506: Health Equity in Medicine with Dr. Cheryl Brewster

Dr. Cheryl Brewster is a fierce advocate for improving health equity in medicine. As the founding executive dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Roseman University College of Medicine (RUCOM), the only private allopathic medical school in Nevada, Dr. Cheryl Brewster is charged with leveraging diversity, equity, and inclusion to advance the College's vision and mission with the goal of ensuring a learning and work environment in which students, faculty and staff realize a sense of belonging and facilitate more health equity in medicine. RUCOM is in the accreditation process and anticipates matriculating students in 2025. Cheryl comes to RUCOM from Miami, Florida, where she served in a similar position at Florida International University College of Medicine. During her tenure, she was successful in creating one of the most diverse and inclusive colleges of medicine in the nation. With 20+ years of experience, Cheryl has successfully designed and initiated results-oriented DEI-focused processes, plans, programs workshops/trainings for senior leaders, managers, and staff encouraging learning, reflection, awareness, and understanding as well as community building across differences. In episode 506 of Moxielicious®, Cheryl discusses what's needed to facilitate health equity in medicine, and more specifically, what she and Roseman University are doing to prepare a new generation of physicians who think and practice medicine more holistically and more equitably. We dig into: The systemic barriers that prevent BIPOC students from entering medical school How the social determinants of health impact health equity in medicine, and a person's overall health, as much, if not more, than genetics Why, when more women and people of color practice medicine, it provides better health outcomes for communities How the Roseman University College of Medicine is helping its medical students to develop empathy, enhance interpersonal communication skills, treat patients holistically, and co-create solutions with them Resources Mentioned in This Episode:   Learn more about the Roseman University College of Medicine and how they are leading the charge to facilitate more health equity in medicine Connect with Dr. Brewster on Instagram and Twitter Please leave a review and subscribe to Moxielicious® via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify so you never miss an episode!