Outside the Margins Series Tackles Important Issues Related to COVID-19

Vaccine hesitancy was one of the topics addressed by the University of Kentucky’s Outside the Margins webinar series, an initiative established in order to spark important conversations about the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on marginalized communities. Through virtual presentations from panels of experts, Outside the Margins provided opportunities for conversation about how to potentially resolve these challenges.

For many marginalized groups, hesitancy taking the COVID-19 vaccine is rooted in America’s history of medical experimentation and ongoing treatment bias. However, the deadliness of the pandemic has made it crucial for physicians and health care personnel to forge trustworthy connections and encourage the public to protect themselves from the virus.

The Outside the Margins series was made possible through partnership among multiple diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices at UK, including the College of Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Subbarao Bondada, PhD, professor of microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics, was an expert panelist during the event titled “Vaccine Hesitancy and the Legacy of Medical Racism.” He hoped to increase awareness of vaccines, efficacy, and safety in underrepresented communities. Having the platform to discuss these topics frankly and to a wide audience helped educate the community more effectively.

“Hopefully we increased vaccine awareness and convinced a few more reluctant people to take the vaccine,” Dr. Bondada said.

Nikita Gupta, MD, assistant professor of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery, participated in the “Queer and Trans People of Color and the Pandemic” panel discussion for her work co-leading the LGBTQ* Advisory Committee and her clinical work with transgender patients. She spoke about her role in clinic, how she comforts patients, allyship, and the unique aspects of care. Though Dr. Gupta was a panelist, she said she learned quite a bit as well. Several participants reached out to her after the event to continue the discussion.

“This series has been an excellent way to build community while talking about important societal issues all during an isolating pandemic,” Dr. Gupta said.

The Outside the Margins series has touched on other pandemic-related topics:

• The initial event, titled “COVID-19, Health Inequalities, and the Black Community,” addressed the early effects of the pandemic. UK brought forth a panel of highly qualified individuals in the field of health care including the College of Medicine’s Rebecca Dutch, PhD, vice dean for research, and Anita Fernander, PhD, former associate professor of behavioral science.

• “Asian Hate and COVID-19: A Year of Two Pandemics” explored ways to support the Asian American and Pacific

Islander community in the midst of hate crimes stemming from the pandemic. • “Where Are We Now: A Year into a Global Pandemic” reflected on a full year of COVID-19. n

“We established Outside the Margins to capitalize on a very important conversation that was moving from very closed off spaces in academia and health care to the leading story on the evening news. We are thrilled with the response at these events and hope everyone was able to take something from it to apply to their own practice and/or to advocate for themselves.”

—Brian Hamilton, MEd, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the College of Medicine