BMC Series - REACH Healthcare

BUILDING MAINSTREAM CHAMPIONS EDUCATIONAL SERIES

Join us for an illuminating journey through time as we uncover the origins of health disparities in the United States.

The Building Mainstream Champions Educational Series is a transformational six-part series that delves into the historical and systemic factors shaping health inequities among underrepresented and marginalized communities.

HOW DID WE GET HERE

A history of health inequities in the United States

The root cause of health inequity in the United States is intricately tied to structural racism. This educational series delves into stark disparities in morbidity and mortality among underrepresented communities, unraveling the historical and systemic facets of race(ism) in America. Moving beyond acknowledgment, it explores how race has been ingrained in American consciousness since the 16th century.

Join us as we deconstruct race, unpack systemic racism’s impact on health, reshape the narrative, and foster collective impact toward a healthier and more equitable future.

WHY ATTEND?

Gain a deeper understanding of the relationships between structural racism, history, and health outcomes.
Explore the mechanisms through which structural racism continues to shape our communities’ well-being and public health.
Move beyond awareness to action, fostering collective impact towards a healthier, more equitable future.

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Contextualize the historical and systemic nature of racism and bias in the United States.
Describe the relationship between race and health as an outcome of the intergenerational impact of historic structural racism.
Explain the mechanisms through which structural racism shapes health outcomes using the socio-ecological framework.
Integrate lessons learned within each participants’ scope of influence.

IN-PERSON LUNCH & LEARN DEBRIEFING SESSIONS

We go beyond just identifying the issue; we’re committed to helping you understand the historical and systemic roots of race and racism in America. By breaking down each concept of race in our debriefing sessions, we aim to develop a deeper awareness of how racism has become part of our society and ways to become better advocates and champions of change.

During each debriefing session, our panelists will use IPEC Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice and its guiding principles to provide an environment where everyone’s perspectives are heard and respected.

VALUES & ETHICS

Our panelists will share techniques to establish an environment grounded in shared values, ethical conduct, and mutual respect to ensure that everyone’s voices and perspectives are acknowledged.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

In addition, we will explore how various professions can contribute to effective care, programming and policy advocacy to promote overall health and well-being in their communities.

COMMUNICATION

Each debrief will address best practices that can be used to facilitate responsive, respectful, and compassionate discussions with patients, families, team members and the community.

TEAM & TEAMWORK

Best practices, shared values and principles of effective teamwork and collaboration will be provided to support your ongoing efforts to adapt your learning into your personal and professional life.

SPEAKERS

Shawn Leigh Alexander, Ph.D.

Dr. Shawn Leigh Alexander received his PhD from the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 2004. He is currently a Professor and Chair of African and African American Studies, as well as the director of the Langston Hughes Center at the University of Kansas. His research focuses on African American social and intellectual history of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Danielle Binion, Ed.D.

Dr. Danielle Binion is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Before joining the medical center, she served school districts in Kansas City for eight years through her work at PREP-KC, collaborating with various institutions and businesses to strengthen the workforce pipelines in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine.

Nicole Garner, MBA

Nicole Garner is the executive director of the Center for African American Health, with a background in health care leadership and a passion for uplifting underserved communities. Prior to this role, she spent 15 years in the long-term care industry, showcasing adept budget management skills and consistent leadership.

Jason Glenn, Ph.D.

Dr. Jason E. Glenn is an associate professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center, researching health inequities, mass incarceration, U.S. drug policy history, and the ethics of human subject research. He co-directs the REPAIR Project at KUMC and previously spent 12 years at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Toya Like, Ph.D.

Dr. Toya Like is an Associate Dean and Professor in the Criminal Justice and Criminology Department at UMKC. Her research focuses on risks for violent victimization and intersections of inequality on crime and justice-related outcomes. She also teaches theoretical criminology and race, class, and justice at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Jerrihlyn McGee, DNP, RN, CNE

Dr. Jerrihlyn L. McGee is the vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer at KU Medical Center. She is also a nurse and clinical associate professor at KU School of Nursing. Dr. McGee has extensive leadership experience and focuses on improving patient outcomes, staff satisfaction, and community health events. She also addresses diversity, systemic racism, and serves the surrounding communities.

Jill Peltzer, Ph.D.

Dr. Peltzer is a health equity researcher specializing in structural racism, stress pathways, and health outcomes among Black and African American families. She is a qualitative methodologist who employs participatory research methods grounded in shared power, shared decision-making, and trust. Dr. Peltzer holds the role of Associate Director for Service at the newly launched Center for African American Health and serves as Co-Lead of the Community Engagement Function at the KU Frontiers Clinical and Translational Science Institute. Additionally, she is the Consortium Retention and Health Equity Lead for the All of Us Heartland Consortium.

Christina Pacheco, JD, MPH

Christina M. Pacheco, JD, MPH, (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health with a secondary appointment in Population Health. She holds a JD from William Mitchell College of Law and an MPH from the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). Currently pursuing an interdisciplinary PhD, she has over 14 years of experience in public health, policy, and law, with a focus on developing tailored interventions in tobacco, environmental health, healthy eating, and physical activity. Her research centers on health inequities faced by Indigenous, Latino, and rural communities, examining the impact of social determinants on their health.

Sharla Smith, Ph.D., MPH

Dr. Sharla Smith holds a Ph.D. in Health Systems and Services Research with a focus on Health Economics. Her research centers on maternal and infant health disparities, women’s cancer disparities, and community engagement. She has experience in data analysis and teaching public health courses, and is dedicated to promoting birth equity through community engagement and education.

Nicholas Mitchell, Ph.D.

Nicholas Ensley Mitchell joined the KU faculty in the fall of 2020. He earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Louisiana State University in 2016. He is a curriculum theorist whose scholarship focuses on the intersection of education theory, policy, and practice. His public scholarship focuses on anti-bigotry and issues of diversity.

About KU Center for African American Health

The Center for African American Health at KU Medical Center launched in 2023, following years of dialogue and collaboration with valued community partners. The Center strives to be the leading transformational force of community empowerment for health equity.