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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Annual Symposium

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Annual Symposium is co-sponsored by the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Office of International Programs.

DEI Symposium banner graphic, collage of people7th Annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Symposium

Access to Education, Health, and Advocacy for Indigenous People in Kansas and Missouri

March 29-30th, 2023

Through an annual convening, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Symposium brings together members of our KU Medical Center community and the general public for a day-long learning opportunity with panel discussions, presentations, and engagement around diverse health advocacy, research, innovation, education, and service topics. We hope you will join us for this continuous learning opportunity.

Register Online

Continuing Education

Continuing education credit is available to employees and learners of KU Medical Center and The University of Kansas Health System at no charge. Continuing education credit for other individuals is available for a fee of $100.

NURSES: The University of Kansas Medical Center Area Health Education Center East is approved as a provider of CNE by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. This course offering is approved for 9.0 contact hours applicable for APRN, RN or LPN re-licensure. Kansas State Board of Nursing provider number: LT0056-0749. Mary Beth Warren, MS, RN, Coordinator.

PHYSICIANS: The University of Kansas Medical Center Office of Continuing Medical Education is Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Kansas Medical Center Office of Continuing Medical Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

SOCIAL WORKERS: The University of Kansas Medical Center Area Health Education Center East, as an approved provider of continuing education by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board presents this offering for a maximum of 7.5 hours credit applicable for re-licensure of LASWS, LBSWS, LMSWS and LSCWS. Kansas provider number 12-002. Mary Beth Warren, MS, RN, Coordinator.

Past Event Information

6th Annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Symposium

Healthcare Continuum of Military Personnel and Families
Wednesday, March 30, 2022

8:30 a.m. | Welcome & Acknowledgements

  • Douglas Girod, M.D.

8:35 a.m. | Military Service Members and Our Families: Unique Challenges

  • Colonel Lee Norman, M.D., MHS, MBS

9 a.m. | Engaging Gender Diverse Professionals

  • Colonel (Ret.) Suzanne Wheeler, MA

9:40 a.m. | Women in the Military
Moderated by Janet D. Pierce, Ph.D., APRN, CCRN, FAAN

  • Andrea Simpson, MSW, LCSW
  • Jennifer Strauss, Ph.D.
  • Major (Ret.) Emma Toops, BA, MA-ED: C&I, EMBA


10:40 a.m. | KU Medical Center and KU-Lawrence Student Panel

Moderated by April Blackmon Strange, MS

11:35 a.m. | Break

11:45 a.m. | Rural Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Moderated by Andrea Simpson, MSW, LCSW

  • Ruth Butler, RN
  • Kimberly Chalmers, LPN
  • Deborah Davis, M.D.
  • Mary Hefts, MSN, RN

12:25 p.m. | Community Veterans Project

  • Michele Orpin

1:05 p.m. | Break

1:15 p.m. | Supporting Family Caregivers of Veterans

  • Shawn Moore, LMSW

1:40 p.m. | Research on Native American Veterans

  • Charlotte McCloskey, Ph.D.

2:00 p.m. | Break

2:10 p.m. | Military Sexual Trauma

  • Chenoa Simmons-Daniels, MSW, LSCSW, LCAC, CST
  • Brittany J. Jacobson, Ph.D.

2:55 p.m. | The United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps: Missions of Service

  • Captain Michael Garner, MPA, BA
  • Lieutenant Commander Ryan Pommier, PT, DPT, OCS
  • Commander Molly Rutledge, MA, MS
  • Lieutenant Commander Courtney Wood, MEd, CBIS, CEEL

3:55 p.m. | Military Effects on the Body: Inventive Ways to Treat Active Duty and Veterans

  • Deanna Lesher, OT, BS
  • Sergeant (Ret.) Dillon Vulgamott, DPT
Continuing Education

Continuing education credit is available to employees and learners of KU Medical Center and The University of Kansas Health System at no charge. Continuing education credit for other individuals is available for a fee of $100.

NURSES: The University of Kansas Medical Center Area Health Education Center East is approved as a provider of CNE by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. This course offering is approved for 9.0 contact hours applicable for APRN, RN or LPN re-licensure. Kansas State Board of Nursing provider number: LT0056-0749. Mary Beth Warren, MS, RN, Coordinator.

PHYSICIANS: The University of Kansas Medical Center Office of Continuing Medical Education is Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Kansas Medical Center Office of Continuing Medical Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

SOCIAL WORKERS: The University of Kansas Medical Center Area Health Education Center East, as an approved provider of continuing education by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board presents this offering for a maximum of 7.5 hours credit applicable for re-licensure of LASWS, LBSWS, LMSWS and LSCWS. Kansas provider number 12-002. Mary Beth Warren, MS, RN, Coordinator.

Register now

Transgender Health

March 31, 2021

Disabilities: A Multidimensional Experience for All

Sept. 17, 2020

Health Literacy: From Patient to Practitioner

March 26, 2019

Keeping Your Heart in Care: Cultural Experiences in Palliative Care and Beyond

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Refugees in the Health System

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Booklet (PDF)

Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

University of Kansas Medical Center
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Mailstop 2015
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, KS 66160
Phone: 913-588-3319
Fax: 913-588-1412