College of Medicine and Life Sciences

April 17: “Language of Diversity Lecture: Alex Lewin”

The College of Medicine and Life Sciences Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted a Language of Diversity lecture on Monday, April 17, 2023 at 6 p.m. via WebEx. 

Our guest speaker was Alex Lewin (she/her), who will discuss The University of Toledo processes for addressing complaints of discrimination and harassment made against students, and provide information about resources available on our campuses.

Alex is the Associate Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards at The University of Toledo. Originally from California, Alex received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts, her Master in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Leadership Studies at BGSU. Alex is passionate about supporting college students at all levels in making positive life decisions that aid them in attaining their academic, personal, and career goals.

March 20: “Language of Diversity Lecture: Alumnus Dr. Antonio Jackson”

The College of Medicine and Life Sciences Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted a Language of Diversity lecture on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 6 p.m. via WebEx. 

Our guest speaker was Dr. Antonio Jackson, UToledo alumnus from the M.D. Class of 2022. He is a current Emergency medicine Resident at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Jackson is from Stockbridge, GA by way of Virginia Beach, VA. He attended Morehouse College for his undergraduate education where he was able to pinpoint and further develop his passion for diversity and inclusion. Dr. Jackson received his Masters degree in Biomedical Sciences from Barry University in Miami, FL, before matriculating to UToledo for his medical education. 

It was here, at Barry University, where Dr. Jackson and two other classmates truly realized the difficulties many underrepresented minorites pursuing careers in medicine faced. Some of these difficulties included lack of mentorship, decreased level of support and belief from pre-medical advisors, and less access to necessary resources to be successful on this journey. 

Out of this realization, "Creating Opportunities for Diversity and Equity in Medicine" (Also known as C.O.D.E Med) was founded. It is Dr. Jackson's hope today to shed light on the importance and efficacy of longitudinal mentorship in URiM's and how this can improve equity in medicine.

Jan. 25: “Centering Disabled People in Healthcare”

The College of Medicine and Life Sciences Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted a Language of Diversity lecture on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. via WebEx. 

Lynn Lammers (she/her) is an educator, facilitator, and the Artistic Director of the Transforming Theatre Ensemble for Michigan State University's Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.

She presented “Centering Disabled People in Healthcare.”

Ms. Lammers writes, directs, and produces interactive theatre pieces that are used as a focal point for dialogue and learning. She is also the Director of the Transforming MSU Playwriting Fellowship, a yearlong experience for students who want to explore justice and liberation using theatre as a storytelling tool.  Ms. Lammers has presented her work on interactive theatre at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity; the International Globalization, Diversity, and Education Conference; and the LaMaMa Director's Symposium in Umbria, Italy. She is a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab and an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Jan. 25: “Trans Affirmative Healthcare Panel”

PEOPLE in Healthcare & UToledo Sexual Health Coalition presented this panel discussion on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. Healthcare professionals and LGBTQ+ folx about access to healthcare and providing affirmative care!

Dec. 21: “Respect: Where we were, where we are, & where we are going – Perspectives from Women Faculty”

The College of Medicine and Life Sciences Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted a discussion part of the Women in Medicine Diversity Panel Series on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022 at 6 p.m. via WebEx.

Panel:

Dr. Kimberly Jenkins
Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology

Dr. Elysia James
Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Assistant Professor and Associate Program Director, Department of Neurology
Neurocritical Care Staff Attending, UToledo Neurosciences

Dr. Shaza Aouthmany
Assistant Dean, Office of GME
Interim Designated Institutional Official (DIO)
Associate Professor and Associate Residency Program Director, Department of Emergency Medicine

Nov. 30: “How we address access to LGBTQIA+ Healthcare”

The College of Medicine and Life Sciences Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted an event part of its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Seminar Series on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022 at 6 p.m. via WebEx.

Dr. Michele Grim, Toledo City Councilwoman, presented this lecture, titled "How we address access to LGBTQIA+ Healthcare."

Dr. Grim is a public health advocate and educator who has spent her career helping communities strengthen access to medical care and respond effectively to public health emergencies. She is currently an at-large member of the Toledo City Council. She worked to establish Toledo City Council’s Health Promotion & Access Committee and leads the committee as chair. Her experience includes leading preventive healthcare initiatives as an epidemiologist and health educator, strengthening funding for community clinics and developing healthcare programs as a health planner, and public policy research and data analysis in the areas of health promotion and gun violence prevention. Her doctoral research examining Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) implementation was published in the June 2021 issue of the University of Minnesota’s Public Health Review. 

Dr. Grim has served in numerous capacities in the fight against HIV/AIDS, including working with AIDS Service Organizations in Toledo (Equitas Health) and Oakland, CA (AIDS Project East Bay) and with the Ohio HIV Evaluation and Training Project.

A committed leader in the struggle to end violence against women, Dr. Grim volunteered as a rape crisis counselor for ten years beginning in her teens, coordinated sexual assault education and prevention programs at the University of Toledo, volunteered as a health educator at Planned Parenthood’s Teen Clinic, and helped organize Toledo’s delegation to the March for Women’s Lives in Washington. She has since worked to fund healthcare and essential services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault as well as to promote trauma-informed crisis intervention training and more effective laws to stop domestic gun violence.

Dr. Grim earned her doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University. A Certified Health Education Specialist, she earned her bachelor’s degree in women and gender studies and her master’s in public health from the University of Toledo and a graduate certificate in sexual health from the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work. 

Oct. 12: “Dialogue for Empowerment: Navigating the Challenges of Education, Advocacy and Clinical Care in a Post Dobbs Landscape”

The College of Medicine and Life Sciences Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted a diversity townhall on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022 in person and via WebEx. 

The first in a series of "Dialogues for Empowerment," we provided information and encouraged meaningful discussion that allowed for all voices to be heard and conversations to be had about topics that impact the education of our learners and the care of the patients in our community. During this first dialogue, we discussed the implications of the recent Supreme Court decision (Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization) and discussed concrete actions that we can implement as we move forward our education, research and patient care missions.

Sept. 8: “Cultural Competence In Healthcare”

The College of Medicine and Life Sciences Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted a Language of Diversity lecture on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 at 5 p.m. via WebEx. 

Dr. Marvin Whitfield, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio and the Founder of the Blue Force Mobile Training Team, presented this lecture, which examines the impact of cultural competence training on healthcare delivery and outcomes. 

Before moving to the private & nonprofit sector, Dr. Whitfield served as a Team Leader and Senior Instructor on a Department of Defense contract and conducted numerous training missions for the United States Army Intelligence Center of Excellence Training Division. His previous work experience also included more than two decades of law enforcement, where he retired as a Police Commander.

Dr. Whitfield's educational background consists of a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Criminal Justice, a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration, and a Master of Business Administration: specializing in Human Resource Management and holds a certification in Psychology of Leadership. He serves his community as a Rotarian, a member of the Perrysburg Coalition for Inclusion and Social Justice, and a Special Deputy with the Wood County Sheriff's Office. Dr. Whitfield sits on of several committees whose mission centers around promoting social equality and youth resilience.