Hosted by the MHA Student Association Students and faculty explore the melanin elements of healthcare A session highlighting Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month, the Master of Health Administration Student Association (MHASA), at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health (CPH), recently hosted "The Melanin Elements of Healthcare", an interactive event which invited nationally renowned healthcare leaders and a historian to share insights and ideas to broaden the discussion around the melanin elements of healthcare.

Panelists included:

• Timothy Gaillard, FACHE, MHA, MSBA, Vice President UK Medical Group and Ambulatory Services at UK HealthCare
• Darwin L. Conwell, MD, MS, FACG, Chair, Department of Internal Medicine at UK Healthcare
• Dr. Tukea Talbert, DNP, RN, CDP, Chief Diversity Officer at UK HealthCare
• Dr. George C. Wright, Professor, Senior Adviser to the President, Vice President for Institutional Diversity at the College of Arts & Science at the University of Kentucky, a leading scholar and educator on "Race and Kentucky" and has written multiple books on this subject matter.

Participants shared a historical perspective of black history and the realities of being from a black background in healthcare. The discussion focused on understanding the experiences and challenges of black healthcare leaders.

Students gained valuable insight and the one-on-one time with leaders will help define their leadership style.

“It was an informative and powerful experience, and those that attended (including myself) were enriched with knowledge that can be used to be an impactful leader in healthcare and the world,” says Elijah Hames, current student in the UKMHA program at CPH.

This event was organized by the UKMHA Student Association and student leaders Elijah Hames, MHASA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, and Amaya Garrett, CPH student ambassador. Both Elijah and Amaya are current students in the UKMHA program.

To learn more about the UK MHA, visit cph.uky.edu/MHA.

To learn more about our programs, people, and passion for public health, visit cph.uky.edu.