U-M MLK Health Sciences Symposium to Conclude with Discussion on Bioethics in a Time of Crisis
February 27 event will focus on the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Louisiana health care professionals faced unprecedented bioethical issues after Hurricane Katrina left them without power, food, or water to care for their patients. The book Five Days at Memorial is a compilation of narratives pertaining to the challenges physicians, nurses, and other health personnel faced. On February 27, health experts will lead a discussion focusing on Chapter 7 of the book. Students are encouraged to attend the event. The book is available online and in print via the Mirlyn library catalog. The event is free but registration is required by February 20.
Events of January 21
“Communities are the best source for fulfilling our commitment to service.”
“Vulnerable does not mean weak,” was a key point made about communities by Phyllis 
Meadows Ph.D., MSN, RN, associate dean for Practice at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Dr. Meadows was the keynote speaker for the 2014 Martin Luther King, Jr. Health Sciences Symposium: Healing the Divide–Bridges to Community. “These communities, no matter how unstable, have great strength, and we need to recognize the power in people.”
Dr. Meadows has more than 25 year of experience in community-based health care but highlighted a lesson from her early years as a nurse. She encouraged the practitioners and researchers to abandon preconceived notions and instead begin with engaged listening about priorities as the community sees them. “Make sure you are not a barrier to the voice of the community,” she said.
“Communities are not laboratories for learning. We are not coming in on a white horse. We must be an authentic partner.”
University of Michigan School of Nursing (UMSN) Dean Kathleen Potempa, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, supports Dr. Meadow’s message of addressing the ‘isms’ that stand in the way of social progress, such as racism, sexism, and ageism, and elitism. “It is often the elite, be it individuals or institutions, that define the ‘narrative’ about the issues and the solutions – and it is the narrative that often captures the political will and sets agenda and resource allocations,” said Dean Potempa. “We must be astute listeners willing to reach mutual understanding and become partners with communities to achieve the goals to which they aspire for better health and health care. There is much to learn and to give.”
UMSN Assistant Professor Patricia W. Coleman-Burns, Ph.D., MA, served as part of the 2014 Health Sciences Program Committee. “Prior to the event many students were hesitant, reluctant to attend the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration and wondered what they were they supposed to get out of the ‘lecture’” said Dr. Coleman-Burns. “Afterwards, students approached me with smiles and excitement to share their thoughts about the event. Dr. Meadows helped students understand: the need to reshape the dialogue and conversation around race, the importance of valuing the uniqueness and culture of communities, the essentiality of listening, how social factors shape health. Many of the students were thankful that they took time out of their schedules to participate in the commemorative events.”
2014 MLK Health Sciences Interdisciplinary Student Project Competition
(See video below for the winning presentations - beginning at time code 1:25)
- 1st Place - Health Policy Student Association
- 2nd Place - Health Equity Scholars Program
- 1st Place - Organization for Affordable Healthcare (FindCare)
- 2nd Place - U-M Student Nurses' Association/Central Student Government Health Issues Commission
