Diversity & Inclusion
Champions for diversity
In an era in which racial justice issues are once again on the national stage, the Office of Diversion and Inclusion (ODI) is more vital than ever. The mission of the ODI is to embrace, respect, and honor all forms of diversity. Our family of students, faculty, staff and patients have a wide array of racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic, religious, gender, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, and other backgrounds that reflect a global society. The ODI is a continual resource for adaptation, tolerance and equity. Despite the current mandate for masks and social distancing, the ODI offers regular events (virtually or socially distant) that encourage inclusivity and celebrate diversity. Such events include Cultural Hour, Black History and Hispanic Heritage Month Door Decorating contests, a
Native American Heritage Poster contest, continuing education webinars on implicit bias and more. As we forge ahead to work toward a more informed and equitable society, the goal of ODI is to develop new scholarships for underserved and underrepresented minorities, increase the national enrollment deficit of black males in the field of dentistry and continue to celebrate the rich, diverse heritage here at Detroit Mercy Dental. The late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." May we all continue to fight for true equality for one and for all.
The ODI receives Detroit Mercy Mission Micro Grant LGBTQ+, multicultural and ethnocentric magazine subscriptions, signs and art for the dental clinic waiting areas.
The Mission Micro Grant Evaluation Committee awarded the School of Dentistry Office of Diversity and Inclusion a micro grant of $200 for
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Bobby J. Grossi, D.D.S.'03, created a mentorship group for Detroit Mercy Dental students to provide an external professional connection and help them to feel confident in all aspects of dentistry. Students were particularly appreciative of how engaged he kept them with virtual discussions during Michigan’s stay-at-home order. Grossi is the author of two books, Destiny Is Not Hereditary: How Becoming A Better You Impacts Others and Changing The Face Of Dentistry: Achieve a Smile that Leads to Total Wellness.
2020-21 Michigan Dental Association Leadership Exploration and Development (LEAD) Program is a 12-month program designed to build future leaders by developing personal leadership skills. Alumni from the newest class include: • Daniel R. Miller, D.D.S. ’14 • Aida Maratovna Rosenthal, D.D.S. ’16 • Michelle Szewczyk, D.D.S. ’19
Cultural Hour Revived ODI has reintroduced Cultural Hour, originated by former the ODI director, Deirdre Young, D.D.S., M.H.S.A, this program aims to expose participants to various cultural backgrounds, traditions and beliefs. Cultural Hour offers various workshops, meetings and presentations via Zoom and is open to the entire Detroit Mercy Dental family. Successful events have included Anti-Ableism Workshop: Practicing Disability Justice and a showing of the documentary “Latino American Prejudice and Pride.”
The Mission Micro Grant Program awards annual grants of up to $200 to any full- or part-time Detroit Mercy faculty or staff member in support of activities that promote Detroit Mercy’s mission of being a Catholic, Mercy, Jesuit, urban For more information on Cultural Hour and student-centered university. and how to participate, please contact Betsy Lozano at lozanobs@udmercy.edu or Melvin Lunkins at lunkinms@udmercy.edu. D E N TA L . U D M E R C Y. E D U
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