Friday, June 9, 2023
12–12:45 p.m. Presentation by Kaamilyah Abdullah-Span, J.D.
12:45–1 p.m. Questions & Dialogue
Register here to lunch in person with colleagues at MSB Lecture Hall (Room 274) *
*Registration closes at noon on Monday, June 5
Or Attend Virtually via Zoom Call-in
Medicine is one of the few professions that engages the general public. Health care facilities and their providers have a responsibility to deliver culturally competent care to their community members. It is also a profession in which decisions, including seemingly minor decisions, can have a significant impact on patient care and the provider-patient relationship. Health care providers must consider how bias can and does impact interactions with patients, families, and colleagues. It’s also important that medical professionals understand how biases factor into decision-making processes and occasionally manifest as microaggressions. In this session, Kaamilyah Abdullah-Span will use lecture, video clips, interactive exercises, and discussions to provide a deeper understanding of implicit bias and microaggressions, how they function in our everyday lives, and how they impact our decision-making. She will describe ways to respond to microaggressions and how to apply strategies for mitigating bias as a critical step towards strengthening cultural competencies and creating equitable and respectful health care environments.
Kaamilyah Abdullah-Span is the Director of Campus Culture and Climate within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (OVCDEI) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She is responsible for assessing the campus’ culture and implementing policies and practices that contribute towards creating a more diverse and inclusive university environment. She conducts workshops, seminars, and guest lectures on various topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As a trained mediator, Abdullah-Span offers instruction on conflict resolution techniques, communicating across differences, understanding cultural norms, managing generational differences, and recognizing and responding to microaggressions and biases. Abdullah-Span holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology, a master’s in educational policy studies, and a juris doctor degree – all from the University of Illinois.
