Film Screening and Discussion Helps Celebrate Black History Month
The Documentary, Aftershock, Examined the U.S. Maternal Health Crisis
The NYMC community gathered to view the documentary, Aftershock, and engaged in in-depth discussion on the U.S. maternal health crisis on February 9, in recognition of Black History Month. The documentary examined the preventable deaths of two young Black women in New York City due to childbirth complications and followed their bereaved families who fought for justice and galvanized activists, birth workers and physicians to reckon with the U.S. maternal health crisis. The event was hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Christian Medical and Dental Association, Obstetrics and Gynecology Student Interest Group, Student National Medical Association and the Universal Health Club.
Many participants in the audience were shocked by the statistics provided in the film regarding the maternal health system in the U.S. and particularly the impact on Black women. In the film, one of the advocates who had lost his wife due to preventable childbirth complications, addressed an audience at a rally with the cry, "If you're here today, that shows that you want to re-imagine this system." Wianda Jean, M.S., assistant to the vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, echoed that sentiment to the audience and encouraged them to use the information they now know about this issue to begin enacting change, particularly as future physicians.
The evening closed with Mill Etienne, M.D. ’02, M.P.H., vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion and associate dean for student affairs, and associate professor of neurology and of medicine, sharing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the medical space at NYMC and details of the implicit bias trainings for staff and faculty.