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Archived News from the URSMD Diversity Office

2016 URSMD Faculty Diversity Award Announced at September Convocation

Dr. Diane MorseDr. Diane Morse, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Medicine, and Director of the Women’s Initiative Supporting Health (WISH) is the recipient of the 2016 URSMD Faculty Diversity Award. Dr. Morse has “been a champion promoting the health and well-being of justice involved women” since joining the Department of Psychiatry. As Director of the Women’s Initiative Supporting Health (WISH), a research and primary care project that provides healthcare services to women who have reentered the community after a period of incarceration, she has helped many women who are often underserved by the healthcare system. Such patients are particularly vulnerable to serious health challenges and Dr. Morse is known for her compassionate, patient-centered care. As one nominator put it, “she gives voice and attention to an often forgotten segment of our community – incarcerated and justice-involved women, who are often women of color, who have suffered abuse and poverty along their trajectory to jail or prison.”
Dr. Morse’ passion doesn’t stop at caring for some of our most marginalized and disenfranchised patients. She also serves as an active mentor to undergraduate, graduate and medical school students and has inspired students to pursue clinical research. One former student wrote that her mentorship allowed him to develop skills and autonomy that “fostered [his] interest in medicine and … has motivated [him] to pursue a career as a physician-researcher, with specific interests in community health and quality improvement.”
Dr. Morse sustains a commitment to diversity and through her example encourages others to do the same. The 2016 Faculty Diversity Award celebrates her commitment and passion, recognizing her valuable contributions to underserved patients in our community and to those who have the privilege to work with her.

Addisu Mesfin and the Nth Dimension

Dr. Addisu MesfinUniversity of Rochester Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery, Addisu Mesfin, MD, was recently featured on WXXI News for his work with the Nth Dimension, a program designed to help increase the numbers of minorities and women in medicine. You can find the full story here.

 

Resident Amber Robins Speaks Out About Being a Minority in Medicine

Dr. Amber RobinsUniversity of Rochester School of Medicine graduate and resident in Family Medicine Amber Robins is doing a rotation in New York City with ABC News. She recently spoke out about her experience being an underrepresented minority doctor with ABC News.

Vankee Lin is "Brilliant New Investigator"

Dr. Vankee LinUniversity of Rochester Assistant Professor of Nursing Feng (Vankee) Lin, PhD, RN, will be presented with the Brilliant New Investigator Award from the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS) in September for her research focusing on cognitive decline in older populations and those at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Dr. Lin's upcoming honor was featured in @Rochester in August.

Medina-Walpole Joins URMC's Roster of ELAM Fellows

Dr. Annette Medina-WalpoleAnnette Medina-Walppole, MD, has been selected for the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program at Drexel University for the 2016-17 academic year. The one-year fellowship focuses on leadership training for women in academic medicine. Dr. Medina-Walpole joins an impressive list of medical center women who have participated in the program, including Vivian Lewis, MD, (UR Vice Provost for Faculty Development and Diversity) Linda Chaudron, MD, MS (URMC Associate Vice President and Senior Associate Dean for Inclusion and Culture Development), and others. See the complete story in the Faculty@ archives.

Resident Amber Robins Spotlighted in Family Medicine Newsletter

Amber Robins

Amber Robins, MD, a resident in the URMC Department of Family Medicine, was recently highlighted in the department's newsletter. Dr. Robins in active in the URMC Association of Minority Residents and Fellows and has a special interest in health communication and diversity in medicine. The complete Resident Spotlight article is available online.

Did Caitlyn Jenner Help or Hinder the Trans Revolution?

John Cullen, PhD, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Clinical & Translational Science Institute and Coordinator of Outreach for the Susan B. Anthony Center, is lead author on a Newsweek article addressing the question of whether Caitlyn Jenner's transition has helped or hindered the public's perceptions and opinions of transgender people. Dr. Cullen concludes, along with his co-author Nick Kasper '17, a program assistant at the Susan B. Anthony Center, that it has done both. Read the Newsweek article for more details.

Ovitt Receives Research Innovation Award

Catherine Ovitt, PhDCatherine Ovitt, PhD, associate professor of Biomedical Genetics in EIOH's Center for Oral Biology, has received a 2016 International Association for Dental Research Innovation in Oral Care Awards. The project will focus on limiting the incidence of radiation-induced xerostomia (dry mouth) to improve the quality of life for cancer patients.

Center for Community Health Receives National Recognition for Its Work with High Blood Pressure Collaborative

Andrea Clarke

Recently, the Rochester High Blood Pressure Collaborative, in which the Center for Community Health is a key partner, was recognized with the Innovation in Advancing Health Equity Award from the National Business Group on Health (NBGH). One of only four award given nationally, it honors the collaborative's efforts to improve high blood pressure control in high poverty neighborhoods and among communities of color. Read the story at the Finger Lakes Health Systems website.

UR Nursing Professor Presents
Research at the White House

LaRon NelsonLaRon E. Nelson, PhD, RN, FNP, a University of Rochester School of Nursing researcher specializing in HIV prevention and other sexually transmitted infections was a panelist at a White House symposium focused on reducing the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS in early March. For more on Dr. Nelson's research and the part he played on the White House panel, see the URMC Newsroom.

Presidential Commission on Race and Diversity

On November 23, President Seligman announced the creation of the Presidential Commission on Race and Diversity. In January, three Town Hall meetings were held at the medical center (January 6, 18 and 19), and all had great attendance by students, faculty and staff. If you were unable to attend or would like to see other Town Hall meetings, you can link to written transcripts at the Commission website. The Commission website also contains contact information and the latest news.

Kathy Rideout Earns 2016 Presidential Diversity Award

Kathy RideoutKathy Rideout, Dean of the UR School of Nursing, received one of three Presidential Diversity Awards recently. The award recognizes the accomplishments of those who contribute to inclusion and diversity through exemplary leadership. More on Dr. Rideout's accomplishments and the Presidential Diversity Award can be found here.

 

Actions Speak Louder at the URSMD

white coats for black livesOn December 10, 2015, medical students, members of the URSMD administration, physicians, faculty, staff, undergraduate students, and members from the Rochester community joined together and stood shoulder to shoulder to fight against recial discrimination and to hold the School of Medicine and Dentistry accountable to taking action to support their stated commitment to diversity and inclusion. Guylda Richard, MS2, president of the local Student National Medical Association (SNMA), and others presented the administration, including Dean and CEO of the Medical Center, Dr. Mark Taubman, with a list of Recommended Corrective Actions. Here is some of the media coverage received for the event:

Democrat and Chronicle
Twitter.com
 

URMC's Adam Anolik Honored for Support of People with Disabilities

Adam AnolikAdam Anolik, associate vice president of the Medical Center, has been awarded the Outstanding Community Partner Award from Starbridge for his commitment to supporting people with disabilities. For more information about the award and the award ceremony, see the November 17 @Rochester article.

SMD Student David Paul (MD '16) Presented National Award at AAMC Conference November 9

David PaulDavid Paul, a medical student who expects to graduate in May, has garnered a prestigious national award, the National Cadbury Award for Academic and Volunteer Achievements. Paul was honored November 9, 2016, at the annual AAMC conference in Baltimore, for creating and completing a research project that could lead to effective treatments for a number of diseases and injuries that affect the white matter of the brain. The award also recognizes and honors his extensive community service in Rochester with at-risk high school students. The complete story can be found in the November 9 @Rochester.

URMC Faculty Help Underrepresented Students Earn Advanced Math Degrees

Biostat GPG Group2

Drs. Sally Thurston, David Oakes, Michael McDermott, and Ollivier Hyrien from the Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology are mentors for the National Alliance for Doctoral Studies in the Mathematical Sciences (the “Math Alliance”), an NSF-funded community of mathematical sciences faculty and students. One goal of the Math Alliance is to "be sure that every underrepresented or underserved American student with the talent and the ambition has the opportunity to earn a doctoral degree in a mathematical science." Membership in the Math Alliance has grown to 514 faculty mentors from more than 175 colleges and universities in 2014-15. The number of student scholars has grown to 1565 over this same period. Our faculty became recognized as a Graduate Program Group (GPG) of the Math Alliance in October 2015 because they have sufficient numbers of senior members to mentor many underrepresented minority graduate students, and they have committed themselves to a set of best practices. As a result of becoming a GPG, a web page devoted to the Biostatistics graduate program has been added to the Math Alliance website, and the success of their GPG application will be announced at the Alliance’s upcoming annual Field of Dreams conference.

John Cullen Recognized for LGBT Equality Advocacy
Dr. John P. Cullen

John P Cullen, PhDJohn P. Cullen, PhD, has been recognized for his commitment to LGBT rights in the Rochester community. Dr. Cullen, a medical researcher in the Department of Surgery and coordinator of outreach for the University of Rochester Susan B. Anthony Center, chairs the Pride Alliance at the University of Rochester. He also takes an active role in Safe Space training on campus, and has effectively negotiated policy change by bringing together various constituencies and by providing a voice for those who often are not empowered to speak on their own behalf due to stigma, shame or fear of reprisal. He was recently named one of 25 community champions for LGBT Equality in Western New York by the Empire State Pride Agenda and honored for his commitment to LGBT rights at a ceremony on May 16. Dr. Cullen, a tireless advocate, also received the 2014 University of Rochester Presidential Diversity Award.

Susan McDaniel Elected 2016 President of American Psychological Association

Susan McDaniel, PhDSusan H. McDaniel, PhD, the Dr. Laurie Sands Distinguished Professor of Families & Health in the department of Psychiatry, has been elected 2016 president of the American Psychological Association (APA). She will serve as the APA's president-elect in 2015. You will find more information in the complete online article.

Nancy Chin Named 2014 URSMD Diversity Awardee

Nancy ChinDuring the September 2014 University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry's annual Convocation, Dean Mark Taubman awarded the 2014 URSMD Diversity Award to Nancy P. Chin, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences, Medical Humanities, and the Center for Community Health. Dr. Chin has been part of the University of Rochester community for many years, receiving her master's in anthropology, master's in public health, and her PhD in anthropology from the U of R. As one faculty commented, Dr. Chin "has long been an advocate and champion of diversity and inclusion at the University and in the greater Rochester community." She is an accomplished teacher, researcher and mentor with a longstanding commitment to a breadth of diversity and inclusion topics and programs.

Dr. Chin has worked closely for many years with the School of Medicine and Dentistry Center for Advocacy, Community Health, Education, and Diversity (CACHED), the Science Technology Entry Program (STEP), and the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF). Her community service includes serving on the Board of Directors for Foodlink, the Health Policy Board for Head Start Rochester, the Community Advisory Board for Step by Step Programming for Incarcerated Women, and the Health Committee for the HOPE project in Haiti.

In all her work, both at the university and in the community, Dr. Chin remains cognizant of the importance of diversity and equity in teaching and in all her interactions with students, colleagues and community members. She also serves as a catalyst to encourage others to examine their own biases.

This award recognizes her impact on the medical school community and, ultimately, the quality and equity of healthcare delivery to all people.

Diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism are critical to the vitality and success of a thriving medical school community. Inaugurated in 2013, the URSMD Faculty Diversity Award recognizes the exceptional contributions and accomplishments of medical school faculty to fostering a diverse and inclusive medical school community. Recipients demonstrate this commitment through leadership in recruitment and retention efforts, teaching, mentoring, research, multi-cultural programming, cultural competency, community outreach activities and/or other initiatives. Award recipients are honored during the URSMD Convocation and other occasions. The recipients' names are added to an award plaque in the medical school.

Meet 2014 ELAM Fellow at Drexel, Adrienne Bonham

Adrienne Bonham, MDAdrienne D. Bonham, MD, is participating as a fellow in this year's Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program at Drexel University College of Medicine.

ELAM is a selective, one-year program dedicated to preparing women for senior leadership roles in academic health science institutions. Bonham is an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

John P. Cullen, PhD Receives 2014 Presidential Diversity Award

John Cullen, PhDOne Presidential Diversity Award came to the University of Rochester Medical Center this year. John P. Cullen, PhD (pictured at left), a Research Associate Professor of Surgery, won the award for his strong commitment to human rights, social justice and diversity. He chairs the Pride Alliance at the University of Rochester, takes an active role in Safe Space training on campus, and has effectively negotiated policy change by bringing together various constituencies and by providing a voice for those who often are not empowered to speak on their own behalf due to stigma, shame or fear of reprisal. In nominating Dr. Cullen for the award, one person wrote that "John demonstrates a sustained interest and commitment to creating a more inclusive environment. While his primary efforts have focused on LGBT equality and inclusion, he is truly an advocate for diversity and equity for all members of our community.

The medical center also had two other nominees. The Transgender HealthCARE Conference Planning Committee (Linda Chaudron, MD, MS; John Cullen, PhD; Sharon Glezen, MD; Suzanne Piotrowski, MD; Craig Sellers, PhD; Daryl Sharp, PhD; and Grace Fuller) was nominated for their "recognizing the critical unmet healthcare needs of transgender individuals" and addressing those disparities with a conference in March 2013. Amina Alio, MD, was nominated for her leadership role in several community and national groups that provide a voice for diverse and often marginalized populations.

3rd Year Med Student Presents Poster at NHMA Conference in March 2014

Nallely Saldana-Ruiz, MS3, presented a poster titled The Affordable Care Act & Best Practices in Health Care for Hispanics, co-authored by Robert Fortuna, MD, (Med-Peds attending URMC-Culver Group) at the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) Conference in Washington, DC, from March 26-30. As part of a national mentorship/leadership training program with the NHMA, Nallely was selected and paired with Dr. Fortuna to create a research project and community health experience.

The poster is the culmination of that association and work over the past two years with the Culver Group. It includes data from Nallely's weekly participation with the Rochester Diabetes Prevention Program. The poster presents preliminary data on the outcomes of the diabetes prevention intervention program implemented at the Culver Group. It focuses on the health outcomes of participants by age, gender, race, and pre-intervention weight, BMI, as well as data on blood cholesterol and blood glucose. Nallely has received national recognition for her work on the project. Dr. Cheryl Kodjo is her educational Advisory Dean.

Ob/Gyn Fellow Receives NHMA Award for Work in Hispanic Community

Jorge F. Carrillo, MD, an AAGL/SRS Fellow in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was selected earlier this year for an National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) Award for his work in pelvic pain with the Hispanic community. Most of his patients suffer with chronic pelvic pain caused by conditions such as endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, myofascial pain syndrome, pudendal neuralgia and other abdominal wall neuropathies, fibroid uterus, and other chronic pelvic pain conditions. The award was given at the NHMA Conference in Washington, DC, in March 2014. About the award, Dr. Carrillo writes, "This only stimulates me to continue working harder im making chronic pelvic pain a condition that is well understood and treated." Dr. Carrillo is from Colombia, South America, and did his residency at Rochester General Hospital.

New URSMD Diversity Award Established

Jonathan MinkKevin FiscellaDiversity, inclusion and multiculturalism are critical to the vitality and success of a thriving medical school community. Established in 2013, the URSMD Faculty Diversity Award recognizes the exceptional contributions and accomplishments of medical school faculty to fostering a diverse and inclusive medical school community. Recipients demonstrate this commitment through leadership in recruitment and retention efforts, teaching, mentoring, research, multi-cultural programming, cultural competency, community outreach activities and /or other initiatives.

This year's recipients, Jonathan Mink, MD, PhD, (above left) and Kevin Fiscella, MD, MPH (above right) were honored at the 2013 Convocation on September 12.

Presidential Diversity Awardees for 2012-2013 Announced

Two Presidential Diversity Awards came to the University of Rochester Medical Center this year. Lynn Maquate, PhD won the award for her work with Graduate Women in Medicine and the URMC Teen Health and Success Partnership (led by Dr. Suzanne Piotrowski) won for their excellent program. The medical center also had three other nominees -- Child Neurology led by Jonathan Mink, the AIDS Clinical Trials Unit, and Harold Smith, PhD.

PhD.Transgender HealthCARE Conference Presentation Slides Now Online

Transgender HealthCARE: Transitioning, Transcending and Teaching our Community, a medical conference addressing the disparities specific to transgender individuals by educating the medical community about their particular healthcare needs was held on Friday, March 1, at the University of Rochester Saunders Research Building. Nearly 200 people attended plenary lectures and several afternoon workshops. The conference addressed a critical need in the healthcare community. Presentation slides from the plenary lectures and the workshops are now available on the conference website. Just scroll down the left hand menu bar and click on "Presentations" to access them.

Jimena Cubillos Named New Director of Latino Health Pathway

Jimena Cubillos, MD, Assistant Professor of Urology, has been named the new Director of the Latino Health Pathway beginning this year. The Pathway in Latino Health began 9 years ago as an idea by two first-year medical students, Adrienne Allen and Brooke Shuster. They had both spent time in Spanish-speaking underserved areas abroad, and they wanted to learn about Latino culture, improve their medical Spanish, and understand more about the health needs of the Latino community in Rochester.

When the Latino Health Pathway started, no one knew it would evolve and grow as it has. Each year, committed students have continued to work with the Latino community and various organizations and health care clinics. The LHP is a good program that will get even better under the new director. Dr. Cubillos is fluent in Spanish, and is personally and professionally connected with Latino culture and health in the Rochester community. She is the only Hispanic pediatric urologist in the area.

John Cullen Receives Distinguished Leadership Award

Dr. John CullenJohn Cullen, PhD, Research Associate Professor of Surgery, recently received recognition for his outstanding contributions toward cultural awareness in the Rochester community with a Distinguished Leadership Award given by the American Heart Association. It recognizes his efforts to improve the quality of life and health in our area. Dr. Cullen, who studies the effects of alcohol on atherosclerosis and immune responses, has worked with the AHA for the pat four years and most recently served as board president for the Rochester region His contributions include collaborating with URMC medical students to develop materials on cardiovascular health to be used at free clinics and address LGBT healthcare disparities.

2012-2013 Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM)

Yuhchyau ChenYuhchyau Chen, MD, PhD, Philip Rubin Professor and chair of Radiation Oncology at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, has been accepted as a Fellow in the 2012-2013 Class of the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program for Women at Drexel University College of Medicine. Chen was nominated for the honor by Mark B. Taubman, MD, dean of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Read more
For more information on ELAM, click here.

New Work-Life Balance Website Launches

The University now hosts a Work-Life Balance website that lists several resources related to family care, wellness, perks and community information. Home to over 65 links on topics ranging from dual career assistance for faculty, to elder care information to laundry and massage services, the website's goal is to help faculty and staff manage their personal and professional lives in support of a healthy work-life balance. Visit the Work-Life Balance website.

UR Boosts Faculty Diversity, Report Shows

The results of the 2011 Annual Faculty Diversity Initiative Assessment are in and university efforts to create more diversity in the faculty are producing results. The Rochester Business Journal recently recognized these efforts. You may link to the article here.

Nursing Practice Diversity Book Club

An outgrowth of the Nursing Diversity Task Force, the Nursing Practice Diversity Book Club meets approximately every other month at noon. It welcomes interested participants from all departments. Books are selected by those participants who attend the facilitated discussions and participants are welcome to bring a lunch. For more information, contact Cindy Berry at 275-5449 or cindy_berry@urmc.rochester.edu.

Congratulations to Lynne E. Maquat, PhD

The Office for Diversity congratulates University of Rochester Medical Center Professor Lynne E. Maquat, PhD, who has been elected a member of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences.Read more about Lynne's election.