Racial Equity

Historically, underserved and underrepresented populations have been excluded from neurological research, affecting the translation of findings into clinical practice. Gloria Annette Aguirre ’23 proposes best practices based on experiences with local community organizations and collaboration efforts to increase participation from underrepresented populations.

Sagal Ali ’23 works in community engagement for Ayada Leads, an organization committed to inspiring Diaspora women, particularly Somalis, to lead and create change in their communities by showing that passionate, committed community activists have the skills and talent needed to be in public office.

Angela Echiverri ’18 co-authored a leadership pathways course to help underrepresented in medicine faculty hone their leadership skills and remove leadership barriers. The course is also meant to benefit allies who want to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment at their institutions.

Brenda Hughes ’21 is the Chief Equity Officer for the South Carolina Food Policy Council. She helps guide how the Council will center racial equity to ensure a more equitable and healthy food system in South Carolina.

Toyese Oyeyemi ’17 advocates for the need to have an honest conversation about race and its role in medicine because silencing conversations about systemic racism in health care and the healthcare workforce prevents progress from being made, and it is Black patients who are losing out.

Education of health care clinicians on racial and ethnic disparities in the United States has primarily focused on emphasizing statistics and cultural competency, with minimal attention to racism. Joedrecka Brown Speights ’17 was part of a team that created a relationship-based workshop and toolkit highlighting issues that medical educators should address when teaching about racism in the context of pernicious health disparities.

Bram Wispelwey ’20 and Michelle Morse wrote “An Antiracist Agenda for Medicine," advocating for comprehensive policy changes, increased representation of marginalized groups in the medical field, and the integration of antiracist principles in medical education and practice. The article calls for a collective effort to dismantle structural barriers and promote health equity so all patients receive fair and just care.