California State University of Bakersfield’s Department of Student Health Services has introduced a new task force to better support diversity, equity, and inclusion within campus healthcare.
SHS drafted a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan, and added a section to bring awareness to accessibility.
During summer 2023, the strategic plan was approved internally by the Student Health Center, and they plan to show up and share health resources to CSUB students.
One of the action items within the DEI(A) plan was to implement a HEAL, health, equity, accessibility, and inclusion task force that supports the unique experiences of the students on campus.
Erika Delamar, associate director of Student Health Services and HEAL taskforce chair, said the SHS took data from The Office of Minority Health, which shows health inequalities and concerns within a wide range of diverse communities.
As a result SHS will focus on highlighting different health disparities between different communities. Furthermore they understand that your socio-economic situation plays into effect the health care services you receive.
“We also know that another factor is socioeconomic status… with health care being a basic need we wanted to address that in addition,” said Delamar.
During Hispanic Heritage Month, SHS is offering free blood glucose testing and blood pressure checking. The research they gathered showed that people who are Hispanic have a 70% higher chance of being diagnosed with diabetes, according to the information they gathered from the Office of Minority Health.
In general the SHS department also provides immunizations, sexual health services, and nutrition counseling. In the future SHS shared that they plan to offer students health insurance through Covered California.
The taskforce isn’t just for the student health center, but for the entire CSUB community . They want to ensure that there are outside representatives within the department, said Delamar.
Two members from Associate Student Incorporated, a representative from each affinity group on campus, Emily Callahan, dean of students, and Marcus Brown, Title IX coordinator, are all involved in the HEAL Taskforce Committee.
Through the department of SHS, they have implemented a HEAL Diversity Ambassador program within Student Health Services, “ [In order to] have a more inclusive health center environment and provide services,” said Candice Banducci, nurse practitioner for the SHS department.
Diversity ambassadors will have to go through a series of trainings on topics such as implicit bias, microaggressions in health care, and LGBTQ + inclusivity. They will then receive the title of Diversity Ambassador, along with a special pin to wear on their identification badges.
“Our hashtag is #fightingforequity and the flip side of that is what is the health center doing to fight for you,” said Delamar.
The SHS plans on also implementing a workshop series early November 2023, that will focus on how to be your own healthcare advocate.
Delamar said for students who are trying to navigate the healthcare system, it is most likely their first time doing it on their own.
With these workshops, they hope to equip students with questions to ask and apps to help them at the doctors, and teach them how to track their health concerns.
The department of Student Health Services plans to be at CSUB celebratory months to advocate for the students and share resources available.
For more information visit: https://www.csub.edu/healthcenter/deia or call (661) 654-2394.
