Program Background:

Starting Summer 2023, the Culturally Sensitive Care National Conference was conducted nationwide. In addition, an Emerging Scholars Research Panel was included. Dr. Latecia Abraham-Hilaire is the current Chair of this National Conference. Dr. Cristina Reyes Smith was the founding Chair.

The Medical University of South Carolina embarked on a university-wide Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan in 2015. One of the major initiatives of this Plan was around Education and Training. While extensive efforts have been made in this area, feedback from the Fall 2017 MUSC College of Health Professions Diversity and Inclusion Survey and Focus Groups indicated that a need remains for more in-depth and comprehensive content that would be accessible to faculty, staff, and students available to both the University and MUSC Health. Additional feedback included that employees and students saw a need for more in-person offerings, discussion-based/interactive components, certification options, and content that would be easily integrated into traditional and online course settings. The MUSC Culturally Sensitive Care program was developed to address those needs in the Fall of 2018.

Mission/Purpose:

This national conference will educate participants in culturally sensitive care approaches using the framework of the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Office of Minority Health.

This year, topics will be primarily related to addressing the healthcare needs of underserved communities with updates from local, state, and nationally renowned guest speakers in regards to policies and advocacy. Sessions will also include discussion pertaining to National CLAS Standards, Emerging Scholars, Environmental Justice/Health, Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health, Autism, Burned Survivors’ Care, Breast Cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, HIV/AIDS, Maternal/Child Health, Artificial Intelligence, Mental Health, and Community Vitality. Course content will be available in-person with expert lectures and panels, and discussion groups.

Contact:

For additional information, please contact:

Dr. Latecia Abraham-Hilaire, Chair, at abrahamL@musc.edu.

Mrs. Maria Fonseca Merritt, PICO Conference Coordinator, at confcoordinatormfm@gmail.com.