OEDI holds summer program opening ceremony

On June 3, the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion summer programs opening ceremony was held at Roy P. Drachman Hall. The ceremony began with a traditional blessing by Carlos Gonzales, MD, assistant vice president of Indigenous affairs for University of Arizona Health Sciences. Gonzales performed the Blessing of the Seven Sacred Directions, blessing each student and all participants with the smoke of sacred herbs.

Eliza Yellow Bird, PhD, director of the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, presided over the ceremony. Yellow Bird is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation. She greeted students and participants in her native language before delivering the opening remarks and land acknowledgment.

Francisco Moreno, MD, associate vice president of equity, diversity & inclusion, welcomed students and introduced Michael Dake, MD, senior vice president for University of Arizona Health Sciences.

Speaking via a prerecorded video, Dake welcomed students and shared his journey, emphasizing how early opportunities helped him achieve his dream of becoming a doctor. He encouraged students to take advantage of the summer programs and immerse themselves in the opportunities, including translational research and service-learning activities, which have the potential to be life-changing. He encouraged the students, emphasizing that they are the future of health care.

Leila Barraza, JD, MPH, director of the Arizona Area Health Education Centers Program, joined by video as well and introduced them to the Arizona Area Health Education Centers’ mission.

The keynote speaker, Tomás Nuño, PhD, assistant research professor at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, shared his journey to becoming a medical professor. He offered three pieces of advice: seize opportunities, maintain balance and follow your passion.

The summer programs were introduced by their respective leaders:

• FRONTERA program overview by Alejandra Zapien-Hidalgo, MD, MPH, director
• MED-START program overview by Alma Aguirre, program manager
• MSTEM Thrive Program from Arizona Center of Aging overview by Margaret Proffitt, program coordinator