Quoteworthy
Paying attention to the traumatic experiences endured by our underrepresented colleagues helps us practice kindness, compassion, and empathy with one another.
Mauricio "Mo" Laguan, Jean Whitlock and Megan Call

Most Recent
How to Have Hard Conversations About Race and Ethnicity with Patients

Accurate, self-reported race and ethnicity data is necessary to create visibility of health disparities, provide inclusive care, and improve equity of health outcomes. Redwood Health Center’s Patient Relations Specialist Nichole Misner shares how to respectfully discuss this needed health information with patients.

Juneteenth: A Celebration for the Whole Nation

Juneteenth is a celebration for the whole nation, a time to recognize our freedom and what unites us as Americans. Chief medical officer and founder of the non-profit, Black Physicians of Utah, Richard Ferguson discusses the history of the event, what it means to him personally and gives tips on how we can honor and celebrate Juneteenth.

Juneteenth: A Day of Hope and Celebration

University of Utah Black Cultural Center’s Meligha Garfield and Sara Cody share insights on celebrating Juneteenth respectfully and emphasize the importance of understanding its history to avoid misappropriation.

Best Practices for Transgender and Gender Diverse Care

Transgender and gender diverse patients face systemic discrimination in our broader society and inequitable access to needed care. Ariel Malan, program coordinator and Andy Rivera, volunteer for Utah’s Transgender Health Program, share how to create an inclusive care environment for this vulnerable population focused on trust and respect.

Department Time Out: Systemically Addressing Social Injustices

Sponsored by University of Utah School of Medicine's Office for EDI, the Department Time Out is a recurrent, systematic initiative during which participants take a scheduled recess from work/school responsibilities to discuss pertinent social issues. EDI Experts Jessica L. Jones, Helen Davis, Stacey Board, Holly Bynum, and Darin Ryujin share how faculty, staff and students take time to recognize and address pertinent topics of social injustice.

Harmful Myths About Asian Americans in Medicine

Asian Americans face unique types of racism and discrimination that can make them feel invisible and out-of-place within our workspaces. By acknowledging this racism, we can take the first step to creating a more inclusive environment.

Don’t Get Lost in Translation: Expert Advice for Caring for New Americans

As Redwood Health Center’s program coordinator serving new Americans, Anna Gallegos has learned valuable lessons that can help all of us better care for patients of refugee background and vulnerable populations. Here are three suggestions to help make caring for patients easier.

More Than Just a Label: Refugee to New American

The transition from using the term "refugee" to "New American" is just another way University of Utah Health is creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. Redwood Health Centers' Chantal Taha and Marissa Higbee, along with Patient Experiences' Anna Gallegos share the importance of using this new language.

Driving Access and Equity in Hiring Practices

Hiring challenges are not new to hospitals and HR departments, but they have compounded in recent years due to the pandemic and the growth of our system. The Talent Acquisition team is using these challenges as an opportunity to reassess and refine our hiring practices to align with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts. Lisa Dyson and James Sugiyama share how they’re partnering with others to drive access and equity in hiring.

Assisting New Americans Through VR Technology

Learning how to navigate school, healthcare and more as they settle into Utah can be difficult for new Americans. Assistant Professor Milad Mozari from the division of Multi-Disciplinary Design (MDD) at the U’s College of Architecture and Planning, has been working to use virtual reality technology to support the resettlement process of Utah’s newcomers.

The BIPOC Check-in and Support Group

Well-being specialist Trinh Mai started BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of color) Check-in & Support via Zoom as a place to grieve and honor George Floyd and process ongoing racism. This is a space for employees at the U who self-identify as BIPOC to experience community, share struggles and solutions, and celebrate being who they are. Trinh and some members of the check in group share how the group started, how it has evolved and its lasting impacts.

Choosing Love Over Hate

Whether it was growing up in segregated Georgia, working with leaders across the country during the civil rights movement, leading a congregation at Calvary Baptist Church, or teaching an ethnic studies class at the U, Reverend France A. Davis has lived the theme of “Choosing Love Over Hate.” With the U of U Marriott Library, he shares his experiences and discusses “choosing love” in navigating today’s challenges.