2022 CONFERENCE
The 1st Diversity in Health Care Conference
Held on April 3rd, 2022 at the Pennsylvania State University. The Diversity in Healthcare conference aims to engage and prepare future healthcare professionals to recognize, discuss, and tackle issues in the healthcare system through collaboration, innovation, and advocacy.
CONFERENCE THEMES
Healthcare Workforce Diversity
Highlighting the need for a more diverse healthcare
workforce that mirrors the communities it serves, emphasizing the benefits of diversity in
improving patient-provider communication and care delivery.
Socioeconomic Disparities
Addressing how socioeconomic status impacts health outcomes, focusing on the challenges faced by low-income individuals in accessing quality healthcare and
the broader social determinants of health.
Disparities with Age and Elder Abuse
Focusing on healthcare challenges related to aging
populations, including age-related health disparities, elder abuse, and the need for specialized care for older adults
Ableism
Tackling the challenges and discrimination faced by individuals with disabilities, focusing on the need for inclusive healthcare practices and accessibility in healthcare settings.
Linguistic and Cultural Disparities
Exploring how language barriers and cultural differences affect healthcare delivery and patient outcomes, and promoting solutions for more culturally competent care and effective communication.
Conversations were centered around the conference’s 7 themes:
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Examining the persistent healthcare gaps based on race and ethnicity, with a focus on addressing inequities in access, quality of care, and health outcomes for marginalized racial and ethnic groups.
Gender and Sexuality Disparities
Discussing disparities in healthcare related to gender and sexual orientation, including barriers faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in accessing appropriate care and support
Participants had the opportunity to discuss the conference’s core 7 themes to better:
1. Understand how each theme impacts patients and providers.
2. Contextualize these issues in modern discourse.
3. Further detail themes into specific, solvable issues.
4. Think critically and engage in interdisciplinary collaboration.
The conference promoted participants to gather what they have learned and come up with solutions surrounding the core themes. The winners of the solutioning phase for 2022 proposed the implementation of pronouns within healthcare systems. The other contenders proposed mandating DEI Courses for Penn State Pre-Health Students and initiating small scale changes to combat high medical costs.
By addressing these critical themes, the conference aims to promote more equitable, inclusive, and effective healthcare systems that serve all populations, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, ability, or age.
Big Thank you to our speakers this year as they shared their expertise and vision for advancing equity and inclusion in medicine.
OUR SPEAKERS
To all who made this possible...
Thank you to the sponsors of the 2024 conference!
Thank you to the 2022 AED Diversity in Healthcare Leadership Team!
