STUDENT LETTER ADVOCATES FOR CRUCIAL CHANGE In 2020, the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others at the hands of police violence, as well as the disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on marginalized communities, exhibited the need for social change.
“The instances in 2020 regarding racial injustice, such as the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, and too many others, in addition to the release of data exhibiting how the COVID-19 pandemic was disproportionately impacting communities of color were all sobering. In response to these events, I wanted to hold the College of Medicine accountable for ensuring that its future graduates will be prepared to serve patients with the humanity and care that they deserve.” —Jodi Llanora, Class of 2023
02 | UKMedicine
Learners at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, “deeply shaken” by these events, gathered to see how they could help. They started with a powerful letter. “Current events are bringing to light the ugly, systemic racism that continues to permeate our culture,” the letter read. “The disproportionate effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on communities of color and the many instances of racist crimes that have occurred just this month are major health issues. We believe that it is our responsibility to directly address these issues as future physicians to the best of our abilities.” The letter went on to outline improvements that students and graduates wished to see at the College of Medicine including changes in the curriculum, admissions, orientation, faculty representation, and community service. Overall, 132 College of Medicine students, graduates, and more than a dozen student organizations signed the letter, with the intention of having the document be a running petition. Their goal was to counter racial disparities in education and in the future care they will provide as physicians.
