Equity

Portrait photo of Dr. Debora Kamin Mukaz

On the Price of Being a Black Scientist

2 Comments / Community, Office of Intercultural Excellence, Research

Recent events have me reflecting on what it means to be Black, woman, immigrant and scientist. In my young years, science provided a safe space for logic and integrity (how naïve of me), a reality that was often lacking in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The many socio-political issues that plagued my country did not stop my Black teachers from making sure I got the best education possible. However, I recognize that my reality was not that of many Congolese children.
Recent events have me reflecting on what it means to be Black, woman, immigrant and scientist. In my young years, science provided a safe space for logic and integrity (how naïve of me), a reality that was often lacking in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Read more…

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The Social Justice Coalition: Breaking Ouroboros

Leave a Comment / Office of Intercultural Excellence

The Social Justice Coalition (SJC) began as a group of medical students in the Class of 2021 reading together. Our numbers grew; we began taking action, and now we are a student leadership group at the UVM Larner College of Medicine. It may come as a surprise, but many students in SJC had never done social justice work before medical school. You don’t need experience or expertise in the field to do this work. You need to be willing to make mistakes, be uncomfortable, check your privilege, check your ego, and be accomplices, not just allies
The Social Justice Coalition (SJC) began as a group of medical students in the Class of 2021 reading together. Our numbers grew; we began taking action, and now we are a student leadership group at the UVM Larner College of Medicine. Read more…

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Health and Racial Disparities in COVID-19

1 Comment / Community, Office of Intercultural Excellence

I present and teach about health equity in Vermont and across the country, and have so far reached more than 8,000 providers across 27 states and 150 organizations. My research shows that the biggest knowledge gaps for providers relate to history. Many aren’t familiar with some of the more appalling aspects of the history of this country, including the Eugenics movement, forced sterilizations, boarding schools for Native children, and unethical research with vulnerable groups.
I present and teach about health equity in Vermont and across the country, and have so far reached more than 8,000 providers across 27 states and 150 organizations. My research shows that the biggest knowledge gaps for providers relate to history. Read more…

Health and Racial Disparities in COVID-19 Read More »