Recent DEI events

Toleka Taylor
2020 JEDI scholarship recipient Toleka Taylor plans to establish a mentorship program that connects middle school and high school students with CRNAs and WSU Applebaum students.

JEDI scholarship competition

Each year, the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences holds a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) scholarship competition. In 2021, a total of $15,000 will be presented to students who actively contribute to social justice in health care through a more diverse and engaged student body.

"The JEDI scholarship is part of our college's commitment to fostering a diverse academic environment and increasing cultural awareness and competency," said Interim Dean Cathy Lysack. "This makes our classrooms stronger, our decisions and problem-solving skills as educators and health professionals more thoughtful, and our students better prepared to equitably care for patients in our community after they graduate."

Applicants must be current full-time graduate or undergraduate students in good academic standing in any WSU Applebaum program.

Martin Barr-Stephen Wilson Lecture

In April 2021, the Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences hosted Dr. Dayna Bowen Matthew, dean of the George Washington University Law School, as she delivered an impassioned and meaningful presentation titled A Lawyer's Prescription for Achieving Health Equity. A nationally recognized leader in public health and civil rights law who focuses on racial disparities in health care, Matthew is the first woman to lead GW Law. She is the author of the book Just Medicine: A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Health Care. This event marked a revival of the college's annual Martin Barr–Stephen Wilson Lecture Series, which was created in honor of two former WSU Applebaum deans to highlight the development of health care policy, laws and ethics.

 

Black History Month series

To mark Black History Month in February 2021, WSU Applebaum hosted a series of virtual events featuring alumni, faculty and students. Recordings are available below.

Dialogues on racism 

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences hosted dialogues on racism in June and October 2020.

"Meaningful conversations about racism and the Black Lives Matter movement must remain at the forefront of our priorities. As a college, we are determined to keep up our momentum and take action for change," said WSU Applebaum Interim Dean Cathy Lysack. 

"Our dialogues brought student voices to the forefront and gave our entire community the chance to share our experiences," said WSU Applebaum Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Mary Clark. "We listened – and we were listened to – bringing some comfort, solidarity, and hope for the future."  

During the dialogues, participants had the opportunity to listen and speak in smaller breakout groups facilitated by WSU Applebaum community members with participation from the Wayne State Office of Diversity and Inclusion. This dialogue series was organized by Dr. Clark and WSU Chief Diversity Officer Marquita Chamblee.

"Racial disparities touch every facet of our work as health practitioners and influence the ultimate well-being of patients in our care. We are determined to lead the way in alleviating inequality," Lysack said.