Newsletter sent December 7, 2023, written by Toyese Oyeyemi.
Greetings friends,
For the FINAL Social Mission Alliance newsletter of 2023, I have the honor of contributing as guest editor.
It’s a particularly special edition for me as this week marks one year since Beyond Flexner Alliance became Social Mission Alliance, a year of growth, challenges, and victories for social mission in health professions education
In celebration of our first birthday as SMA, three reflections from this year that I’ll share:
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Institutional change can take place irrespective of national climate – and even because of it. Motivated by Supreme Court decisions and anti-DEI legislation, advocates nationally used these threats as an opportunity to double down on social mission practices and policies.
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Movements can be decentralized. There are so many different community contexts and resources that can offer even more power to change efforts at a local or institutional level. A well-resourced community based workforce is a social mission investment worth advocating for, and some great examples exist.
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Without sincere collaboration, transformation can be elusive. In an increasingly polarizing landscape for American health professions education — and health equity more broadly — an inclusive education movement is critical. Partnerships across value-aligned organizations and individuals are critical.
To that final point, I am grateful to each of you — changemakers and ambassadors of social mission — who understand that health equity requires transformative leadership. Needed moving forward are constructive national and local discussions that amplify how everyone is better off when our health profession schools are socially accountable and community-responsive: and then we need action towards these transformations.
There is no shortage of opportunity to look forward to in 2024 as we continue evolving the social mission movement and our commitment to health professions education that is not only better, but more just.
Sincerely,
Toyese
2023 Additions to SMA Advisory Board
Warm welcome to the newest Advisory Board members of the Social Mission Alliance. Our interprofessional advisors help set the national direction for social mission and provide invaluable strategic support.
2023 Additions to SMA Advisory Board
2023 Additions to SMA Advisory Board
2023 Additions to SMA Advisory Board
Health Workforce Diversity Initiative
An important tool for your advocacy toolbox, the Health Workforce Diversity Tracker at the Mullan Institute is a resource for students, community advocates, policymakers, researchers and more.
ICYMI: California and Louisiana state level reports are available in addition to tracker data
How does your state measure up when it comes to the diversity of health professions schools and the workforce that they produce?
NEW Advocacy Newsletter - Sign up now!
Are you passionate about the intersection between social mission and health professions advocacy? Sign up for SMA’s quarterly advocacy newsletter. Stay informed about the most recent developments, challenges, and successes in state and federal policy, as well as national advocacy efforts. Together, let’s amplify our voices and create a healthier, more equitable health workforce community!
Fellowship Programs
There’s few experiences I’ve had that have been more meaningful than my fellowship experiences. The networking. The specialized training. The support (or sometimes commiseration). All invaluable for learners and practitioners alike. Here are a few currently open:
Health Education Leadership Development Initiative (HELDI) Fellowship | Apply by January 16
One-year residential fellowship program in the Washington, DC area, open to recent and upcoming graduates.
Health Career Connections | Apply by Dec. 11
HCC offers a comprehensive paid summer internship program that provides invaluable exposure, experience, mentoring, and networking in the health field.
$30,000 Dissertation Fellowship Opportunities | Apply by Dec. 29
Opportunity for $30,000 to support up to two scholars from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in any health-related field completing their dissertation.
![Fellow Spotlight: Aroona Toor. “MLDP [now HELDI] has empowered me to ensure community perspectives are integral to my government work, a commitment I carry into my role as a Program Officer at HRSA. I am grateful for this journey and the personal, professional and learning opportunities that came with it.”](https://socialmission.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aroona-1024x1024.png)
Contribute to Social Mission
We are excited to see members of the alliance in person in Durham, NC from April 8-10. Our team has been hard at work with our co-host Duke University School of Nursing to bring our alliance together for the seventh time in our organization’s history. Learn more at our conference website
Finally, please consider investing in social mission this holiday giving season. Your tax deductible gift provides ongoing support for the SMA initiatives that support student advocacy, social mission research, and institutional change strategies.
