{"id":212161,"date":"2024-04-04T12:43:43","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T16:43:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=212161"},"modified":"2025-09-09T15:05:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T19:05:53","slug":"school-of-pharmacy-diversity-week-celebrating-diversity-and-fostering-inclusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2024\/04\/school-of-pharmacy-diversity-week-celebrating-diversity-and-fostering-inclusion\/","title":{"rendered":"School of Pharmacy Diversity Week: Celebrating Diversity and Fostering Inclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

The week began with a multicultural dinner night with the 2024 School of Pharmacy\u2019s Teacher of the Year, Youssef Bessada, Assistant Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice.\u00a0 Students got the chance to learn more about Bessada\u2019s career, his Egyptian culture, and try some of his favorite Egyptian food.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo see so many students eager to learn about culture, family, and diversity was inspiring,\u201d said Bessada. \u201cEverything 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\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"students
Diversity Week Potluck<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On Tuesday, the School\u2019s 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.\u00a0 Some of the fan favorites included a Filipino dish, chicken adobo, and a Ghanaian carrot cake.\u00a0 The potluck was followed by a presentation from keynote speaker, Dr. Christopher Steele, Assistant Professor of Medicine, UConn Health.\u00a0 Dr. Steele spoke about the importance of providing inclusive and equitable care by addressing patients\u2019 unmet social needs.\u00a0 “Equitable care arises from a profound understanding of the patient’s journey and the challenges they’ve encountered in accessing it,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI fondly remember how wonderful this event was as a student, so seeing the tradition return was a great full circle moment,\u201d said Anyanwu. \u201cI\u2019m 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\u2019s essential to advance DEI within pharmacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe that everyone’s participation in Diversity Week offered invaluable insights and perspectives,\u201d said Courgi. \u201cIt also sent a resounding message of support for diversity and inclusion within our pharmacy community!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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