‘Diversity Talks’ is a lecture series designed to empower members of the WesternU COMP & COMP-Northwest community to become active agents of equity, diversity, humanism and inclusion especially in the field of healthcare. The goal of ‘Diversity Talks’ is to motivate our University community to examine perspectives outside of our own, empower critical thinking and promote equitable and fair healthcare outcomes for all. ‘Diversity Talks’ speakers are chosen to offer platforms for learning and discussion on contemporary topics relative to healthcare disparities. We are honored to host speakers and facilitators who are open to sharing their learned perspectives to help us deepen our knowledge, develop skills to break the cycle of privilege and oppression and support the mission of the college.

COMP & COMP-Northwest students who attend at least 6 diversity talks lectures per year, and complete required assignment in a timely manner are eligible to be inducted into the Humanism, Equity, Inclusion and Diversity (HEID) in Medicine Scholars Program.

Past Topics Included:

• Understanding Eating Disorders in LGBT Youth

• See the Invisible: Raising Awareness of Invisible Disabilities in the Healthcare Professions

• Intersectionality & Invisibility of the Asian American Identity

• Black men in white coats

• Transgender Day of Remembrance

• What can we see about health outcomes for women if we really look?

• Health care practices to benefit cultural fluency and competency

• Historic and current factors leading to health disparities among native American people in the US

• Black healthcare providers in America: humanizing the dehumanized

• The man who needed a pap smear and other LGBTQ+ healthcare tales