Statement Against RacismAs followers of Jesus Christ and public health educators, we condemn racism in all its forms. Theseforms include structural racism—power inequalities perpetuated in our society that systematically conferadvantage and privilege on the dominant racial group at the expense of oppressed racial groups—as wellas interpersonal racism—explicit attitudes of prejudice and actions of discrimination between individuals.We hold that all forms of racism are inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ. We accept moralresponsibility to identify and eliminate racism in processes, laws, organizational attitudes, and interpersonalrelations, including in our own institutions and in ourselves. We strive to uphold Jesus Christ’s teachings bytreating all people with love, respect, kindness, and dignity and by promoting inclusion, justice, and equity.Structural racism is a public health crisis. It affects many aspects of health and well-being and is afundamental cause of persistent racial health disparities rooted in unfair disadvantage based on race, color,position, and resources. Structural racism is pervasive in interconnected sectors of society that affecthealth including housing, education, employment, health services, law enforcement, and criminal justice.As a public health program, we are committed to being proactive in anti-racism and promoting learningin the classroom, at the university, and in the community that will advance health equity, eliminate healthdisparities, and lift individuals, families, and communities from the hostile effects of racism. To this end,we will take the following actions:• Listen and seek to understand the experiences and perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and Peopleof Color (BIPOC) students, faculty, staff, and alumni.• Continually examine our own implicit biases and participate in continuing education and trainingrelated to diversity, inclusion, and racism.• Create inclusive environments in and out of the classroom where people of all backgrounds feelwelcomed and heard, offensive racial comments are not acceptable, and inspired teaching andmeaningful conversations against racism can unify and change minds and hearts.• Implement a coordinated curriculum in BYU’s public health courses integrating cultural humilityand topics related to diversity, inclusion, and racism.• Address racism as a critical issue in our public health research and practice.• Advocate for racial equity in our communities.• Request periodic external evaluation of our ongoing efforts.We believe that acting against racism gives us opportunities to understand each other better, to learntogether, and to change unjust systems and structures that segregate America’s BIPOC from upwardmobility, opportunity, and health. As we seek solutions to the injustice of racism, we wholeheartedly echothe words of President Russell M. Nelson, Derrick Johnson, Leon Russell, and The Reverend Amos C.Brown:“Answers to racism, prejudice, discrimination and hate will not come from government or lawenforcement alone. Solutions will come as we open our hearts to those whose lives are different than ourown, as we work to build bonds of genuine friendship, and as we see each other as the brothers and sisterswe are—for we are all children of a loving God” (Locking Arms for Racial Harmony in America, jointlyauthored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the NAACP, 2020).Endorsed by Department of Public Health Faculty and Staff July 202016
BYU MPH Diversity and Inclusion CommitteeFaculty Advisor: Jeff GlennCommittee Members: Cyrille Kouambo, Gwen Kleinhenz, Janaya Brown,Lily KimVisionEmbracing Diversity will bring richness to the learningenvironment and prepare students for future publichealth careers.Mission StatementBrigham Young University’s Master of Public HealthDiversity and Inclusion Committee works to encouragea diverse student body, foster inclusion and unity, andenhance students’ ability to make positive, well informedimpacts in the field of public health.17
- Page 2 and 3: PublisherCarl HansonEditorsEmily Ey
- Page 4 and 5: Letter from the ChairDear Colleague
- Page 6 and 7: Our MissionThe Department of Public
- Page 8 and 9: Meet Our Faculty MembersMichael Bar
- Page 10 and 11: Meet Our Faculty MembersAlisha Rede
- Page 12 and 13: MPHProgram10
- Page 14 and 15: Dr. Chantel SloanAssociate Professo
- Page 16 and 17: Diversity and InclusionSubtitle of
- Page 20 and 21: 18Our Graduates
- Page 22 and 23: Marco VerdejaStudent EmphasisHappin
- Page 24 and 25: Go Forth To ServeBrittany Brown, MP
- Page 26 and 27: PublicationsAbbott, B. W., Chaston,
- Page 28 and 29: Hanson, C., Allen, E., Fullmer, M.,
- Page 30 and 31: Mulugeta, H., Bediru, W., Ashuro, Z
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