The 1977 conference "Perspectives on the Health of Black Populations" was presented by the Black Student Caucus and the school of public health's Student Union Board as "the first of what we hope will be a series of conferences focusing on the unique and special concerns of minority populations." The conference was renamed the Minority Health Conference and has been held nearly every year since then.
-
- Up one level
- 1970s
- 1990s
The conference did not take place in 1988 and 1989. With encouragement from Victor Schoenbach, who had received NCI funding for a Minority Cancer Control Research Program, Assistant Dean William T. Small, Jr. inspired the Minority Student Caucus to restart the conference for 1990. He obtained significant financial support from Dean Michel A. Ibrahim and also significant organizational and logistical support from the School's Office of Continuing Education, led by Bill Browder.
- Origins
- Partner conferences
Several universities and other organizations have held conferences modeled after or in collaboration with the UNC Annual Minority Health Conference. The University of Michigan Annual Minority Health Conference was inspired by the UNC conference. Starting in with the 30th Annual Minority Health Conference in 2008, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) began holding a "partner conference" on the same day as the UNC conference and shared the Annual William T. Small, Jr. Keynote Lecture webcast from Chapel Hill
- Implementing and evaluating an interprofessional minority health conference for social work and healthcare professionals
Tiffany R. Washington, Trina Salm Ward, Henry N. Young, Pamela Orpinas, Llewellyn J. Cornelius. Journal of Interprofessional Care. 2017 Sep 5:1-4 Abstract Interprofessional education (IPE) is one strategy for addressing health inequities; however, little attention has been paid to continuing IPE for practicing social work and healthcare professionals. This article offers guidance to faculty in social work and health-related academic units on offering continuing IPE on the topic of minority health. An interprofessional group of faculty offered a day-long conference on minority health, ethics, and social justice. The conference goal was to promote interprofessional communication in a co-learning environment and promote dialogue on social determinants of health and health equity in the state. Data were obtained from surveys and analysis of work plans developed during the conference. Workshop participants were majority White (62%), social workers (79%), and practiced for 14 years on average. The most useful topics were dementia and polypharmacy. Takeaway strategies included interprofessional work, being mindful of access to resources, and engagement in continuing education. Lessons learned include plan in advance for all professions; recruit faculty and students from multiple departments to increase interprofessional diversity; offer strategies and incentives to increase student participation; be strategic about conference location and format; and identify a strategic format and theme. IPE is a means of preparing learners for working together in their future careers to provide high-quality patient-centred care and reduce health disparities. Professional development can provide an opportunity to enhance skills to address health disparities, and learning can be significantly enhanced when participants connect with colleagues from different professions, discuss diverse opinions, and share successful practices.
- List of all past Minority Health Conferences (on Minority Health Project website)
- Minority Health Conference Planning Committee receives 2016 UNC Diversity Award
Includes video of April 6, 2016 award presentation to Conference co-chairs Anna Dardick and Giuliana Morales
- Past annual Minority Health Conference websites
From the former Minority Health Project website
- Recent Minority Health Conferences, including links to recordings
- Roster of past topics and speakers
Conference themes, speakers (keynotes and breakout sessions) from past years
- State of Things - The Intersection of Public Health And Social Justice
The Intersection Of Public Health And Social Justice WUNC Radio The State of Things Will Michaels & Frank Stasio, 2/9/2016 Guests: Crystallee Crain and Anna Dardick
- Vic Schoenbach words of gratitude at the 39th Annual Minority Health Conference, Feb. 22, 2018