December 09, 2024
Conversation of Understanding on diversity in medicine is Dec. 11
A Conversation of Understanding on Wednesday, Dec. 11, will focus on enhancing inclusivity in the medical field.
The free, virtual session, hosted by the SIU School of Medicine, will include the documentary “Faces of Medicine,” which captures the stories of five Black female physicians in the United States. Their life stories will provide “a personal view into the respective paths of these women who are committed to taking care of their communities.” Faculty, staff, students, alumni, health care professionals and community members are invited to view the film and join discussion from noon to 1:15 p.m.
Participants include Dr. Khama Ennis, who spent 20 years as an emergency physician, including five years as chief of emergency medicine and medical director of Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s emergency department in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Ennis shifted her focus toward health equity and integrative health and developed “Faces of Medicine” to demonstrate the need for diverse representation in medicine, starting with increasing the numbers of Black female physicians, who account for just 2.8% of U.S. doctors. The documentary also tackles such issues as medical burnout and healing properties of cultural understanding.
- An interactive Q&A after the 45-minute film will examine ongoing and future initiatives within the SIU System to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in medicine and beyond.
Pre-registration is required:
- Register at com/events/faces-of-medicine-brg9nn.
- Participants will be prompted to create a password.
- Add the event to your calendar when you receive the registration email.
- Share the event with others.
For more information, contact Doris Williams at doris.williams@siu.edu.
The Conversation of Understanding series began in June 2020. This is the third session for the 2024-25 academic year. The SIU System President’s Office and the SIU System Diversity Advisory Council are discussion sponsors.