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Reflecting on the Year | 2023

In celebration of our first birthday as SMA, three reflections from this year that I’ll share:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Health Workforce Diversity Initiative

NEW Advocacy Newsletter – Sign up now!

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.

Contribute to Social Mission

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.