2017 Diversity and Inclusion Conference focuses on caretakers

The 2017 Diversity and Inclusion Conference at the College of Health and Human Services was focused on Health and Well-Being within a Diverse Community. The biennial event, held in conjunction with the Burian University-Community Lecture Series, seeks to bring the University and community together to engage in conversations aimed at change.

Keynote speaker Edna Kane-Williams, who also delivered the Burian Lecture, continued her theme of building bridges for older adults in multicultural communities. She focused on the fact that we are living longer and longer, and as such, we must reconsider our notions about age and what is old. Her keynote, like the previous night's lecture, was engaging, insightful and suited for the interdisciplinary audience.

"This conference is also an expression of the college’s commitment to interprofessional education experiences," said Dr. Betty Dennis, chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. "Our theme, the keynote and the variety of professions and disciplines represented here all contribute to this as an interdisciplinary educational experience."

After the morning keynote, the conference included three concurrent morning sessions, lunch conversations and poster presentations, followed by more concurrent afternoon sessions.

The conference was wrapped up with a final, general session focused on racism in the health care workplace. The combination of lecture and roleplaying provided an engaging and thought-provoking close to the day's events.

In the end, nearly 100 people - CHHS faculty and students, along with practitioners and community members from the area - took part in the conference.

Student played out scenarios depicting racism in the workplace.