African American men.

UCSF Welcomes Claude Steele, PhD Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost UC Berkeley

Educate the campus on multiculturalism and provide tools for diversity actions.


6

UC Diversity Pipeline Initiative (UCDPI)

This year marked another successful UCDPI conference. In its 8th year of existence, the

system-wide conference welcomed 59 students and 18 faculty women of color in health

sciences. The conference featured amazing speakers from within our UC community in

addition to powerhouse keynotes. Attendees were welcomed with a kickoff address from

UC President Napolitano, followed by a keynote from Dr. Kathleen Kennedy, Xavier

University Dean of Pharmacy on Saturday evening, and Dr. Sandra Hernandez,

President of CA HealthCare Foundation as the closing conference keynote.

Underrepresented in Health Sciences Dinner (UIHS)

On May 13th, the MRC hosted a community building dinner in collaboration with the

Program in Medical Education for the Urban Underserved (PRIME) and First Generation

College Support Services. The UIHS dinner event included a mini presentation entitled

“Racism and Your Health” from James Lyda, PhD, from Student Health and Counseling.

This presentation discussed the impact of racism on student success and the importance

of creating community on campus. During the interactive segment of the night attendees

were able to provide recommendations for 2015-2016 community building initiatives.

Support. Support the development and success of a diverse pipeline of learners.

Imposter Syndrome & How to Overcome It

Part of The Success Series, this workshop was co-presented by Student Health &

Counseling and the MRC. Over 50 students learned about factors that contribute to

Imposter Syndrome, a process of minimizing or dismissing one’s accomplishments or

expertize. In addition to normalizing this phenomenon, presenters also provided

practical tools empower students.

Testimonials

“It was fantastic to sit in an audience with a female leader who is managing an entire health system...AND a family life. Bringing in leaders of this caliber helps remind us that we can have it all!”

-UCDPI Participant

“Dr. Steele was an engaging and extremely interesting presenter. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to attend.”

-“UCSF Welcomes Dr. Claude Steele” Attendee

“I moved here from across the country where immigration issues aren’t as readily discussed, and I thought having students talk about their experiences was straight up mind blowing. The mini documentary left something to be desired…”

-“Dreamers to Doctors” Antendee


7

Transform. Transform our perspective of health science through a social justice lens.


In the same spirit of the Selma to Montgomery Marches in 1965, the UCSF White Coats for Black Lives student organization wanted to make a statement against institutionalized oppression via a peaceful protest. WC4BL organized one of the largest medical student demonstration in history on December 10, 2014, International Human Rights Day. Over 80 medical schools with over 2,000 students across the country marched out of class to participate in the “die-in” demonstration affirming that Black Lives Matter.

Since then the WC4BL organization has motivated the leadership at UCSF to increase attention to resolving issues of equity and inclusion at UCSF. Specifically, WC4BL continues to engage the UCSF campus in community dialogues on why race matters in healthcare and how to improve the campus climate for underrepresented students, faculty, and staff. Racism and social injustice are challenging issues for diverse communities to tackle together. The UCSF WC4BL student organization, comprised of underrepresented minority students, had the courage to face this challenge head-on and facilitated eye-opening dialogues with UCSF faculty and administration.

The group also participated in a photo voice project called “Race Matters in Healthcare,” which asks UCSF community members to write their personal reflection that answers the question “What does equity in healthcare mean to you?” Their powerful portraits and statements raise awareness of health disparities and elevate the standard of excellence in healthcare by including social justice. The exhibit launch will occur in the Fall of 2015. On Aug. 6, 2015 the group received the San Francisco Human Rights Commission Hero Award for their courageous advocacy, leadership, and activism.

Tina Novero, MPA Assistant Director Multicultural Resource Center

8

Initiative Date Type Partners Number of Attendees

College Track 10/2014 -

05/2015 Mentorship Dr. Theordore 5

MRC Open House 10/24/2014 Community Building 50

Pre-Health Dreamers Panel & Screening

11/05/2014 Diversity Dialogue Office of Student Life

150

White Coats for Black Lives Die-in Support

12/10/2014 Student RCO Support WC4BL 240

MLK Day Celebration 01/15/2015 Community Building COMO 80

Black History Month: SNMA "Open Mic" Event

02/05/2015 Student RCO Support SNMA 40

Black History Month: Film- Valentine Road

02/11/2015 Diversity Dialogue LGBT Resource Center

20

Black History Month: AIDS in Black America

02/12/2015 Diversity Dialogue CAPS, LGBT Resource Center

15

Imposter Syndrome Workshop

02/23/2015 Professional Development Student Health 50

Unconscious Bias Lunch & Learn

02/26/2015 Diversity Dialogue ODO, Dr. Salazar 50

Napa Valley & Yuba City College Tour

04/03,04/09 2015

Pipeline Outrearch SOD, SOP students

80

UC Diversity Pipeline Initiative

04/06-04/08 2015

Mentorship/ Student Success UCOP, UCLA 100

Race Talks 05/03, 06/16 2015

Diversity Dialogue/Student RCO Support

SNMA, WC4BL 100

Claude Steele Keynote 5/13/2015 Diversity Dialogue ODO 200

Underrepresented in Health Sciences Dinner

5/13/2015 Community Building PRIME/FG2C 80

Asian Pacfic American Heritage: Banteay Srei

05/18/2015 Student RCO Support APAMSA 50

Asian Pacfic American Heritage:LGBT Panel

05/26/2015 Diversity Dialogue/ Community Building

APAMSA, LGBT Resource Center

25

Asian Pacfic American Heritage Night

05/28/2015 Community Building APAMSA 70

Race Matters Photovoice shoots

Spring Qrt Diveristy Dialogue/ Community Building

WC4BL 70

Totals 16 partners 1,475 attendees

Initiatives.


Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association

Asian Pacific American Systemwide Alliance

Black Student Health Alliance

Campus Life Services

Center for Aids Prevention Studies

Council of Minority Organizations (COMO)

David Hand Photography

EVCP Dr. Claude Steele

(UC Berkeley)

First Generation Support Services

LGBT Resource Center

Latino Medical Student

Association

Marta Cunningham (Off the Wall Productions)

Native American Health

Alliance

Office of Diversity and Outreach

Office of Student Life

Pre-Health Dreamers

Program in Medical Education for the Urban Underserved

(PRIME)

Student National Medical Association

Underrepresented in Medicine Student Group

Student Academic Affairs

Student Health and Counseling

Supervisor Malia Cohen (SF District 10)

UC Diversity Pipeline Initiative Committee

UC Office of the President

UCSF White Coats for Black Lives

USF Interns Angela Hopkins & Simone Medley

MRC Collaborators/Thank Yous


Documents

MRC at a Glance: 2014-2015 Annual Report