The COPH 2024 DEIA Convenings

A Commitment to Co-learning and Planning

The COPH DEIA Committee began meeting in September 2023. The Committee decided to use 2024 as a period of learning and planning. To begin the planning process the Committee chose to implement four DEIA Convenings.

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The DEIA Convenings are meant to:

Facilitate a process of gathering historical and present-day information, i.e., a form of background research.
Center co-learning where the committee is gathering needed information with others who are at the forefront of community issues, population health research, past and present-day activities/ initiatives addressing diversity and inclusion; active programs sponsored by campus units; and guidance from leaders within and beyond the COPH setting.
Ensure a rapid uptake of knowledge within a short period of time while using resources efficiently. A rapid assessment is important where there is a long history of workshops, meetings, reports, and action plans. The DEIA Committee of the COPH hopes to generate momentum and move forward while also taking account of what has already occurred.
Produce greater comprehension on topics related to inclusion and diversity occurring within populations that make up UNM, Health Sciences, and communities external to the institution that have been witness to past and present-day oppression.

DEIA Convenings Format:

Convenings of 90 to 120 minutes are hosted online to maximize participation.
Presentations at each Convening are by invitation pending submission and review of a description of the content.
Presentations range from 10 - 14 minutes and may include relevant data, research, programming, or activities related to a topic. Topics may cover non-medical determinants of health (i.e., housing, employment, education, economic development, or environmental justice).
Other presentations may represent the social sciences/humanities and include narratives, messages or a vision of social justice, equity and impacts on marginalized communities.
For each Convening, the DEIA Committee will gather information and issue a report (fact sheet, briefing, or summary) outlining findings, further actions, gaps in knowledge, and additional questions.

DEIA CONVENINGS & GOALS

Cultural Humility & Native Americans
January 26, 2024 - 2 to 4 p.m.

Featuring Norman Cooeyate, MCRP - Tribal Relations Liaison UNM Center for Native American Health

Goal: To promote health equity and health care management and healing with American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) through Cultural Humility.

Objectives:

To describe Native American populations, cultural characteristics & history.
To define barriers Native Americans face in accessing health care.
To offer strategies for practicing cultural humility in cross-cultural health care and research settings.

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Black Health & Social Issues
February 22, 2024 - 3 to 5 p.m.

The Agenda for Equity

Goal: To learn about health and social issues of importance to the African American community exploring the intersection of health with structural factors including social, political, and economic issues in New Mexico.

Objectives:

To describe the political determinants of health for African Americans in New Mexico.
To explore the disparities in homeownership for African Americans in the region.
To discuss the infant and maternal health disparities for African American women in New Mexico.
To examine behavioral health needs and resources for African Americans in the region.
To learn about the NM Black Education Act (BEA) and its impact.

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Neurodiversity and Accessibility in Higher Education
March 22, 2024 - 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Featuring Katie Rose Guest Pryal, JD, PhD - University of North Carolina School of Law, author of "A Light in the Tower"

Goal: To become an institution that embraces practices and innovations that will position COPH as neurodiversity inclusion leaders and a destination system for neurodivergent people.

Objectives:

To discuss the history and definition of neurodiversity as well as the prevalence of neurodivergent conditions.
To provide examples of classroom and learning accommodations for neurodivergent students.
To describe instructional practices and policies that support neurodiversity in higher education.

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Hispanic/Latinx Issues & Spanish Language
April 23, 2024 - 3 to 5 p.m.

Structural, Systems, & Health Issues

Goal: To learn about health and social issues of importance to the Hispanic/Latinx community centering health, environmental justice, and educational systems internal and external to UNM.

Objectives:

To describe justice issues associated with the natural environment including land, water and agriculture.
To describe the NM Bilingual Multicultural Education Act and the NM Hispanic Educational Act in Higher Education.
To explore the representation of Hispanic cultural and health issues in trainings and courses including language issues.
To discuss differences in identification within Hispanic/Latino Groups and Implications.
To explore UNM services and needs of Hispanic/Latino students.

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Sponsorship

Thank you to the people and organizations who are helping to bring these convenings to fruition. Your contributions make these efforts possible and we are incredibly grateful for your support and commitment to our cause.

Assata Zerai, Ph.D

Valerie Romero-Leggott, MD

Wish to support the DEIA Convenings? Please reach out to Associate Dean Lauri Andress via email at LAndress@salud.unm.edu.