This is the first year that the John P. Gladney M.D. Diversity Awards at Saint Louis University moved forward without its namesake trailblazer. Dr. Gladney passed away last year, shortly after the 2011 awards program. His widow, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were present to join the School of Medicine in honoring his lasting legacy to diversity in medicine.
Otolaryngologist John H. Gladney, M.D. was the first African American to chair a clinical department at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and the first African American otolaryngology department chair in the U.S., said Mark A. Varvares, M.D., otolaryngology chair. Gladney started off as SLU faculty and had a long career with the School of Medicine.
Mark A. Varvares, M.D., otolaryngology chair at the medical school, reminded attendees of the tremendous contributions Gladney made to Saint Louis University, starting off as a faculty member, which became a long and loyal career.
“He had to work hard to make his own opportunities as he attempted to establish his practice here in St. Louis in the 1960s,” Varvares described. “He frequently answered the call to serve. He taught Saint Louis University medical students; he taught our residents of otolaryngology; he served as interim chair of the Department of Otolaryngology during a difficult time for the department.”
He described Gladney as extraordinarily kind.
“He was always optimistic, had a great sense of humor and was always ready to give advice,” Varvares said. “He recognized the importance of solid basic science foundation to the clinician.”
Inequity and health care
Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., president and CEO of the Association of Medical Colleges, was the guest speaker at the April 26 event. He spoke of inequities that exist in health outcomes as it relates to poverty and education.
“Inequities in education, which we know are a problem in America, worsen our problems in health care,” Kirch said. “In fact, we are good in America at ignoring the fact that these things are as important as what your DNA is when it comes to your health.”
Kirch said he thinks as a nation is finally coming together to make a commitment to make a change, which includes rethinking the way universities handle admissions the way students are welcomed, selected and accepted into medicine as a career.
“If we could attract a more diverse pool of people into medicine, I think we would end up with a pool of people more committed to solving these inequities,” Kirch said.
“The entry point to medical school and a whole career in medicine is also going to depend on what kind of person you are…how rich has your experience been; how have you handled a challenge; how much passion do you show for the possibility of taking care of patients.”
In addition to academic readiness, personal qualities Kirch describes as pre-professional readiness, will be taken into account.
“Hopefully in your life you have demonstrated some integrity; hopefully in your life you’ve demonstrated some resilience – overcoming adversity; hopefully in your life you’ve shown people some compassion,” Kirch said. “And we’ll be working very hard to add those criteria and to assess those criteria in the people who enter medical school.
“We are also working hard to acknowledge that diversity in all its forms will make medicine richer,” Kirch added.
Tukisa Smith wins Gladney Award
The 2012 Gladney Diversity Award winner is Tukisa Smith, a fourth year medical student, who was active with the school’s admissions committee; served in the Health Resource and the Cancer centers; a mentor for high school students in the Office of Minority Affairs Smart Track program and is past chair of the local chapter of the Student National Medical Association.
Gregory Smith, Ph.D., assistant dean for educational development, said Smith stood out because of her passion for research and her dedication for service of others.
“In my own heart, she represents exactly what we are trying to do in Jesuit education – individuals with a thriving thirst for knowledge –people who do for others,” Gregory Smith said.
She has conducted viable research in otolaryngology, dermatology, surgery, infectious diseases and public health.
“From those collaborations, she herself has made five presentations at regional and national meetings and has published three full-length manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and has a fourth on the way under review,” Smith said.
“It’s just been wonderful to be here to be among other medical students who are committed to not only excellence but to accomplish community service and embrace diversity and understand the importance of diversity,” Tukisa Smith said. “And to have faculty members who constantly challenge students and faculty alike to embrace diversity and to implement it in your daily lives.”
Before earning her M.D. at SLU, Tukisa Smith earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master of science degree from Johns Hopkins University. She is going into internal medicine at SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn, New York.
A Special Recognition Award was presented to fourth year medical student Elizabeth Alabi for her work with the Student National Medical Association and community service as a mentor and lecturer on women’s health issues at Roosevelt High School. She is going into OB/GYN at Vanderbilt for residency.
Two other seniors were recognized as Diversity Champions. Nicholas J. D’Angelo founded a gay and lesbian association of medical students. He is going into family medicine at Jackson Memorial in Florida. Jaya Badhwar was active with the Indian Student Association and the International Student Federation. She is going into ophthalmology at Duke University.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs presents the annual Gladney awards.
“The pathway that you take is very much instrumental in determining your outcome,” SLU Associate Dean Michael T. Railey, M.D. of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said to students in the audience. “The more experiences you have and the more diversity that you have, we believe, even greater opportunities for excellence.”
