First-year UM student pharmacists recite the Pledge of Professionalism at the School of Pharmacy’s annual White Coat Ceremony. The school is teaming with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy to host an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Institute in January 2021. Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy will host an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Institute in January 2021, focusing on critical areas of diversity and their impact on patient care, including race, gender, disability, economic status and other factors.
Teams made up of multiple individuals from a pharmacy school will hear from thought leaders and session speakers on topics such as bias awareness management, poverty simulation and more. Dedicated team time will allow attendees to address issues of importance to their home institution, while learning about the challenges and successes their colleagues are experiencing at other colleges/schools.
“The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy was eager to partner with AACP for this institute, as Ole Miss holds a unique obligation to do better in the area of inclusion, and we promote others to do the same,” said David D. Allen, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “The goal of the institute is to encourage a system of improving the care we provide as both pharmacists and educators.”
Inclusiveness is a core value of AACP, said Lucinda L. Maine, the organization’s executive vice president and CEO.
“Diversity in pharmacy education and the profession is absolutely critical, as we continually strive to improve health outcomes,” Maine said.
More details about the institute, including dates, registration and travel information, will be announced in the spring.