April 4, 2024 | Taylor Graves - UConn School of Pharmacy

School of Pharmacy Diversity Week: Celebrating Diversity and Fostering Inclusion

The School of Pharmacy Diversity Week was revived this year after a five-year hiatus.

Medicinal Garden outside the School of Pharmacy on July 10, 2023. (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)

The School of Pharmacy Diversity Committee revived Diversity Week “with the aim of celebrating our richly diverse backgrounds, fostering inclusion, and cultivating a sense of belonging among all members of the community.” The co-chairs of the Diversity Committee Inclusion Subcommittee, Amy Nguyen and Angela Courgi, along with the support of faculty member, Chinenye Anyanwu, Diversity Committee advisor, and Pharmaceutical Fraternity Alpha Zeta Omega (AZO), organized a comprehensive week of multicultural events encompassing a variety of interests and educational experiences.

The week began with a multicultural dinner night with the 2024 School of Pharmacy’s Teacher of the Year, Youssef Bessada, Assistant Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice.  Students got the chance to learn more about Bessada’s career, his Egyptian culture, and try some of his favorite Egyptian food.

“To see so many students eager to learn about culture, family, and diversity was inspiring,” said Bessada. “Everything we do at the School of Pharmacy is interrelated and sets our students up to be the best clinicians possible. When we actively seek out knowledge about each other’s cultures, we learn more, and effectively, care more. That applies to healthcare; when we remember that every patient we help has their own story; we inevitably provide better care.”

Diversity Week Potluck

On Tuesday, the School’s clubs and organizations competed against each other in a basketball tournament and on Thursday students came together for a multicultural potluck where they could share their favorite dish from their culture.  Some of the fan favorites included a Filipino dish, chicken adobo, and a Ghanaian carrot cake.  The potluck was followed by a presentation from keynote speaker, Dr. Christopher Steele, Assistant Professor of Medicine, UConn Health.  Dr. Steele spoke about the importance of providing inclusive and equitable care by addressing patients’ unmet social needs.  “Equitable care arises from a profound understanding of the patient’s journey and the challenges they’ve encountered in accessing it,” said Dr. Steele. He also reflected on some of his personal experiences with understanding the social determinants of health and the impact they had on his personal and professional growth.

“I fondly remember how wonderful this event was as a student, so seeing the tradition return was a great full circle moment,” said Anyanwu. “I’m very proud of our student leaders on the Diversity Committee and AZO for all of their hard work to make this event a success. They truly modeled the spirit of collaboration and support that’s essential to advance DEI within pharmacy.”

“We believe that everyone’s participation in Diversity Week offered invaluable insights and perspectives,” said Courgi. “It also sent a resounding message of support for diversity and inclusion within our pharmacy community!”