News

Telva Olivares, MD Named Interim Senior Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

Telva Olivares, MD, associate chair of diversity, inclusion, culture, and equity in the Department of Psychiatry, has accepted a role as interim senior associate dean for equity and inclusion at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

In the interim role, Olivares will provide strategic and thought leadership on issues pertaining to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) for all students, faculty, and staff of the School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Olivares will also focus on three important issues at the Medical Center: updating and aligning the Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan (EARAP) with the Boundless Possibility Strategic Plan; reconnecting with Department Chairs as it relates to DEIJ; and reinvigorating the DEI Ambassador Program within the Medical Center.

“Dr. Olivares’ clinical background combined with her passion and leadership for improving the lives of the underserved in our community makes her uniquely qualified to fill this interim role,” said David Linehan, MD, CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center and dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. “Her expertise will support our forward momentum toward realizing health equity in Rochester.” 

Olivares is stepping aside as clinical chief of the Division of Medicine in Psychiatry, a role she has held since 1999. In addition to serving as interim senior associate dean for equity and inclusion, she will retain her role as associate chair of diversity, inclusion, culture, and equity in the Department of Psychiatry and as director of Lazos Fuertes, a mental health program for Latinos.

“We are eager for Telva to begin her work aligning and advancing the equity and inclusion efforts at the Medical Center,” said Adrienne Morgan, PhD, vice president for equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer. “The Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan was a bold step forward for our institution. Given her involvement as head of the Health Equity Steering Committee, we will benefit from her leadership in this and many other areas. She is the right person at the right time.” 

Olivares says language equity remains a deeply rooted passion of hers. “I want us to become an institution where a person of any national origin can feel welcome. That is my goal,” said Olivares. “I want us to have in place a culture where clinicians, even if they don’t speak the language of the patient, still know how to meet their patient’s needs and that the people who come here for care know that they will be listened to and heard.”

Olivares says she also wants increased accountability when it comes to health equity work, even greater access to data to help drive decisions and, to increase trust within the Rochester community. Above all else, she wants to be impactful.

“At the end of the year, will I be proud of what I did? I do not want to be a person who sits for a year waiting for someone to be selected. I want to make contributions that advance us during whatever time I will be in this position. I want to be effective and actionable.”

A search for a permanent senior associate dean for equity and inclusion is now underway.

 

 

Caroline Nestro to Lead Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Affiliates

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Caroline Nestro, PhD, MS, RN has been selected as the inaugural director of equity, diversity, and inclusion for affiliate hospitals within the UR Medicine health care network. Nestro, currently the interim director of DEI at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, has more than 20 years of experience in DEI and a reputation as a collaborative leader with a keen eye toward strategic innovation.

“Caroline was a natural choice. During her career in nursing, she has always shown effective leadership while also advocating for those who are marginalized,” said Adrienne Morgan, PhD, vice president for equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer. “We are thrilled to have someone with her skill and passion in this inaugural role.”

Nestro will advance the university-wide DEI institutional priorities at the University of Rochester Medical Center and regional locations. She will also act as a consultant to affiliate DEI directors on the implementation of best practices, how to identify and address barriers related to meeting their DEI goals, and by spreading awareness across the affiliate hospitals regarding available resources. 

She will continue in her role as the interim director of equity and inclusion at the University of Rochester School of Nursing where she has worked collaboratively with the School’s Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She’s also a member of the Health Equity Steering Committee and has had a longstanding presence on University and Medical Center-wide DEIJ Committees.

“Dr. Nestro’s work has been integral to creating a more welcoming and equitable environment for all our students, faculty, and staff,” said Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, dean of the University of Rochester School of Nursing and vice president of the University of Rochester Medical Center. “Her new role will amplify her positive influence, allowing her to continue driving progress at our School of Nursing while simultaneously spearheading DEI initiatives across our wider health care network.” 

After beginning her career in medical, surgical, and intensive care nursing, Nestro has spent the past 40 years in psychiatric nursing and says her background will inform how she approaches her work with faculty and staff throughout UR Medicine’s affiliated hospitals.

“Psychiatric nurses are very attuned to group dynamics, systems, and processes. I’m also very much a strengths-based clinician, so I’m always looking for the strengths that a system has and will work to build upon those,” Nestro said. “In this role, I aim to support our affiliates’ priorities in equity and inclusion, help them to address health disparities where they may exist, and improve health outcomes. My focus will be on fostering strong collaborative relationships to create lasting, positive change across our health care network.”

Nestro has a long history working within systems to bring about positive change. In 2014, she took on the role of senior project manager to the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS) where she assisted in writing the application and initiating two of the projects across 13 counties in a New York State health care initiative (DSRIP).

“I am really excited about the synergies that we may discover as I collaborate with the affiliates,” said Nestro. “These synergies will be beneficial to each of those hospitals, the Medical Center as well as to our staff, faculty, learners and the communities we serve.”

 

Free Training for URMC Staff on Improving LGBTQ+ Healthcare

Monday, June 10, 2024

As a participant in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index, over 200 different online, on-demand CME accredited LGBTQ+ training options are free to URMC staff. These training options include both interactive eLearning courses, and live and recorded webinars from the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center and the CAL. Topics range from the basics of LGBTQ+ Patient-Centered Care to more specialized topics for clinicians. 

To register with the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, you will be required to create a username and enter your email and name. To sign up for the CAL, you will need the Security Keyword (HRC) and our HEI Facility ID (55712), as well as responses to a few questions about your role.

For questions about this training please email: genderpatientsupport@urmc.rochester.edu.

Strong Memorial Hospital a High Performer in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Index

Monday, June 3, 2024

Strong Memorial Hospital earned a High Performer score in the 2024 Human Rights Campaign Foundation Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). The designation was awarded in May. A record 1,065 healthcare facilities actively participated in the HEI 2024 survey and scoring process. Of those participants, 462 received the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer” designation.

Healthcare facilities, including Strong Memorial Hospital, were scored based on meeting the following criteria:

• non-discrimination and staff training
• patient services and support
• employee benefits and policies
• patient and community engagement
• responsible citizenship

Strong was recognized as a High Performer for scoring 90 out of 100 points for, among other criteria, having clearly communicated LGBTQ+ inclusive patient non-discrimination, visitation, and employment non-discrimination policies. Another area of excellence is patient services and support, with Strong receiving full credit for meeting best practices in patient identification and data collection.

“We are honored by this designation, which recognizes our commitment to supporting and caring for LGBTQ+ people,” said URMC CEO and SMD Dean David Linehan, MD. “It is rewarding to be in the company of other health care organizations that prioritize comprehensive equity for all. But we know we have more work to do to assure we are inclusive of all patients, family members, and staff, and that we are breaking down barriers to guarantee equitable access to quality health care.”

As the nation recognizes Pride Month this month, the designation holds even more significance. This year’s HEI comes as LGBTQ+ adults are twice as likely as non-LGBTQ+ adults to be “treated unfairly or with disrespect by a doctor or healthcare provider” in the last three years, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The impact of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation combined with a history of discrimination in healthcare settings has the potential to cause even more LGBTQ+ people to delay or avoid seeking healthcare, which makes the HEI even more salient for those looking to find LGBTQ+-inclusive care.

Megan Lytle, Clinic Director of Transgender Patient Experience at URMC said, “Working towards eliminating the health disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals is my life’s work. With support from URMC’s Health Equity Program Support Office, my team and I are creating a collaborative interdisciplinary care model, called the Gender Patient Support (GPS): Health & Wellness Program, that focuses on addressing physical and behavioral health needs of transgender and gender diverse adults in a supportive and compassionate environment. Additionally, we have created the URMC Transgender Health ECHO to share our knowledge and skills with health care professionals across the region.” 

To learn more about URMC and other healthcare facilities that took part in this year’s HEI, click here.

Free tickets to Red Wings Tribute to the Negro Leagues

Sunday, June 2, 2024

University of Rochester and University of Rochester Medical Center employees and students can claim up to 4 free tickets to the annual Rochester Red Wings Salute to the Negro Leagues Night at Innovative Field on June 14. The annual game celebrates the Negro Leagues contribution to major league baseball history. Students and employees can pick up their tickets at the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the Medical Center, 1-4444, and University of Rochester, 140 Wallis Hall, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis.

 

Happy Ramadan 2024

Monday, March 11, 2024

 

 

This year, Ramadan began Sunday, March 10, 2024 and will end on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Muslims fast each day of Ramadan from dawn until dusk, for the duration of the month. Ramadan commemorates the month during which Muslims believe the prophet Muhammed was given the first revelations of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, from the angel Gabriel.  This holy month is a time for introspection. Ramadan is also intended to bring Muslims closer to their faith and to Allah (“God”).

During Ramadan, only healthy adults are required to fast. Faculty and staff are asked to be aware of this and to make accommodations as needed.

 

 

UR Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct Results Now Available Online

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

In spring 2023, the University of Rochester participated in the Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct, administered by Westat in a nearly identical form to prior climate surveys organized by the Association of American Universities (AAU).

Rochester students studying at all levels and across all schools were encouraged to participate in the survey, which assessed:

• The campus climate around sexual assault and sexual misconduct
• The frequency and nature of sexual assault and sexual misconduct
• The frequency and nature of sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, and stalking
• What students know and think about resources related to sexual assault and sexual misconduct

At the conclusion of the survey, Westat compiled and organized the data for our campus. The University’s survey report and appendices prepared by Westat are posted on the University’s Title IX website.

What do these results mean for University of Rochester students?

The results of the survey help the University understand the prevalence and nature of students’ experiences with sexual and relationship violence, harassment, and other sexual misconduct, as well as students’ knowledge and opinion of the Title IX resources available to them.

The survey results are used to inform University leadership and officials of the greatest areas of need to direct resources and prevention efforts.  Specifically, we will use the information in the survey report to assess the effectiveness of our training and other ongoing education programs to ensure that all community members feel well-informed about how to recognize, report, and prevent sexual harassment in University spaces and places. 

Finally, the survey results will help us understand what communication strategies can be improved so that students, faculty, and staff know where to find and how to access the relevant policies, processes, and resources. 

We are grateful to all undergraduate and graduate students who participated.

For specific questions about Rochester’s 2023 Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct, please contact titleix@rochester.edu.

How to support the Title IX Office

If you are interested in supporting the Title IX Office’s work:

Go to the Title IX Office’s CCU webpage to learn about upcoming events!

Register to take the Medallion course for the BADASS (Being Aware, Deciding to Act, and Saying Something) Bystander program, in which students learn skills to be active and empowered bystanders who can take action to interrupt harm to others.

We are seeking faculty and staff to support UR community members as trained advisors and support persons within the University’s Title IX and Student Sexual Misconduct processes.  If you are interested in supporting UR community members in this way, please contact titleix@rochester.edu for more information.