The MRC at a Glance

2014 -2015 Annual Report

Multicultural Resource Center

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Welcome.
Throughout

the year national and global events

have shaped the discourse on culture, identity, social

justice, and health. The Multicultural Resource Center
(MRC) recognizes the often dynamic and challenging
experience of navigating the intersectionality of multiple
identities whether rooted in: age, visible and invisible
disability, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status,
sexual

orientation,

indigenous

heritage,

gender
national

identity/expression,
origin,

gender,

or

professional identity (adapted from Pamela Hays

ADDRESSING Framework, 1996). Aligned with the
Office of Diversity and Outreach, under the leadership
of Vice Chancellor Dr. Rene Navarro, we are
committed to shaping a physical and intellectual
environment

that

honors

the

experiences

of

all

members of our UCSF family.

Next we add in our campus

maximum impact.

Collaboration

an opportunity to leverage my passions for social

justice and advocacy to positively impact students.
Over the year it is has been truly amazing to witness
ideas come to life in the form of initiatives and events

is at the core of our programming

efforts. This year we joined forces with over 15

departments and campus organizations, co-sponsoring
events to maximize our impact and reach across UCSF.
Together with our students and campus partners, the
MRC

curates

programs

centered

development

for

underrepresented

populations.
Bound together by our shared values in diversity,
inclusion, and equity the end result of this confection is

Community A community that has the unique ability

that touched over 1400 campus members. This year I

to transform perspectives of health science through a

have had the pleasure of getting to know, getting lost,

social justice lens.

and finding my way to and from UCSF. Most

importantly, I discovered first-hand the ingredients that
make the MRC so very special.

The MRC: At a Glance, highlights just some of the most

memorable campus moments of the past academic year.
Taking the moment to reflect also sheds light on areas for

This recipe begins with our student

learners.

The MRC is without a doubt a Student-Centric

campus service. We strive to create an environment
where students from all backgrounds and experiences
can come together, feel valued, and have their dreams
in the health sciences nurtured. On the day-to-day, the
MRC is a place where students connect with each
other, have a meal, or stop by to consult with Tina
Novero (Assistant Director to MRC and LGBT Resource

continued growth. In addition to our annual events, we will

focus on furthering our commitment to social justice by
hosting recurrent diversity dialogue conversations. We are
committed to identifying viable diversity actions for our
learners, faculty, and staff to actively engage with. In all
that we do, it is our desire to carry out our mission in the
spirit of service. Be sure to follow us on social media and
join our efforts in creating a more equitable UCSF
community.
With Gratitude,

Centers). It is important to know that we see ourselves

beyond the physical space we hold on Parnassus
our impact soars beyond the confines of MU 123.

LaMisha Hill, PhD

Director
Multicultural Resource Center

Email: mrc@ucsf.edu

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Avenue. Through programs, outreach, and social media

on

cultural/heritage celebrations, diversity dialogues, and

professional

I joined UCSF and the MRC in August of 2014, seeking

partners, ensuring our

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B.E.S.T Goals
The MRC is committed
to reaching our best to
1)Build
2)Educate
3)Support Success
4)Transform

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Build.
Build a collective sense of belonging.

Dreamers to Doctors

UCSF MLK Day Celebration

Changing Tides: APIA Heritage (May)

In the fall of 2014, UCSF School of

On January 15, 2015 the MRC along with

Tides hold a great deal of meaning for

Medicine accepted its first undocumented

the Committee on Minority Organizations

many Asian Pacific Islander Americans

medical student; however, there are other

(COMO) and the Student National Medical

(APIA), as they convey both the physical

students, before and after this event, who

Association (SNMA) organized a wonderful

and metaphorical ways in which many of

pursued their aspirations in the health

lunchtime reception featuring a keynote

our communities have come to make their

sciences at UCSF despite their

address from San Francisco District 10

way in America. Yet, more often than not,

documentation status. The Dreamers to

Supervisor Malia Cohen. Supervisor

we find APA experiences, struggles, and

Doctors Screening and Panel Discussion

Cohen engaged the audience in a

stories swept under the tides of prevailing

(A collaboration with SAA, FG2C, and

discussion about a few of the community

stereotypes and misconceptions,

Financial Aid) was an opportunity to

revitalization initiatives she is leading in her

particularly when it comes to the health

highlight the journey of undocumented

district that includes Bayview, Potrero Hill,

needs, barriers, and risks. APIA Heritage

students in the health professions and

Dogpatch, and Visiation Valley.

Month events were designed to push

raise awareness to admissions and

Specifically, she talked about the exciting

back against biases and stereotypes and

financial aid issues concerning this

new hands-on STEM focused Willie Brown

offer a platform for APA communities to

population. The Dreamers to Doctors

Jr. Middle School that she is

speak out about critical health issues.

event sparked an ongoing conversation

spearheading. Her inspirational message

Special thanks goes out to the Asian

that has grown to the identification of best conveyed the need for UCSF

Pacific American Medical Student

practices to welcome and nurture current

underrepresented professionals in health

Association (APAMSA) and the LGBT

and future UCSF Undocumented

sciences to be actively involved in

Resource Center for co-organizing the

Students.

underserved San Francisco communities.

month of events.

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UCSF Welcomes
Claude Steele, PhD
Executive Vice Chancellor
& Provost
UC Berkeley

Educate.

Educate the campus on multiculturalism and provide tools for diversity actions.
Stereotype Threat is defined as a situational predicament in which people are or feel themselves to be at risk of confirming
negative stereotypes about their social group (Steele & Aronson, 1995). As our keynote speaker for the year, Dr. Steele
reflected on his journey in higher education and the impetus for his research question a desire to understand why students
of color were underperforming against their majority-culture counter-parts in college settings. During the hour, Dr. Steele
explored the intersection of identity, stereotype threat, higher education, and current events such as police brutality among
African American men.

The culmination of this research is chronicled in his book Whistling Vivaldi, where Dr. Steele writes, Everyone is capable of bias.
We simply are not, and cannot be all knowing and completely objective. Our understandings and views of the World are partial,
and reflect the circumstances of our particular lives.
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Support.
Support the development and success of a diverse pipeline of learners.
UC Diversity Pipeline Initiative (UCDPI)
th

This year marked another successful UCDPI conference. In its 8 year of existence, the
system-wide conference welcomed 59 students and 18 faculty women of color in health
sciences. The conference featured amazing speakers from within our UC community in
addition to powerhouse keynotes. Attendees were welcomed with a kickoff address from
UC President Napolitano, followed by a keynote from Dr. Kathleen Kennedy, Xavier
University Dean of Pharmacy on Saturday evening, and Dr. Sandra Hernandez,
President of CA HealthCare Foundation as the closing conference keynote.

Underrepresented in Health Sciences Dinner (UIHS)

th

On May 13 , the MRC hosted a community building dinner in collaboration with the
Program in Medical Education for the Urban Underserved (PRIME) and First Generation
College Support Services. The UIHS dinner event included a mini presentation entitled
Racism and Your Health from James Lyda, PhD, from Student Health and Counseling.
This presentation discussed the impact of racism on student success and the importance
of creating community on campus. During the interactive segment of the night attendees
were able to provide recommendations for 2015-2016 community building initiatives.

Imposter Syndrome & How to Overcome It

Part of The Success Series, this workshop was co-presented by Student Health &
Counseling and the MRC. Over 50 students learned about factors that contribute to
Imposter Syndrome, a process of minimizing or dismissing ones accomplishments or
expertize. In addition to normalizing this phenomenon, presenters also provided
practical tools empower students.

Testimonials
It was fantastic to sit in an audience
with a female leader who is managing
an entire health system...AND a family
life. Bringing in leaders of this caliber
helps remind us that we can have it all!
-UCDPI Participant

I moved here from across the country

where immigration issues arent as
readily discussed, and I thought having
students talk about their experiences
was straight up mind blowing. The mini
documentary left something to be
desired

Dr. Steele was an engaging and

extremely interesting presenter. I
am extremely grateful to have
had the opportunity to attend.
-UCSF Welcomes Dr. Claude
Steele Attendee

-Dreamers to Doctors Antendee

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Transform.
Transform our perspective of health science through a social justice lens.
In the same spirit of the Selma to Montgomery Marches in 1965, the UCSF White Coats for Black
Lives student organization wanted to make a statement against institutionalized oppression via a
peaceful protest. WC4BL organized one of the largest medical student demonstration in history on
December 10, 2014, International Human Rights Day. Over 80 medical schools with over 2,000
students across the country marched out of class to participate in the die-in demonstration
affirming that Black Lives Matter.
Since then the WC4BL organization has motivated the leadership at UCSF to increase attention to
resolving issues of equity and inclusion at UCSF. Specifically, WC4BL continues to engage the
UCSF campus in community dialogues on why race matters in healthcare and how to improve the
campus climate for underrepresented students, faculty, and staff. Racism and social injustice are
challenging issues for diverse communities to tackle together. The UCSF WC4BL student
organization, comprised of underrepresented minority students, had the courage to face this
challenge head-on and facilitated eye-opening dialogues with UCSF faculty and administration.
The group also participated in a photo voice project called Race Matters in Healthcare, which
asks UCSF community members to write their personal reflection that answers the question What
does equity in healthcare mean to you? Their powerful portraits and statements raise awareness of
health disparities and elevate the standard of excellence in healthcare by including social justice.
The exhibit launch will occur in the Fall of 2015. On Aug. 6, 2015 the group received the San
Francisco Human Rights Commission Hero Award for their courageous advocacy, leadership, and
activism.
Tina Novero, MPA
Assistant Director
Multicultural Resource Center

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Initiatives.
Initiative

Date

Type

Partners

Number of
Attendees

College Track

10/2014 05/2015

Mentorship

MRC Open House

10/24/2014

Community Building

Pre-Health Dreamers
Panel & Screening

11/05/2014

Diversity Dialogue

Office of Student
Life

150

White Coats for Black

Lives Die-in Support

12/10/2014

Student RCO Support

WC4BL

240

MLK Day Celebration

01/15/2015

Community Building

COMO

80

Black History Month:

SNMA "Open Mic" Event

02/05/2015

Student RCO Support

SNMA

40

Black History Month:

Film- Valentine Road

02/11/2015

Diversity Dialogue

LGBT Resource
Center

20

Black History Month:

AIDS in Black America

02/12/2015

Diversity Dialogue

CAPS, LGBT
Resource Center

15

Imposter Syndrome
Workshop

02/23/2015

Professional Development

Student Health

50

Unconscious Bias Lunch

& Learn

02/26/2015

Diversity Dialogue

ODO, Dr. Salazar

50

Napa Valley & Yuba City

College Tour

04/03,04/09
2015

Pipeline Outrearch

SOD, SOP
students

80

UC Diversity Pipeline
Initiative

04/0604/08 2015

Mentorship/ Student Success

UCOP, UCLA

100

Race Talks

05/03,
06/16 2015

Diversity Dialogue/Student
RCO Support

SNMA, WC4BL

100

Claude Steele Keynote

5/13/2015

Diversity Dialogue

ODO

200

Underrepresented in
Health Sciences Dinner

5/13/2015

Community Building

PRIME/FG2C

80

Asian Pacfic American

Heritage: Banteay Srei
Asian Pacfic American
Heritage:LGBT Panel
Asian Pacfic American
Heritage Night
Race Matters Photovoice
shoots

05/18/2015

Student RCO Support

APAMSA

50

05/26/2015

Diversity Dialogue/
Community Building
Community Building

APAMSA, LGBT
Resource Center
APAMSA

25

Diveristy Dialogue/
Community Building
Totals

WC4BL

70

Email: mrc@ucsf.edu

05/28/2015
Spring Qrt

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Dr. Theordore

5
50

16 partners

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70

1,475
attendees

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MRC Collaborators/Thank Yous

Asian Pacific American
Medical Student Association

Asian Pacific American

Systemwide Alliance

Black Student Health Alliance

Campus Life Services

Center for Aids Prevention

Studies

Council of Minority
Organizations (COMO)

David Hand Photography

EVCP Dr. Claude Steele

(UC Berkeley)

First Generation Support

Services

LGBT Resource Center

Latino Medical Student

Association

Marta Cunningham
(Off the Wall Productions)

Native American Health

Alliance

Office of Diversity and

Outreach

Office of Student Life

Pre-Health Dreamers

Program in Medical Education

for the Urban Underserved
(PRIME)

Student National Medical

Association

Underrepresented in Medicine
Student Group

Student Academic Affairs

Student Health and Counseling

Supervisor Malia Cohen

(SF District 10)

UC Diversity Pipeline Initiative

Committee

UC Office of the President

UCSF White Coats for Black

Lives

USF Interns Angela Hopkins &

Simone Medley

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