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OUWB’s commitment to celebrating the cultural backgrounds of the individuals who make up its rich diverse community were on full display at a recent celebratory event.
Held last Thursday, the Culture 365 Kickoff marked the start of a year-round dedication to recognize and celebrate the school’s many different cultures represented by faculty, staff, and students.
In fact, Culture 365 “is OUWB’s year-round commitment to cultivating a school community where people feel connected, valued, respected, and engaged.”
The kickoff took place in the atrium of O’Dowd Hall and featured musical performances, dancers, speakers, and food.
“Culture isn’t something that we turn on for an event,” said Tonya Bailey, Ph.D., associate dean, DEI and Community Engagement.
“It’s actually something that we recognize every day throughout the year,” she continued. “It’s how we create a welcoming environment here at OUWB. It’s how we listen, it’s how we learn, it’s how we respond. It’s how we intentionally engage in celebrating one another.”
Bailey said she hoped attendees would leave the kickoff gaining new connections with other individuals attending.
“We have an amazing Cultural 365 committee, but it is what (OUWB) does to connect everything that we are — our vision, our mission, our values — an intentional way to build community,” she said.
‘A year-long everyday celebration’
Before the event, Dylan Matthews, coordinator, Community Engagement and Outreach, explained that the performances were intended to honor the valuable perspectives of individuals in the community and allow attendees to gain a deeper understanding of Culture 365.
“This event brings awareness of Culture 365 — 365 days of spreading culture, diversity, and engagement,” he said.
“Today is a celebration. It is also an invitation,” said Bailey. “Because when we talk about Culture 365, the most important part of that name is 365.”
The first performance was by the Oakland University African Ensemble (led by Patrick Fitzgibbon), which included a grad student playing a piece called “Mandela.”
After the performance, Matthews introduced the first speaker, Courtney Shields, M2, president, Medical Student Government (MSG).
Shields shared in the excitement surrounding Culture 365 and the opportunities it will bring to the OUWB community.
“Today we kick off a year-long everyday celebration of not only what makes us unique, but what brings us together,” she told attendees.
“There’s a lot of division within the world, and opportunities like this, especially ones that are put on by your medical school, are really important to ensure that students all know that they are welcome and that we appreciate the diversity of our class,” she said later.
The next performer was Greg Ashe, director, Financial Services. Ashe, who is a professional opera singer, sang an aria from the opera Tosca called “Recondita Armonia.”
Ashe explained the importance of introducing students to diverse cultural experiences and performances.
“Maybe they’ve never been to an opera, or maybe never heard someone sing in a foreign language before, in a classical style,” he said. “I think it’s important to bring that aspect of culture to this event.”
The celebration continued with a Polish boat dance featuring Stephanie Marcincavage, director, Clinical Skills Training and Simulation Center, alongside dancing partner Renee (Kolodziejski) Courtney, N.P. The performance was an American Polish Polka that showcased traditional Polish folk costumes.
Shifting to spoken word, Deirdre Reddix, Ph.D., assistant dean, Clinical Faculty Affairs and Professional Development, recited a poem called “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou.
Closing the performances, OUWB’s DocApella group sang “Autumn Leaves” by Frank Sinatra with a unique twist, showcasing multiple different languages.
Shields said the DocApella performance stood out to her and mentioned how music brings individuals together.
“It highlights that although it’s all the same song, hearing it differently in different languages shows us we’re all the same in a way.”
Following the performances, Bailey emphasized what Culture 365 means to her on a personal level.
“Culture 365 to me means that I am seen, I am valued, and that I matter,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for me to express my heritage and to share that with my colleagues, students, and this entire community.”
“People might be surprised to learn of all the different talents that we have here within OUWB. There are performers, singers, artists, and so much that people bring to our community,” Bailey said.
Students emphasized the importance of celebrating and recognizing diverse cultures as future physicians.
“We’re going to be treating a lot of patients of diverse backgrounds and showing cultural appreciation for those who come from diverse backgrounds is very important,” said M2 Sarah Sheena.
M2 Mahmoud Teran expressed similar feelings.
“Being aware of the community you’re in is a really important thing,” said Teran. “OUWB is a very diverse school, so it’s important to know the different cultures and the people from those cultures.
For more information, contact Andrew Dietderich, senior marketing specialist, OUWB, at adietderich@oakland.edu.
To request an interview, visit the OUWB Communications & Marketing webpage.
