Engagement and Belonging in Medicine – June 2024

ByInternal Medicine at Iowa

Dear Colleagues,

As we commemorate Pride Month and Juneteenth, we are reminded of the struggles that many groups have faced and continue to face in their fight for equal rights.

Juneteenth has been a federal holiday in the United States since 2021. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery in the country. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, marking the effective end of slavery. It has become a day to honor African American history, culture, and ongoing activism.

Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall Riots of 1969; since then it has grown into a global movement celebrating the contributions made by LGBTQ+ community to society, joyous festivities, and ongoing advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. These occasions serve as a testament to the long journey to foster an inclusive environment that honors and respect all our individual differences.

We take immense pride in the work that the University of Iowa and the UI Health Care have done in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The LGBTQ+ Clinic at UI Health Care, the first in the state to offer comprehensive care for the lesbian, gay, transgender, queer, and questioning population, stands as a beacon of that commitment. Since its inception in October 2012, under the leadership of Dr. Katie Imborek and Dr. Nicole Nisly, the clinic has served thousands of patients across Iowa and has been recognized nationwide as a leader in its field.

In the spirit of recognition, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to our medicine residents and faculty, Drs. Anderson, Blaine, Harris, Johnson, Maggio, Smeins, Xu and Zhang, who were honored with this year’s Culturally Responsive Health Care Award. Their partnership with the Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Clinic, providing continuity of care for uninsured patients in our community, is a remarkable way to advance health equity and improve access for patients in our community. The clinic has been a cornerstone of our community since 1971, providing critical health care services to patients from Johnson County and beyond.

As we move forward, we invite each one of you to consider ways in which you can give back to our community. Supporting the mission of the Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Clinic is just one such opportunity. Whether volunteering or donating, you can make a difference for many of our patients in need. Let’s continue to work together in creating a more inclusive and equitable health care environment for all.

Welcome to our new Engagement and Belonging Committee members

Claire McGranahan
Associate Editor, Internal Medicine Communications

Before I came to work with Internal Medicine, I worked in the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, where I was on the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee. I found that the work on the committee strengthened our department communications, our events, and all of the department’s strategic initiatives—because I had the awareness of what inclusion could look like across our education, research, and patient care missions. Additionally, being a staff member in a committee made up largely of faculty allowed me to advocate for my own administrative job classification within the institution. Finally, engagement and belonging are part of what I strive to achieve in my everyday life within and outside of my work. I feel proud that the institution continues to place importance on this work as part of our professions.

Engagement and Belonging office hours

Drop in at Dr. Gutierrez’s office at SE 628 GH, join via Zoom, or make an appointment between 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month. The next session will be on June 28. This is an opportunity to bring up any issues or concerns in a confidential manner, or share your ideas on how the department can help you thrive. We want to hear from you!

Apply to be part of the Engagement and Belonging Committee

In our renewed commitment to fostering a more inclusive environment that not only resonates with our faculty but also extends to staff, advanced practice providers, trainees, patients, and community partners, we are especially seeking applications from Advanced Practice Providers and residents. Anyone interested in being part of this Committee is encouraged to apply here.

Culturally Responsive Health Care Award winners

On Thursday, June 6, Drs. Anderson, Blaine, Harris, Johnson, Maggio, Smeins, Xu, and Zhang were awarded the 2024 Culturally Responsive Health Care Award for the care provided to underserved patients in partnership with the Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Clinic.

Conflict Into Collaboration

Are you seeking effective strategies for navigating tough conversations and creating a respectful environment that facilitates conflict resolution? Register for AAMC’s virtual workshop.

IDEAS Learning Series

AAMC’s upcoming IDEAS webinars are on a variety of inclusive topics, with the next one taking place from noon to 1:00 p.m. on June 18.

 

Summer programming in the greater Iowa City community

 

 

UI makes progress implementing Iowa Board of Regents DEI directives

 

OneIowa LGBTQ Health and Wellness Conference

 

 

June events, celebrations, and holidays

  • Caribbean-American Heritage Month: During Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we celebrate the achievements and dreams of the millions of people of Caribbean origin now living in the United States while honoring the shared history of joy and perseverance that has united and enriched life across our region for centuries.
  • National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month: This year’s theme is Myth, Truth, Action. June is a crucial time to highlight the challenges faced by those living with headache disease. By securing proclamations from local governments, we can raise public awareness, encourage understanding, and promote supportive policies.
  • Pride Month: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
  • June 7: Feast of the Sacred Heart (Roman Catholic): This Roman Catholic feast day memorializes Jesus’ love for all humans.
  • June 12-13*: Shavuot (Jewish): This major Jewish festival marks the harvest of wheat in Israel. According to Orthodox Judaism, the date also aligns with the revealing of the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelites.
  • June 14-19*: The Hajj (Islamic): This annual pilgrimage to Mecca is perhaps the most important Muslim holiday. This journey is required of all Muslims if they are physically and financially able.
  • June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day: This date commemorates the day when 250,000 slaves in the state of Texas, which became the last bastion for slavery during the final days of the Civil War, were declared free by the U.S. Army.
  • June 17-20*: Eid-al-Adha (Islamic): This ends the Hajj pilgrimage. It celebrates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Ishmael, his son, to obey God. Because of this, a lamb is given to him to sacrifice in place of his son. On this day, animals, typically a sheep or a goat, are sacrificed and enjoyed by both the family and those in need.
  • June 21: Litha (Pagan): This Pagan and Wiccan festival is held on the summer solstice.

Note: All holidays marked with * begin the prior evening. This is not an exhaustive list of cultural events and holidays celebrated in this month. 

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