Our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts have been plentiful this month. We celebrated Black History Month (February), and Women’s History Month (March) by elevating some of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni on social media. During February we also hosted a lunchtime discussion about the Brown Eye/Blue Eye experience.
In March, we are excited by the Women with White Coats event with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Dr. Williams, and Dr. Grover hosted by Poonam Panda (Class of 2022) as part of this month’s celebration. In the classroom, the Opt 1s had a discussion titled “Race and Racism as a Social Determinant of Health” and the Opt 2s completed their work in the Interprofessional Education Experience (IPE) about race and health care disparities. The college’s Committee on Inclusion and Diversity (CID) has been working hard on developing a diversity strategic plan.
The summer I-DOC program (Improving Diversity in Optometric Careers) is celebrating its 15th year and since its inception, has shepherded 80 underrepresented students into colleges of optometry nationwide. I-DOC will take place virtually in June and the application is now available at https://u.osu.edu/idoc/. Please spread the word to interested underrepresented students!
Finally, please support our students, faculty and staff who identify as Asian Pacific Islander (API) as they navigate their lives amid acts of violence against Asian Americans and Asian immigrants.