Diversity and Inclusion - UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy

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Dear School Community,

The painful truth is that racism is pervasive toward the African American Community. It is persistent and systemic. This is a time to reflect on our own role in perpetuating unfair structures and systems. The responsibility is on our entire School community to drive this change, not just African American students, faculty and staff. This historical approach does not work and further marginalizes African Americans that are often tasked with Diversity and inclusion initiatives on top of the work they are required to do.

The re-framing of the Office of Organizational Diversity and Inclusion and the implementation of our institutional commitment to well-being are anchors put into place to bring vision and strategy, and serve as a catalyst to inclusion and well-being. The work and daily implementation lies with you and must be woven and interdependent with your work in our divisions, offices, classrooms, and laboratories.

The NeuroLeadership Institute makes a compelling case for change. The institute is a global initiative that brings neuroscientists and leadership experts together to build a new science for leadership development, with operations in 24 countries. The institute provides evidence-based research pertaining to the effects of isolation on the brain. It is similar to pain. Racism has often been linked to isolation and prevents efforts for inclusion. Can you imagine the impact on mental health?

We must become a better and more equitable place. We can and will do more. You will hear more about the ESOP’s plans in the days to come, as we listen and learn from our community. Yet we know that this starts with a commitment and education at individual and organizational levels. This approach and mindset is essential to facilitating inclusion and well-being for all. Here are some things you can do:

Take action: 100 ways you can take action against racism now
Get involved: Color for Change – use your time, voice, and resources to take a stand against discrimination, racism, and the senseless violence devastating communities across our country
Do something: 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
Watch this three-part video series: What will it Take To Bridge Our Differences?
Watch a documentary: 13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
Read: Bush AA. A conceptual framework for exploring the experiences of underrepresented racial minorities in pharmacy school. Am J Pharm Educ. 2020;84(1):7544. doi:10.5688/ajpe7544
Read: What Can We Do to Combat Anti-Black Racism in the Biomedical Research Enterprise?
Take care: Eshelman Care Team Referral
Talk to someone: Text START to 741-741 or call 1-800-273-TALK (8253) for a confidential conversation anytime. The National Crisis Text Line knows we can’t solve systemic racism overnight, but we can show support by helping you get through your most difficult times.

Our call to action is for you to utilize these resources to better understand, learn, and do your part in building our community.

ANGELA DM KASHUBA, BScPhm, PharmD, DABCP, FCP
Dean, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
John A. and Margaret P. McNeill, Sr. Distinguished Professor
Director, Clinical Pharmacology and Analytical Chemistry Core, UNC Center for AIDS Research
Adjunct Professor of Medicine, UNC School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases
esop_dean@unc.edu | 919-966-1122

CARLA WHITE, BSPharm
Associate Dean for Organizational Diversity and Inclusion
Assistant Professor
Carla@unc.edu | 919-966-7571

AMI PATEL
Program Manager
Organizational Diversity and Inclusion
ami@email.unc.edu | 919-966-7634

SUZANNE C. HARRIS, PharmD, BCPP
Director of Well-Being and Resilience
Assistant Professor
Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner-Psychiatry
suzanne_harris@unc.edu | 919-843-6215

Our Vision

The School’s vision is grounded in our aspiration to be a diverse and inclusive community of people to accelerate new thinking and ideas in education, research, and practice that have a positive impact on human health worldwide. We envision a school that reflects, in all its dimensions, the population it serves.

Our Mission

The office’s mission is to leverage diversity and inclusion in the School’s infrastructure to produce meaningful and sustainable change to create a school culture where all are appreciated for who they are and to develop principled leaders that are primed and positioned to solve real-world problems and care for the world.

Strategic Priorities

Strategic Priority 1: Recruit and Retain Diverse Talent
Increase and retain the compositional diversity of our students, faculty, and staff to reflect the demographics of US citizens.
Strategic Priority 2: Prepare Culturally-Intelligent Professionals
Prepare students to be culturally intelligent to meet societal healthcare needs.
Strategic Priority 3: Build an Inclusive Community
Create a School community where everyone is connected, valued, and has an opportunity to contribute.

What we are

A community of people where divergent ideas co-exist, encouraging collaboration where we create our best work.
A place where diversity and inclusion go hand-in-hand.
Adaptable and agile people committed to leading in an uncertain, complex, and global world.

What we believe

Diversity and inclusion: it’s the right thing to do because it’s human.
Our strengths are routed in our differences.
Inclusive leadership and a shared vision makes us all accountable and inspires change.
Diverse perspectives help us innovate at levels that meet societal need.
Everything we do begins and ends with a patient in mind.

What We Do

Create access to opportunities that leave no one behind.
Build workplaces that leverage diversity of thinking and develop a community where people feel recognized, respected, and appreciated for who they are and what they do.
Expose students, faculty, and staff to a range of perspectives that encourage them to think broadly, deeply, and critically to solve real-world problems.
Live globally.

View our UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan for 2020-21.

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Cross-Cultural Education Course Highlights

PHCY 501 Cross-Cultural Interactions I: Creating an Inclusive School Culture
PHCY 617 Cross-Cultural Interactions II: Health Disparities
PHCY 718 Cross-Cultural Interactions III: Skill Development

Research Highlights

School Resources

We provide an application fee supplement for qualifying UR applicants whom we meet at SACNAS or ABRCMS. To learn more about this program, please contact pharmacy_admissions@unc.edu

Take care: Eshelman Care Team Referral

University Resources

Additional Resources

Take action: 100 ways you can take action against racism now
Get involved: Color for Change – use your time, voice, and resources to take a stand against discrimination, racism, and the senseless violence devastating communities across our country
Do something: 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
Watch this three-part video series: What will it Take To Bridge Our Differences?
Watch a documentary: 13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
Read: Bush AA. A conceptual framework for exploring the experiences of underrepresented racial minorities in pharmacy school. Am J Pharm Educ. 2020;84(1):7544. doi:10.5688/ajpe7544
Read: What Can We Do to Combat Anti-Black Racism in the Biomedical Research Enterprise?
Talk to someone: Text START to 741-741 or call 1-800-273-TALK (8253) for a confidential conversation anytime. The National Crisis Text Line knows we can’t solve systemic racism overnight, but we can show support by helping you get through your most difficult times.