Social Justice, Health Equity, and Anti-Racism Commitment

Develops and recommends structures and strategies for promoting professionalism and behavioral expectations that demonstrate respect and value human dignity for all members of our Columbia Nursing community, with attention to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

Progress: 

• The working group seeks input on strategies for creating and sustaining a climate in which everyone feels included and that they belong.
• Progress: This committee is charged with coordinating a Collaborative Intelligence retreat and continued climate assessment initiatives. This workshop is in the planning stages and aims to foster the ability of individuals and groups to work together effectively, leveraging their diverse skills and perspectives for research, curriculum building, publication efforts, and other team-based priorities.

Co-Chairs:

• Adena Bargad, PhD, assistant professor and coordinator, Women's Health Subspecialty
• Natalie Voigt, PhD, MSN, RN, Assistant Professor of Nursing at CUMC

Proposes and engages in strategies to address racism, support, and healing within Washington Heights, Harlem, and other local communities.

Progress: Continued community partnerships and activities include:

• National Injury Prevention Day in collaboration with the School of Nursing’s Helene Fuld Simulation Center. Fostering life-saving skills such as “Stop the Bleed”, Hands-only CPR, and Narcan training
• Project Renewal Fort Washington Men's Shelter & Catholic Charities collecting clothing and food items for communities in need
• Organization of fundraising initiatives to purchase supplies and goods for the Project Renewal Fort Washington Men's Shelter

Chair:

• Sabrina Opiola Mccauley, PhD, associate professor of nursing  
• Kristopher Machado-Mirasola, manager, HR/FA

Develops and recommends methods to move toward anti-racist nursing education. Seeks to implement anti-racist curricula, programming, and training to address problematic racist terminology in medicine.

Progress: 

Ongoing monthly faculty discussions: a committee to explore best practices for academic success in accelerated programs.

Chair: Latisha Hanson, DNP, PMHNP-BC, Director, Psychiatric Mental Health Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Director, Diversity Programming

Recommends, supports, and implements revision of an academic tracking system to support the advancement of all faculty and staff. The system will appropriately recognize all types of work that contribute to best practices in hiring and mentoring faculty, with special attention to race, ethnicity, culture, and gender. 

Progress: 

• Assessment of best practices and implementation of those recruiting, hiring, and support practices within Columbia Nursing.
• Explore the present opportunities for promotion and advancement
• Attrition of tenure-track faculty
• Identify the gaps in retention
• Collaboration w/ Dr. Rebecca Schnall’s faculty mentorship program to foster faculty retention

Chair:

• Ashley Graham-Perel, EdD, Director of the Office of Diversity and Cultural Affairs 
• Ruth M. Masterson Creber, PhD, MSc, RN, FAAN, FAHA, FHFSA, Professor of Nursing 

Proposes and recommends best practices to help more students from low-resourced, first-generation, and under-represented groups succeed in reaching their nursing career goals.

Progress: 

• This committee will report its findings and recommendations by the end of the fall term and share some recommended interventions before the final report.

Co-Chairs:

• Latisha Hanson, DNP, PMHNP-BC, Director, Psychiatric Mental Health Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Director, Diversity Programming 

Creates, recommends, or implements initiatives and programs to foster a climate that values diversity, inclusion, and respect for differences in our students, faculty, and staff with an aim to build a cohesive, supportive community for all.

Progress:

• The Office of Diversity and Cultural Affairs’s book club focuses on reading and discussing books exploring themes of social justice, representation, and equality. Members engage with literature highlighting diverse perspectives and experiences to deepen their understanding of these issues. The club fosters open dialogue and reflection, creating a space for learning and growth in the context of DEI principles.
• Most Recent Book Club Discussion for "Girl with The Louding Voice" by Abi Dare 
• Building Resilience Through Herbal Knowledge Workshop with Author and Herbalist Liz Neves
  • Conducted during the Spring 2024 semester, this two-part series, "Building Resilience Through Herbal Knowledge."
• Black History Month events:
  • "The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis" by Maria Smilios with a special guest, Nurse Virginia Allen (living Black Angel)
  • Film Screening: "Freedom House Ambulance the First Responders" Freedom House Ambulance Service was the first emergency medical service in the United States to be staffed by paramedics with medical training beyond basic first aid.
• Women's History Month Planning
  • "La Operación," directed by Ana María García, is a powerful film that exposes the US-imposed sterilization policies targeting Puerto Rican women during the 1950s and 1960s; documentary screening, innovative interactive gallery.
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) activities
  • Nurse Unseen explores the little-known history and humanity of the unsung Filipino nurses risking their lives on the frontlines of a pandemic thousands of miles from home. This personal documentary unearths the colonial ties between the Philippines and the United States that have led to Filipino-American nurses becoming the unsung backbone of the United States health industry, included panel Discussion with film producer and director Michele Josue and Carlo Velayo facilitated by Dr.Isper Crissey, PhD, Assistant Professor of Nursing. 
• Gratitude-giving Potluck. This event is scheduled for Nov. 2024. A gratitude potluck event where the school of nursing's faculty and staff come together to share a meal while expressing their appreciation for their diverse contributions. The gathering fosters community and inclusion, celebrating each individual's unique strengths and experiences through shared food and meaningful conversations.

Co-Chairs:

• Isper Crissey, PhD, Assistant Professor of Nursing
• Karinne Ovalles, Manager, Office of Diversity and Cultural Affairs