FNU Holds 10th Annual Diversity Impact Conference On June 11-13, FNU’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hosted the 10th Annual Diversity Impact Conference. FNU started this tradition in 2010 alongside the launch of the Diversity Impact Program, which was introduced with the primary goal of increasing diversity in enrollment while providing a more inclusive environment and a more robust support system for all students. Since the Diversity Impact Program launch, FNU’s enrollment of students of color has risen from 9 percent to 24 percent. The first Diversity Impact Conference was introduced with the hopes of engaging students in culture and thought that differs from their own as a means to expand awareness and understanding of those that differ from them. At that time, the conference was limited to attendance by students only. While the Diversity Impact Conference has since expanded to a wider audience including staff, faculty, and Couriers, it still maintains a primary student focus. The conference highlights issues involving race, culture, and the LGBTQ community through speakers, discussions, and small group activities. Due to COVID-19, the event was hosted on a digital platform this year. This year’s conference theme, “Year of the Nurse and Midwife 2020: Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” followed the lead of the World Health Organization (WHO), which designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. The rise of COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of quality nursing and midwifery care. Data shows that culturally competent and inclusive
care produces better health outcomes, making the Diversity Impact Conference even more critical. The conference began with introductions from FNU Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO) Geraldine Young. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion staff, the Diversity Impact Adhoc Committee, moderators, academic leadership, and support were introduced along with a briefing from the CDIO, including a moment of silence for those
affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic and racism. Introductions were followed by a welcome address from FNU President Dr. Susan Stone that emphasized FNU’s goals of encouraging and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. In her session “Addressing Health Disparities: The Role of Healthcare Providers & Educators,” Dr. Kenya Beard, Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences at Nassau Community College, discussed how structural racism impacts health equity, healthcare disparities, and social determinants of health (SDOH). She left attendees with meaningful ways to facilitate race-related discourse. Milagros Phillips, also known as “The Race Healer’, addressed the conference with a comprehensive speech
titled “What is Race Literacy – 4 Dimensions of Racial Conditioning.” This impactful speech focused on how we may be conditioned by race and described how coming face to face with our own biases can transform our work and liberate our hearts. Other thought-provoking speakers included Ronald Hickman Jr. on “Everyday Biases: We all Have Them and Can Manage Them”; Laura MannsJames on “Microaggressions in Nursing Education and Health: Why They Matter and What We Can Do About Them”; and Katrin Moskowitz on “The ‘Ask Me How I Am Project’: The Discussion of Mental Health and Suicide Among Health Care Workers.” Attendees also engaged in virtual networking sessions, small breakout groups, tabletop discussions, and optional virtual lunches with faculty and staff throughout the weekend. As a bonus to the virtual experience, an online scavenger hunt encouraged participants to engage with FNU on social media and share their conference experiences. The conference ended Saturday evening following a weekend of community, respect, knowledge, and self-evaluation. FNU would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all of our speakers, faculty, and staff that helped to make this event possible. Next year, we hope to engage in this time of personal and professional growth in person once again but are also overwhelmed with the success and positive feedback from the virtual event.
Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin 3
