 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Anti-Racism Visioning Team
Department of Midwifery and the Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations
at Bastyr University
Anti-Racism Blueprint for ChangeGoal: A learning environment free from institutionalized racism, dedicated to social justice and a culturally versatile approach to maternal health care provision.
Innovative diversity training for future health professionals
Kenmore, Wash. (May 18, 2011) — Bastyr University is taking unique steps to train students as unbiased health care professionals. On Wednesday, May 25, the University will offer a first-ever Human Library event at Bastyr Center for Natural Health. The event will help student clinicians explore prejudices and dispel stereotypes when encountering patients from diverse backgrounds.
While the Human Library concept is not new, the model of applying it in a medical training setting is. This library is a living, breathing group of volunteer participants, known as "books," each representing different marginalized or less familiar identities. Students will learn from and ask questions of these "books," with the goal of demystifying preconceived notions and reminding students not to "judge others by their covers."
"We are very excited about the Human Library project as an innovative way to promote diversity training for Bastyr University students," said Dan Rosen, PhD, faculty member in Bastyr University's Department of Counseling and Health Psychology and the event organizer. "Getting our students out of their comfort zones in order to become educated about marginalized and oppressed communities is the most effective way to learn, and is necessary step in their development as future health professionals."
Among scheduled "books" are people who are: HIV-positive, blind and deaf, Muslim, transsexual, and non-native speakers of English. Guests were chosen based on the results of a survey asking Bastyr students to name patient groups they knew the least about.
Approximately 60 student clinicians and 15 community leaders ("books") are expected to attend. The Human Library event at Bastyr Center for Natural Health is sponsored by the Bastyr University Diversity Committee. Interested media are invited to attend the Human Library event from 5:30-9 p.m. May 25 at Bastyr Center. A reception featuring food and music will immediately follow.
The purpose of this training is to provide participants with a better understanding of racism and the insidious ways it continues to adversely impact our society. Most importantly, participants will explore the costs of white denial, white privilege and a color-blind attitude to effectively counteract racism. The training will follow a workshop and experiential format and take an affirming and inclusive approach to a difficult topic through dialogue and process. The goals of the training listed below will be pursued in an open and safe environment where participants can talk candidly about a challenging topic.
The workshop will . . .
- Deepen participant understanding of the nature and significance of racial and ethnic differences
- Provide clinicians with knowledge of how racism impacts access and quality of care
- Deepen educator insight into how racism impacts the learning environment
- Identify and counteract systemic and unconscious bias
- Offer practical tools to effectively counteract racism
Trainers:
Daniel Rosen, Ph.D.
Core Faculty, Department of Health Psychology
Allison Lau, Ph.D.
Faculty and Psychologist, Bellevue College
Saturday, April 9, 2011
9 AM – 5 PM
Bastyr University Campus – Room 284
FREE to University students, faculty and staff
(Pre-registration is required)
Space is limited. If you would like to attend, please send an e-mail by 5 PM Monday, April 4, 2011 to Department of Midwifery Administrative Assistant Gabriella Delgado at gdelgado@bastyr.edu. Registered participants will be notified via e-mail by Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011 Noon – 12:50 pm
Bastyr AuditoriumWatch this provocative and important video clip then participate in a facilitated discussion led by faculty members Christy Hofsess, Ph.D. and Dan Rosen, Ph.D. Bring your lunch, join us for beverage and cookies and learn more about allyship!
This event is one of the Committee’s regularly scheduled 2011 brown bag film showings that highlight topics of diversity and social justice. A goal of the Diversity Committee is to provide opportunities to the University community for self-awareness, reflection, and dialogue.
Questions? Contact Diversity@Bastyr.edu
Bastyr University Diversity Committee invites you to attend a free screening of the movie:
On White Privilege: Racism, White Denial & the Costs of Inequality
featuring anti-racist activist Tim WiseTuesday, January 18, 2011 from 6-9 pm
Bastyr AuditoriumJoin us for free refreshments, view this thought provoking film, and then participate in a facilitated discussion led by faculty members Christy Hofsess Ph.D. and Dan Rosen, Ph.D.
Wise is the author of
- White Like Me: Reflections on Race From a Privileged Son
- Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama
- Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity
- In 2010, Utne Reader magazine listed Wise as one of the "25 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World”
This evening event is a kick off for regularly scheduled 2011 brown bag film showings that highlight topics of diversity and social justice. The goal is to provide opportunities for all in the University community for self-awareness, reflection, dialogue and advocacy for diversity.
The Diversity Committee mission is to aid the University in educating future leaders in the natural health arts and sciences by working to provide resources to ensure that the concept and dimensions of diversity are advanced and incorporated into all aspects of University life.
Contact Annie Kennedy or Christy Hofsess with any questions.
Margo Adair’s Passing
In September, Seattle lost a powerful voice for social justice with the death of Margo Adair of cancer. Margo’s passionate and knowledgeable guidance served many communities, including the Anti-Racism Visioning Team. We are honored to have shared time with her and endeavor to carry forward the work she championed.
Gratitude to interview participants
The Visioning Team would like to express sincere and grateful thanks to students who participated in the interviews conducted by the Anti Racism Visioning Team consultants, in the summer of 2010. Your courage and willingness to talk about your experiences in our programs is a huge gift to the organization. Many, many thanks!The Anti racism visioning Team and consultants produced a report titled “Dismantling Institutionalized Racism - a Blueprint for Change in the Childbirth Professions.” A final copy of the report will be available here soon.
Visioning Team Project Phase One Conclusion
The Staff Team completed leadership training in the summer 2010 in an effort to gain enough skills to champion this work into the future and make the changes necessary to shift organizational structures as we move within a larger institution.
Next steps include:
- Finalizing and publishing the Report to our Community
- Continuing to develop relationships with allies within Bastyr and the larger community.
- Secure resources to support staff, faculty and student continuing development of awareness and skills.
Click here for a history of change efforts at former Seattle Midwifery School
Bastyr University Provost Announces Diversity Committee
Tim Callahan, Senior Vice President and Provost, announced in September the formation of an important new committee. The Diversity Committee will be responsible for designing and promoting a university-wide series of courses, workshops, and conversations on the topics of diversity, cultural competency and anti-racism. These topics have the potential to stimulate meaningful conversations throughout society at large but they are especially important areas of focus in institutions such as ours that purpose to “educate future leaders in the natural health arts and sciences.”
The Diversity Committee will build upon the efforts of the Bastyr University Cultural Awareness Task Force. Co-chairs include: Suzy Myers, LM, CPM, MPH, Chair of the Department of Midwifery; Susan Weider, MS, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students; Gerald Porter, PhD, Dean of the School of Natural Health Arts and Sciences; and Dan Rosen, PhD, Assistant Professor of Counseling and Health Psychology.
First Diversity Committee Event Invitation
Undoing Racism: An Interactive Workshop for the Bastyr University Community
Inaugural workshop held on Saturday, October 16, 2010
Next training dates TBA
Trainers:
Gerald Porter, Ph.D., Dean, School of Natural Health Arts and Sciences
Daniel Rosen, Ph.D., Core Faculty, Department of Health Psychology
Bastyr University Campus
FREE to members of the University community
(Pre-registration is required)The purpose of this training is to provide participants with a better understanding of racism and the insidious ways it continues to adversely impact our society. Most importantly, participants will learn how to effectively counteract racism and related kinds of bias both collectively and as individuals in our day-to-day encounters. The training will follow a workshop format and take an affirming and inclusive approach to a difficult topic. The goals of the training listed below will be pursued in an open and safe environment where participants can talk candidly about a challenging topic.
The workshop will . . .
- Deepen participant understanding of the nature and significance of racial and ethnic differences
- Provide clinicians with knowledge of how racism impacts access and quality of care
- Deepen educator insight into how racism impacts the learning environment
- Identify and counteract systemic and unconscious bias
- Offer practical tools to effectively counteract racism
Registration is limited. If you would like to attend, please send an e-mail by 5 PM Monday, October 11, to Department of Midwifery Administrative Assistant Gabriella Delgado at gdelgado@bastyr.edu. For questions regarding workshop topics, please contact Dr. Porter at gporter@bastyr.edu or Dr. Rosen at drosen@bastyr.edu.
Registered participants will be notified via e-mail by Wednesday, Oct 13.
2006 – Students confronted administration with news that institutional racism was a fact within Seattle Midwifery School (SMS) programs Midwifery Education Program and the Simkin School for Allied Birth Vocations. Students and stakeholders demanded issue be addressed.An all-school Change Team was formed including students, faculty & staff. Workgroups and Change Team meetings were at times very hard and painful, as well as exciting and encouraging, as the school community confronted racism and developed tools for change. An electronic survey was conducted with 95 respondents from a pool of staff, students and faculty.
2007 – Request for proposal to develop an anti-racism curriculum specific to the childbirth professions. First all- school antiracism training with professional trainers held over 2 full days. Faculty in-service training with visiting anti-racism expert from Smith College. Instituted a policy requiring all students to complete anti-racism training as a graduation requirement.
2008 - Second faculty in-service training.
2009 - First required student anti-racism training, two full days with professional trainers from the local social justice community. Grant of $10,000 funded by TEW Foundation titled “Dismantling Institutional Racism in Childbirth Education: A Blueprint for Change.” Created Visioning Team to create blue print for action to describe institutional change needed to create a socially just institution and students who are prepared to do this critical work through maternity care and social support to women and their families.
2010 – Visioning Team meets regularly establishing the foundation for the work ahead in this year: understanding assumptions, expectations and goals, identifying key stakeholders, data gathering, project coordination and process. Continued search for grant funding for next phase of project.
For information about upcoming workshop schedule, contact Dept of Midwifery Administrative Assistant Gabriella Delgado at gdelgado@bastyr.edu.
