Dr. Eastlack and Farley Awarded CASAA Microgrant to Promote Diversity in Healthcare Education

Marty Eastlack, PT, PhD, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, and Sophie Farley MMS, PA-C, Assistant Professor of practice in the Physician Assistant Program at Arcadia University, have been awarded a $1,200 Experiential Learning Microgrant from the Center for Antiracist Scholarship, Advocacy, and Action (CASAA) for the fall 2024 semester. The grant will fund initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the College of Health Sciences (CHS), benefiting over 400 students and faculty.

The microgrant will support the College's Fall Interprofessional Education (IPE) event, featuring Dr. Sabrina Heman-Ackah, a neurosurgeon who will share her experiences as a Black woman in the medical field. Dr. Heman-Ackah will address topics like microaggressions and racism in healthcare, offering valuable insights for fostering more inclusive clinical environments.

"I have received a lot of support from the University in bringing this event together," said Farley. "I am very grateful for Arcadia's commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. I'm excited for the students, faculty, and staff of the College of Health Sciences to learn about biases and microaggressions in healthcare and education through Dr. Heman-Ackah's first-hand experiences and to empower them to advocate for equity in their own future practices."

The grant will also provide resources for a faculty-led book club discussing "Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine" by Dr. Uché Blackstock. The book, which explores the intersection of racism and healthcare, will encourage deeper discussions about the systemic challenges faced by Black physicians.

This initiative aligns with CASAA's mission to promote diversity in education and healthcare. It is part of the College's broader efforts to integrate issues of equity, social determinants of health, and justice into the curriculum for programs such as Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Public Health.