On Friday, June 18, the Department of Pathology hosted its second-annual Equality Walk at the North Campus Research Complex in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. The event, which included over 60 faculty, staff, residents, and fellows, saw members stand up against racial discrimination and in support of equality for all. The walk included a trip around the outside of NCRC and featured an 8-minute, 46-second kneel to honor the legacy of George Floyd.
Jenna Koelsch, a Medical Laboratory Scientist from the Clinical Microbiology lab led the march for the second straight year. "As a laboratory scientist, public health is really at the center of why I do what I do," she explains. "In order to keep the public healthy, it is also important for healthcare access to be racially equitable. Advocating for anti-racism within our institutions is one way we have power to address systemic racism."
Dr. Jeffrey Myers, Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs and Quality, noted that the event "demonstrates the department's solidarity and ongoing commitment to ending racial injustice."
Another key contributor to the event was Executive Assistant Shirley Hoffman, who was responsible for ordering merchandise including t-shirts and buttons to pass out to supporters. "Departmental support for the Equality Walk shows that leadership is not only open to, but encourages having the necessary difficult conversations about the inequalities that plague our human community," Hoffman says. "It paves the way for every person to be seen and every voice to be heard, and I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of a department that acknowledges the injustices [that] many people face." All in all, the affair raised over $1,200 within a GoFundMe campaign that benefits We The People Opportunity Farm.
Department Chairman Dr. Charles Parkos also participated in the Equality Walk. "The commemoration of Juneteenth represents an important step toward acknowledging and confronting the implicit biases and deeply rooted racism that persist in our country," he stated. "Our Annual Walk for Equity is one means of raising awareness of these problems as we work together to form a more equitable nation."
Koelsch concludes by discussing the overall impact of the Equality Walk. "Michigan Medicine has chosen to take responsibility for racism in our institutions. Part of that involves advocacy and activism via events like the Equality Walk," Koelsch describes. "When I proposed the idea for the Equality Walk, I received so much support and gratitude. To have a team that takes the time and thoughtful effort to prioritize events like this, there is nothing quite like it."
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A recap video of the 2021 Equality Walk is available here.
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Dr. Sriram Venneti, MD, PhD and Postdoctoral Fellow, Chan Chung, PhD investigate pediatric brain cancer. See Article |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Residents Ashley Bradt (left) and William Perry work at a multi-headed scope in our new facility. |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Dr. Kristine Konopka (right) instructing residents while using a multi-headed microscope. |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Patient specimens poised for COVID-19 PCR testing. |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Dr. Pantanowitz demonstrates using machine learning in analyzing slides. |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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ON THE COVER
(Left to Right) Drs. Angela Wu, Laura Lamps, and Maria Westerhoff. |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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Illustration representing the various machines and processing used within our labs. |
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INSIDE PATHOLOGYAbout Our NewsletterInside Pathology is an newsletter published by the Chairman's Office to bring news and updates from inside the department's research and to become familiar with those leading it. It is our hope that those who read it will enjoy hearing about those new and familiar, and perhaps help in furthering our research. CONTENTS
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MLabs, established in 1985, functions as a portal to provide pathologists, hospitals. and other reference laboratories access to the faculty, staff and laboratories of the University of Michigan Health System’s Department of Pathology. MLabs is a recognized leader for advanced molecular diagnostic testing, helpful consultants and exceptional customer service.