In the year In the spring of 2020, VTCSOM hosted a town hall meeting to discuss national events that bring attention to systemic racism and identify opportunities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools.
“This center of inclusion, this safe place, is not just a physical place where we can find that comfort when we’re overwhelmed by everything that’s going on in the world around us, but rather it represents that each of our voices is valid.” said Sara Yosif, a fourth-year student at VTCSOM. “We deserve the right to be our true selves without apology, without judgment, even if there’s something out there telling us otherwise. We need to be heard, and this safe space represents that our voices cannot be silenced.
Growing out of City Hall and other community forums is the inclusive VTCSOM Task Force of over 100 faculty, staff and students. The task force has developed key recommendations that include an inclusion center. Similarly, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute has been holding a series of community engagement meetings where students and faculty have defined and updated principles and policies.
“There was a lot of listening and open discussions to learn more about the needs and concerns of the entire health science community,” said Michael Friedlander, vice president of health sciences and technology and executive director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. “While we often hear and reflect on different perspectives in the classroom, this space is dedicated to students and trainees who want to dig deeper, challenge their own biases, and connect with others in their scientific endeavors and as other people. Colleagues, and friends. Around shared interests in biomedical science and health research.” We want to provide more of the resources that begin in the classroom and the lab, and the greater sense of empathy, respect, and camaraderie, as well as the relationships you build with the many individuals and perspectives you’ll encounter while you’re here in the wider community.
