More than Just Hair: Hair Care Equity at the University of Vermont Medical Center
Do you know your hair type? Do you know the hair type of your child, partner, or friends?
Course Information
- Audience: Public health and health professions students and faculty, interested community members
- Format: Webinar
- Date/Time: Thursday February 20, 12 – 1PM ET
- Price: Free
- Length: 1 hour
- Credential(s) eligible for contact hours: Sponsored by New England Public Health Training Center (NEPHTC), a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES) to receive up to 1 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours are 1. Provider ID: 1131137 Event ID: PM1131137_03112021.
If you are not seeking a CHES/MCHES contact hours, if you complete the post-test and evaluation, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. The Certificate will include the length of the course.
- Competencies: Program Planning Skills, Cultural Competency Skills, Community Dimensions of Practice Skills, Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills
- Learning Level: Awareness
- Companion Trainings: None
- Supplemental materials:Power point, In-Patient Care Guide
- Pre-requisites: None
About this Webinar
Hair care equity projects are not new, however implementing one at a medical center in a rural, predominately white state offered some unique challenges and opportunities. Building on a model from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, this employee-led initiative navigated systemic racism, funding instability, and the bureaucracy that comes with navigating a large multifaceted organization. Through a process of deep learning and relationship building, the Hair Care Equity Project was launched at the University of Vermont Medical Center in summer 2023 with initial product launch in February 2024.
What you'll learn
At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:
- Comprehend the historical and cultural significance of hair care, especially for marginalized populations.
- Know the steps to implementing a Hair Care Equity Project at an Academic Medical Center in a rural state.
- Understand the importance of leadership buy-in and stewardship of a Hair Care Equity Project.
- Explain the importance of continuous quality improvement in a project such as this one.
Subject Matter Experts
Vanessa Rose, (she/her)
Executive Assistant, Chief Medical Officer Team, Project Lead, Hair Care Equity Project
The University of Vermont Medical Center
Geera Demers, MPA, CPHQ,PMP (she/her)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director, Employee Education and Experience
The University of Vermont Medical Center
Kristin Fontaine, MPH (she/her)
Health Equity and Community Access Supervisor
The University of Vermont Health Network
Vanessa is a healthcare professional, currently serving as Executive Assistant to the Chief Medical Officer team and co-chair of the Black Experience Council at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Passionate about equity and inclusion, Vanessa blends her clinical and operational experience to enhance workflows and foster belonging. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, creating art, spending time in nature, and relaxing with her husband Joe and their hound dog Elvis.
Geera serves as the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for Employee Experience and Education. With a rich background in healthcare, Geera excels in facilitating trainings, program management, health administration, quality improvement, and strategic planning. In her current role, she advises employees on DEI-related issues, supports leaders in managing diverse teams, and resolving cultural conflicts. She also guides the implementation of inclusive practices and policies, fostering a supportive work environment. Additionally, Geera develops and delivers DEI trainings to enhance knowledge, cultivate a positive culture, and improve employee retention. Before moving to Vermont, Geera worked in New York City as the Program Manager for the Cancer Prevention Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital (NYP), organizing cancer screenings and educational events. In her role as the research project coordinator at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, she coordinated research for multi-institutional and international clinical trials.
Kristin has been with the University of Vermont Health Network for the past 12 years in several different roles. Currently she serves as the Health Equity and Community Access Supervisor where she has helped to spearhead many health equity-related quality improvement initiatives including the Hair Care Equity Project and the Immigrant Health Initiative. Prior to this, Kristin worked for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England for 10 years focusing on health center operations, staff training, and community education.
Registration
Select the Enroll Me button below to register for this webinar. If you have any trouble accessing the recording, contact support@nephtc.org.
Acknowledgement: This project is/was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31685 “Regional Public Health Training Center Program.” This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.