Diversity Awareness Partnership Conducts Unconscious Bias Training for SIUE Schools of Pharmacy and Nursing
The regionally acclaimed Diversity Awareness Partnership (DAP) discussed ways to lessen prejudice at the Unconscious Bias Training workshop held Thursday, Sept. 21 for faculty and staff in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Schools of Pharmacy (SOP) and Nursing (SON).
The SOP and SON Diversity and Inclusion Committees collaborated to offer the training for healthcare faculty and staff.
Among other things, DAP used real-world examples to demystify the elusive concept of unconscious bias.
“At SIUE, we are deeply committed to valuing diversity and inclusion,” said Gireesh Gupchup, PhD, dean of the SIUE SOP. “Through this workshop, the Schools of Pharmacy and Nursing decided to lead in reducing unconscious bias to create a better environment for our students, faculty, staff and patients.”
“The program proved to be invaluable for bringing awareness of how unconscious bias can impact interpersonal communications,” said Laura Bernaix, PhD, dean of the SIUE SON. “Ms. (Catrina) Salama stimulated thoughtful reflection and empowered faculty to consciously consider their impact on promoting an inclusive environment.”
Salama, DAP education and training manager, shared up-to-date research on biases and had participants take part in exercises.
“Due to the current climate in our region and beyond, this training was both timely and vital to help uncover those unknown biases and preferences we may have that affect our actions and how we respond to others,” said Lakesha Butler, PharmD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and a member of the University Diversity Council.
“The speaker clearly prefaced how everyone has biases, and the emotion of fear is most tied to bias,” continued Butler. “She gave us thought-provoking information and examples of biases, stereotypes, microaggressions and microinequities, and provided ways to mitigate unconscious bias suited for our personal environments.”
The program’s purpose was to bring healthcare colleagues together to listen, talk and learn how unconscious bias can affect daily interactions with students, colleagues and patients.
“The timing of this training for faculty and staff was excellent,” said Jerrica Ampadu, PhD, assistant professor in SON and diversity and inclusion coordinator. “The University climate is being impacted by the current sociopolitical climate.
“As faculty, we need to understand the impact of unconscious bias in the classroom, and in our day-to-day interactions,” added Ampadu. “Our realities are shaped by our experiences. We can no longer mask the assumptions that we see the same things.”
Another training session will be held in the spring.
Photos:
Catrina H. Salama, DAP education and training manager and SIUE alum, talks frankly about bias at the Sept. 21 training for healthcare faculty.
L-R: Taking part in the training are Dr. Lakesha Butler, clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and a member of the University Diversity Council; Angela Andrews and Jennifer Hoxey, both instructors in SON Department of Primary Care.
