Black History Month Profile: Dr. Charles Drew
In recognition of Black History Month, the Black Ties for Culture employee resource group (ERG) presents a series of profiles throughout February spotlighting the achievements of African American health care pioneers.
Born in 1904 in Washington D.C., Dr. Charles Drew earned an undergraduate degree from Amherst College in Massachusetts in 1926 and received his degree in medicine from McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 1933.
While serving his residency at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, he began his groundbreaking research into blood transfusion and storage. The American Red Cross named him the first director of the organization’s blood bank in 1941, where Drew organized a program to collect, process and distribute blood for the military during World War II.
He discovered that blood could be separated into its different components (plasma, red blood cells and platelets) and stored for later use. This revolutionized the transport of blood and paved the way for modern blood banks. However, Drew eventually resigned from his American Red Cross position due to the organization’s policies that required the blood provided by African Americans and White donors be stored separately.
Drew served as the head of Howard Univerisity’s Department of Surgery for many years and as chief surgeon of the university’s Freedmen’s Hospital before he died in an auto accident in 1950 at age 45. His legacy lives on in the millions of people who have benefited from the American blood bank system.
Unparalleled Physician Communication Curriculum Begins This Month
The offices of Professional Fulfillment & Experience, System Patient Experience, System Quality & Safety, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion are pleased to announce the launch of the CME learning series, Unparalleled Physician Communication, also known as UPC, for all Houston Methodist physicians. The first module of the three-module series focuses on “Equitable Communication.” Sessions will be offered at hospital locations beginning later this month. All physicians are eligible and encouraged to participate. For more information and to register, visit learn.houstonmethodist.org. Questions can be sent to UPC@Houstonmethodist.org.
Event Focuses on Medical Notation
In recognition of Black History Month, the Black Ties for Culture ERG hosts “The Invisible Effect Medical Notes Could Have on Care” discussion on February 27 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. The virtual discussion will be led by Houston Methodist physician Phyllis M. Chappell, MD, MS, FAAHPM. For more information and to secure the link to the event, contact blacktiesforculture@houstonmethodist.org.
Use Your 2024 DEI Personal Day
Eligible employees may begin using their 2024 DEI Personal Day PTO hours to celebrate days that are special to them or other members of their faith, race, nationality or anything else that makes them unique. Please note that unlike standard PTO, the hours do not roll over to the next year, so don’t forget to use your personal day before the last day of the final pay period of 2024, which is December 14, 2024. As with all PTO hours, employee requests are subject to approval by their supervisor. For more details, see HR Policy 72.
Team Activity Focuses on Microaggressions
Would you like to learn to identify and understand the impact that microaggressions can have on your colleagues. The What Are You Saying? team activity helps you recognize the impact and meaning behind microaggressive statements. The DEI Toolkit provides resources on numerous topics to help you and your team continue the conversation around important DEI topics. To register for a Recognizing the Impact of Microaggressions learning session offered by the DEI Learning Team, search “DEI” in the LMS.
Register for Recognizing the Impact of Microaggressions Learning at HMSL
Microaggressions can lead to strained relationships and breakdowns in trust, as well as present barriers to promoting inclusivity. This session, scheduled at HMSL on Monday, Feb. 26 from 11 a.m. – noon in the Brazos Conference Rooms AD, will help you learn about microaggressions and provide tools to create inclusive language and enhance positive interactions. It will ignite powerful discussions, stimulate awareness and promote positive change. Click HERE to register.
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