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#TeamLA

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We play like a team here.

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Together, we will win like one.

At this time of elevated uncertainty and change, it is all the more imperative that we remember to pause and reflect on our Cultural North Star as we navigate new and complex territories, both personally and professionally. In every one of our decisions, conversations and interactions, we have an opportunity to do what’s right, make things better and be kind – and to honor our commitment as members of the DGSOM and UCLA community to foster an inclusive environment that celebrates and respects the unique backgrounds, contributions and opinions of each individual.

#TeamLA

#TeamLA, a new movement launched by UCLA Health designed to empower everyone – from influencers and celebrities to the general public - to show our collective support of social distancing and to express gratitude for all of the workers who are on the front lines.

People are encouraged to show support by posting a video, picture or an uplifting message on their Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn channels using the hashtag #TeamLA and be sure to tag @UCLAHealth in your post. Help us spread news of this unique opportunity to fight this virus, as a team.

SEE #TEAMLA ON TWITTER→

Student Volunteers

In the spring, a cross-disciplinary team of student, faculty, and staff volunteers united to address the need for more PPE by designing and creating protective face shields. These volunteers delivered much-needed shields to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Read more about the self-organizing student volunteers and the engineering collaborators. 

TeamLA comes together to fight COVID-19
Neha Akkad, fourth year medical student

How You Can Help 

  • Take the Stop COVID-19 Together survey, a new web-based app that will enable the public to help fight the spread of the coronavirus.
  • Recognize your peers or colleagues for their contributions by submitting a digital Cultural North Star card.
  • Donate blood. The UCLA Blood & Platelet Center is experiencing a shortage of donated blood. Across its donation sites and blood drives in Westwood, Santa Monica and Ackerman Union, the Center has implemented numerous safety measures to protect donors and staff during the COVID-19 outbreak. Find a donation site // Make an appointment // Learn more
  • Volunteer to support our frontline health care teams: https://www.lacovidvolunteers.org/ (website is not managed by or associated with UCLA or the DGSOM).
  • Consider a donation to UCLA Health’s new COVID-19 Coronavirus Patient Care Fund and the COVID-19 Coronavirus Research and Education Fund. Details on each are available online, as are additional opportunities to support UCLA Health’s COVID-19 response efforts.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion during COVID-19 Pandemic

During this unprecedented time, we are increasingly hearing about prejudicial acts, words or comments that target vulnerable populations. In addition, individuals from Asian backgrounds have reported discrimination and bias in their neighborhoods, while out obtaining critical food or medications, and in their work environments. Now, as always, it is critical that we uphold our shared values of equity and diversity inclusion and work together to protect the fabric of our communities.

What you can do to address bias and prejudice:

  • Be prepared to actively interrupt instances of negative bias (advice on how to disrupt microaggressions)
  • Provide education to correct misinformation. And continue to educate yourselves about the history of anti-Asian rhetoric that exists in the U.S.
  • Support those who are unfairly targeted.
  • Approach each conversation with the understanding that this is a stressful time for many people; out of respect for each person’s emotional response, ask for permission before starting a conversation about the outbreak.
  • Avoid making generalizations about a group of people and reflect on why you may be doing so.

Reporting incidents of bias during remote learning/teaching

As enunciated in Chancellor Gene Block and EVCP Emily Carter’s April 1 “Campus Update” on protecting our remote learning environments, UCLA students and faculty who experiences a bias incident should report it by completing a UCLA Incident of Bias Reporting Form. Additional security measures, including enhanced Zoom guidelines, have also been implemented.

Resources

  • DGSOM Anti-racism Roadmap website
  • “The New Coronavirus Affects Us All. But Some Groups May Suffer More” by the AAMC
  • COVID-19 Resources for Vulnerable Communities from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health’s Center for the Study of Racism, Social Justice, and Health
  • "COVID-19: What's in a Name?" from UCLA Vice Chancellor Jerry Kang 
  • Equity and Inclusion During COVID-19 from the UC Council of Chief Diversity Officers
  • DGSOM's Cultural North Star, a democratic framework that empowers us to act with courage and honesty in the face of sentiments or actions that do not align with our guiding values
  • Additional resources and background information will be posted to the DGSOM Office of Equity and Diversity Inclusion website
  • Contact DGSOMEDI@mednet.ucla.edu with any questions or concerns

Cultural North Star: The values that guide us

The Cultural North Star unites us in our shared mission; sets clear and high expectations for our actions and interactions; and helps facilitate problem-solving, decision-making and collaboration.

  • Refer to our Cultural North Star pillars and purpose statements during the course of your work day.
  • Contact culturalnorthstar@mednet.ucla.edu with any questions.
  • Fill out a digital Cultural North Star card, sharing a positive story or recognizing your peers’ and colleagues’ efforts.
  • Represent the Cultural North Star in your virtual interactions. You can download one of our new Zoom backgrounds here.
  • Learn more: medschool.ucla.edu/cultural-north-star

Cultural North Star Moments

Jenny Ahn has helped rapidly activate more than 10 studies since March.

Bill Holloway embodies every aspect of the Cultural North Star.

Alexandra Gomez has worked countless hours to execute flawless weekly Zoom meetings for health system members.

Anthony Keehne is a superstar educator whose compassionate lectures allwo his students to embrace their potential.

Merel Bot lives the Cultural North Star, and was recognized by Erin Quinn in Research Saftey

Gevorg Stepanyan lives the Cultural North Star, and was recognized by Bishoy Anastasi in CTSI

Laura Baybridge lives the Cultural North Star, and was recognized by Rex Santos in OBGYN

Dr. Omai Garner lives the Cultural North Star, and was recognized by Alyssa Ziman in Pathology

Vanita Varma lives the Cultural North Star, and was recognized by Kate Peters in OBGYN

Boston Chiou lives the Cultural North Star, and was recognized by Ixel Gonzalez in Psychiatry

The entire DGIT team lives the Cultural North Star, and was recognized by Sharon Younkin in the Dean's Office

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