HSCommunity: Service and Giving
HSCommunity is a newsletter highlighting diversity, equity and inclusion at WVU Health Sciences.
March 2024: Service and Giving
/ Court Side
Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope you took some time to relax, reflect and re-energize for the last part of the semester. It was too quiet for me without you here, so I’m glad you are back!
As you move through this month, I ask that you consider one thing – ways you can give back. Consider taking an hour or few from your week to engage in community service, beyond things in your curriculum or employment. Consider donating some time to a local organization that you have been wanting to support, or stopping by a neighbor’s home who lives alone to see if they could use some help. It can be something simple, even the smallest of gestures make huge impacts.
WVU Day of Giving is another opportunity to give back, but in a different way. There are many funds that you can donate to and support your favorite causes – including one to enrich inclusion activities at HSC.
Before I wrap up for the month, I want to say Ramadan Mubarak to those who observe Ramadan and Happy Easter for those who observe Easter. March has started off by being so beautiful and full of abundance, may the rest of spring continue to do so!
Court
/ Court Lanham, MSW
They/Them
Director of Diversity, WVU Health Sciences
Chancellor and Executive Dean’s Office
/ Share Your Thoughts
All students, faculty and staff are invited to share their opinions and suggestions for diversity, equity and inclusion at WVU Health Sciences. Your participation will help develop strategic initiatives and plan future efforts.
/ Upcoming Events
Honoring Diversity: How Diversity is for Everyone
This talk on March 19, led by Joseph Jones, assistant professor at the Reed College of Media, addresses the issue of diversity from a broader lens, arguing diversity is not only for marginalized populations but can instead help all of us become our best possible selves. Learn more.
OLLI at WVU Open Houses
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WVU provides programs and educational opportunities designed for adults 50 and older. Open houses will be held March 19 in Morgantown and March 21 in Kanawha Valley. Learn more.
Women LINK Conference
The Women Leading, Innovating, Networking, Knowing Conference will feature a robust lineup of speakers, presenters and panelists on March 20 at the Morgantown Marriott Waterfront Place. Learn more.
ECHO Series: Transforming Care for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities
The WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities is offering an online training series to provide education and resources to individuals, families and healthcare professionals about transforming care for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The next session will take place March 20. Register online.
Self-Care 101: International Game Night
The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is proud to work with the African Student Association to offer International Game Night on March 20 featuring games from around the world. Learn more.
WVU Veterans Meeting
All current servicemembers (active, National Guard, Reserves, ROTC) and veterans are welcome to attend the next WVU Veterans meeting on March 21. Learn more.
Tales of the Maya Skies
Go on an exciting journey back in time at the WVU Planetarium on March 22 to discover how this ancient civilization learned to interpret the world around them to develop a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, mathematics and science - knowledge that has influenced much of our present day learning. Register online.
Honoring Diversity: Inclusive Language and Micro Aggressions
This talk on Tuesday, March 26, led by Angela Cartwright, director of diversity initiatives and community engagement for the Division of Equity and Inclusion, will focus how we can help create an inclusive and appreciative environment for all Mountaineers through using inclusive language and disrupting microaggressions. Learn more.
Out Front Series
Join the LGBTQ+ Center for the next speaker in its series, Laura Liswood, current Secretary General of the Council of Women World Leaders, on March 26. Learn more.
Kindness Campaign
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will hand out goodie bags as part of the Kindness Campaign on March 26 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in Pylons Commons.
LGBTQ+ Book Club
This book club focuses on one piece of LBGTQIA2+ literature each semester to allow you to read for pleasure at a reasonable pace. Engage in conversations surrounding mental health as it relates to the literature and building connection with one another. The group meets once a month at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Health Building Room 101. Learn more and register online.
Shabbat Dinners
The Rohr Chabad Jewish Center hosts weekly Shabbat dinners for all Jewish students. Learn more.
For more events, visit cal.wvu.edu.
/ News & Announcements
CVRP opens doors, broadens horizons for blind and visually impaired children across West Virginia
It may only have been one day out of the summer months during her childhood, but years later, Children’s Vision Rehabilitation Program alumnus Tatyana Tolliver says that day has added up to a lasting impact on her life. Learn more.
New podcast episode: Mandy's voice - the mom and daughter journey that continues to inspire and educate
The latest episode of “Adjusting the Sails” from the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities features Carrie Cobun-Stark discussing her experiences with her daughter Mandy. Learn more.
School of Pharmacy DEI provides Ramadan awareness
A number of our students will be celebrating Ramadan from March 10 to April 9. In an effort to spread awareness and mindfulness about the Muslim holy month, the School of Pharmacy DEI has provided information. Learn more.
WVU School of Dentistry celebrates 30 years of Rural Health Program
Students in the West Virginia University School of Dentistry are learning to be service-oriented practitioners while discovering solutions that reduce oral health disparities in West Virginia. Learn more.