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Health Sciences community to host several WVU Diversity Week events

Health Sciences community to host several WVU Diversity Week events

The West Virginia University Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host its annual Diversity Week Sunday, Sept. 17, through Saturday, Sept. 23. The annual week aims to create an atmosphere that provides the WVU community with the opportunity to explore different cultures, engage in discussions that bring new perspectives, and celebrate the presence of our uniqueness in the entire WVU System.

Diversity Week 2023 is being held in conjunction with Global Health Week hosted by the School of Medicine Global Health Program and Health Sciences Global Engagement Office.

Learn more about Diversity Week events supported by the Health Sciences community below:

Sunday, Sept. 17

  • Community Heroes Award Ceremony and Reception; 6-8 p.m.; Mountainlair Ballrooms; The award’s first honoree, Charlene Marshall, will speak about her achievements in diversity work within West Virginia. Marshall became the state's first African American female mayor in 1991 and later served 14 years in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Monday, Sept. 18 – Friday, Sept. 22

  • Helping People Help People: Caring for Our Community Experiencing Homelessness; HSC-South 6th Floor; Donation drive to collect supplies to support the efforts of MUSHROOM (Multidisciplinary UnSheltered Homeless Relief Outreach of Morgantown), an organization bringing together volunteers to reach individuals experiencing homelessness and offer the basics of care. Presented by the School of Nursing.

Monday, Sept. 18

  • Storytelling with the Country Roads Program; 1:30-3 p.m.; Mountainlair Mountaineer Room; The Country Roads Program prepares students with disabilities for independence by providing academic courses, social engagement and real-world work experiences. Hear stories from students in the program and learn about the Peer Mentor program. Presented by the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities.
  • I Can’t Breathe; 3 p.m.; Zoom; A history of disparities for underserved populations in oxygen production, distribution and healthcare workforce needs exploring the origins of the disparity and its historical development over the years in Banjul, the Gambia. Presented by Oluwakemi Tomobi, MD, Clinical Research Scientist, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine.

Tuesday, Sept. 19

  • Art & Music from Around the World; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Pylons Commons; Enjoy international works of art (such as baskets, headdresses and painting) and their stories and live music from the home countries of our Health Sciences community members. Presented by the Office of Research and Graduate Education and Operation Blue Sky.
  • A Taste of OLLI Open House; 3 p.m.; Zoom; Designed for adults 50 and over, learn about OLLI and its lectures, workshops, discussion groups and social activities. RSVP online. Presented by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at WVU.

Wednesday, Sept. 20

  • WVU Medicine Farmers Market; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; WVU Eye Institute parking area; International food trucks vendors including Bombay Grill, Stray Cat Chimmi Shack, Rollie Pollie Egg Roll Factory and Sundae Driver providing tasty lunch options and a great environment to connect with the Health Sciences community.
  • Irving Goodman Aging Lecture; 1 p.m.; Mountaineer Mall and Zoom; Christy Kunkle, professor in the Department of Communication Studies, will present “Strengthening Families Through Our Differences,” exploring the dynamics of family communications. Register online. Presented by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at WVU.
  • OLLI Open House; 2 p.m.; Mountaineer Mall; Following the Irving Goodman Aging Lecture, learn about the OLLI program and register for fall classes designed for adults 50 and over. RSVP online. Presented by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at WVU.

Thursday, Sept. 21

  • CAARES House; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Pharmacy Skills Lab, HSC-North 3000; Explore the impact of social determinants of health and unique experiences to become a healthcare professional who CAARES (Curiosity, Accountability, Appreciation, Respect, Empathy and Service). Attend throughout the day at your own convenience. Presented by the Office of Interprofessional Education.
  • Cupcakes and Music; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Pylons Commons; Presented by the School of Medicine.
  • Ethnic Hair Presentation; 4-5 p.m.; Zoom; Discuss the importance of not discriminating against patients and healthcare workers with natural hair and hair products provided in healthcare facilities. Presented by Kali Fischer and Ateria Walker, School of Nursing.

Saturday, Sept. 23

  • OLLI Open House; 10 a.m.; Schoenbaum Center, Charleston; Learn about the OLLI program and register for fall classes designed for adults 50 and over. RSVP online. Presented by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at WVU.