HSCommunity: Share Your Love
HSCommunity is a newsletter highlighting diversity, equity and inclusion at WVU Health Sciences.
February 2024: Share Your Love
/ Court Side
Have you ever considered that you can have two Valentines? True story. Not only can you ask someone you love to be your Valentine, but you can also be your own! It is so easy for us to love others, often we do it almost automatically, but rarely do we take the time to let ourselves know that we have our own back! I challenge you to not only share your love with others this month but extend the same to your true #1 – yourself. Treat yourself to a coffee or snack of your choice, go for a walk in a place that brings you peace, or even write yourself a little love note and leave it for your future self! Sometimes, much like relationships with others, it’s the small things we can do for ourselves that can make us feel the best.
In addition to Valentine’s Day, let’s not forget that this month is also Black History Month. Not only do we have the Center for Black Culture, which is amazing, on campus, but we also have many events where you can connect this month.
Don’t forget to love yourself and others this month and every other one!
Court
/ Court Lanham, MSW
They/Them
Director of Diversity, WVU Health Sciences
Chancellor and Executive Dean’s Office
/ Share Your Thoughts
All students, faculty and staff are invited to share their opinions and suggestions for diversity, equity and inclusion at WVU Health Sciences. Your participation will help develop strategic initiatives and plan future efforts.
/ Upcoming Events
Condoms and Cupcakes
Stop by Pylons Commons in the Health Sciences Center for sweet and safe Valentine’s Day treats on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until all giveaways are gone. Free cupcakes and safer sex materials, including condoms, will be available courtesy of the Health Sciences director of diversity, WELLWVU and Student Life. A limited number of free self-test HIV kits will also be available.
WVU Veterans Meeting
All current servicemembers (active, National Guard, Reserves, ROTC) and veterans are welcome to attend the next WVU Veterans meeting on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. in the Mountaineer Bunker, Mountainlair Room 214.
Black Student Organization Game Night
Enjoy a night of bowling, board games and more with faculty, staff, students and Black student organizations on Feb. 15 from 7-9 p.m. in the Mountainlair Games Area.
Women of Black History Trivia
Join Kahoot Trivia Night during WVU Up All Night on Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to midnight at the Mountainlair. Winners will receive a $50 gift card.
Kindness Campaign
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is excited to launch its Kindness Campaign to promote connection and amplify West Virginia University’s values of appreciation and respect. The campaign will begin Monday, Feb. 19, from 12-2 p.m. outside the Mountainlair. Learn more.
Tunnel of Awareness
Tunnel of Awareness, an interactive social justice experience, will be held in the Mountainlair Ballrooms Feb. 19-20 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Feb. 21 from 12-5 p.m. Learn more.
A Celebration of Black History
Stop by the Health Sciences Center Pylons Commons from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, to enjoy cultural treats and activities and to embrace the contributions of our African American predecessors. Presented by the School of Pharmacy DEI committee.
Black Law School Association Speaker
Hear from Oliver North on Feb. 20 at noon at the College of Law.
Gender 101 Safe Zone Training
Join the LGBTQ+ Center on Feb. 21 at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom for basic information about transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming people and communities, demographic information about the size of transgender populations in the US and in WV, and histories of transgender activism, as well as issues related to trans health care and transition, and trans-specific experiences with hate crimes and discrimination.
Celebrating Diversity Through Language
Join the Office of Research and Graduate Education and Operation Blue Sky to celebrate World Languages Day on Feb. 21 from noon to 1 p.m. in Pylons Commons. Acquire new words and phrases from seven spoken languages and American Sign Language (ASL). RSVP online.
ECHO Series: Transforming Care for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities
The WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities is offering an online training series to provide education and resources to individuals, families and healthcare professionals about transforming care for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The next session will take place Feb. 21 at noon via Zoom. Register online.
Climbing Mountains to Give Voice
In honor of Black History Month, the Student National Medical Association will host Dr. Patrice Harris, former president of the American Medical Association and distinguished alumna of WVU, for a presentation titled “Climbing Mountains to Give Voice” on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. in HSC-North 1905 and via Zoom. Learn more.
Demystifying Disability in the Workplace: Employer Led Panel
Join Career Services and the Office of Accessibility Services on Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 4:30-6 p.m. in Ming Hsieh Hall G20 for an interactive session on the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace and how to succeed with a disability. Learn more.
Valentine’s/Safe Sex Brunch
Join the LGBTQ+ Center on Friday, Feb. 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for brunch, games and education on how to best stay protected while enjoying yourself. Learn more.
NAACP Wild ‘n Out
Join Black student organizations as they go head-to-head in their own Wild ‘n Out on Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. in the Mountainlair Gluck Theater. Wild 'N Out is an American sketch comedy and battle rap improv game show.
Access for All – Spanish Night
Join the Art Museum of WVU on Friday, Feb. 23, for an evening of food, art and conversation in both Spanish and English. A bilingual tour of current exhibitions will start at 5:30 p.m.; food will be available from 6-7:30 p.m. Support provided by the Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. Learn more.
Yappy Hour
Visit with Hearts of Gold service dogs on Monday, Feb. 26, to destress during Yappy Hour from 12-1:30 p.m. in Pylons Commons. Presented by the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
advoChat
The advoChat is a bi-weekly, 1-hour session on a variety of topics related to advocacy. The next session will be held Feb. 26 at 3 p.m.
Noon Day Speaker Series: Implicit Bias
As part of the Health Sciences Faculty Development Program Noon Day Speaker Series, Angela Cartwright, PhD, will present “Implicit Bias” on Feb. 27 via Zoom. Learn more.
Black Excellence Celebration
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Pi Mu Chapter invites the community to celebrate Black students who achieved a 3.0-plus GPA during the fall semester on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.
Soul Food Luncheon
The Black Law School Association will host “Taste of Soul Food” Feb. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the College of Law.
Black Maternal Morbidity and Mortality
In honor of Black History Month, the Student National Medical Association will host Dr. Mahmoud Abdelwahab, maternal fetal medicine specialist, for a talk titled “Black Maternal Morbidity and Mortality” on Thursday, Feb. 29, at noon in HSC-North 1905 and via Zoom. Learn more.
Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Viewing
Health Sciences and WVU Libraries will host the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge on March 5 from 4-7 p.m. in the Mountainlair Gluck Theater and March 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Neal Museum of the Health Sciences near Pylons Commons. The short films focus on showcasing the stories, artistic expressions and experiences of people with disabilities. Learn more.
LGBTQ+ Book Club
This book club focuses on one piece of LBGTQIA2+ literature each semester to allow you to read for pleasure at a reasonable pace. Engage in conversations surrounding mental health as it relates to the literature and building connection with one another. The group meets once a month at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Health Building Room 101. Learn more and register online.
Shabbat Dinners
The Rohr Chabad Jewish Center hosts weekly Shabbat dinners for all Jewish students. Learn more.
For more events, visit cal.wvu.edu.
/ News & Announcements
Faith Community Nurse training allows public health nurse to expand healthcare outreach
Kassie Swecker, a WVU School of Nursing-trained Faith Community Nurse, has been working to improve the health in her local church and community. After 10 years as a public health nurse for the Randolph County Health Department, Swecker had become comfortable with her job and wanted to see if she could do more for her community. Learn more.
WVU School of Medicine Health Professions programs embrace military students
Pursuing higher education while balancing military service can be daunting. But West Virginia Air National Guard members Calista Roark and Dominique Wright found support in their respective programs at the West Virginia University School of Medicine managing their dual roles as students and service members. Learn more.
New podcast episode: Beyond Surviving - how to love through adversity
The latest episode of “Adjusting the Sails” from the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities explores techniques couples can implement to keep their spark alive amidst stress and adversity. Learn more.
WVU study finds work benefits people with certain job-related disabilities
Findings from a West Virginia University research team suggest a possible link between leaving the workforce prematurely because of disabilities from non-life-threatening, work-related conditions and the development of serious health problems, even death. Learn more.
Scholarship provides nontraditional veteran student the opportunity to pursue his passion in nursing
Thanks to the Jean P. Stanhagen Scholarship, a WVU School of Nursing Bridgeport Campus student has been able to pursue his dream of becoming a nurse. Miguel Carunungan, who is set to graduate from the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program in August, found the Stanhagen scholarship invaluable in continuing his education. Learn more.