Education & Training
The purpose of these foundational trainings is for University of Minnesota Medical School staff and faculty to develop a crucial baseline knowledge of the fundamentals of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and its intersection with our work with various stakeholders in higher education and in the healthcare field.
Foundational Trainings
The purpose of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s trainings is for University of Minnesota Medical School staff and faculty to develop a crucial baseline knowledge of the fundamentals on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and its intersection with our work with various stakeholders in the healthcare field. We encourage Twin Cities and Duluth Medical School staff and faculty to start here.
These trainings are designed to support participants to better understand why these DEI elements are core to our work in the pursuit of excellence in our medical discovery and patient care. Additionally, we strive to increase diversity in the medical field to reflect the communities we serve, especially those who are underserved and historically marginalized.
Each training session is live and interactive. Included may be large group grounding and discussions, interactive breakout rooms, opportunities to engage in self-reflection and self-assessment, and actionable takeaways. Attendees may receive 15-20 minute pre-work content to prepare to come fully engaged in each session. Due to the importance of confidentiality, our workshops are not recorded.
Below you will see the list of our training offerings. We encourage teams, divisions and departments to engage in any or all of these DEI trainings, which can be refined and personalized for your group.
Interested in this training? We can accommodate requests. Please complete this contact form. A minimum of 6 registrants is required.
Implicit Bias
Description: Implicit Bias is a form of prejudiced attitudes, actions and behaviors that occur automatically and unintentionally, that nevertheless affects judgments, decisions and behaviors. In order to remain excellent and innovative, we must embrace diversity of thought, actions and lived experiences. Our awareness of implicit bias will help us strengthen our decision making that allows us to boldly walk in our mission.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to define implicit bias and process how it shows up every day.
- Participants will be able to engage in reflective practices.
- Participants will be able to determine action steps to combat implicit biases.
Upcoming Dates:
Bystander Interventions
Description: Bystander interventions are about recognizing a potentially harmful situation or interaction and choosing to respond in a way that could positively influence an outcome. In the medical field, all voices are not always heard, yet with our teams we want to ensure that everyone feels value for who they are and their expertise. This training is a skill-building process that helps attendees recognize harm and analyze the consequences of our actions–or inactions.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to define bystander and process how it shows up every day.
- Participants will be able to engage in reflective practices.
- Participants will be able to determine action steps to become an active bystander.
Microaggressions & Macroaggressions
Description: A microaggression is an indirect, subtle or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group. A macroaggression is a large-scale or overt aggression toward those of a marginalized group. The consequences of these everyday occurrences impede the work we do with others and the progress we make as a collective to create belonging for all our community members. This training allows attendees to be mindful of these types of discriminatory practices and how to address them in team dynamics.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to define microaggressions and macroaggressions and process how they show up every day.
- Participants will be able to engage in reflective practices.
- Participants will be able to determine action steps to combat micro and macro aggressions
Micro Affirmations and Allyship: Addressing Workplace Toxicity and Power Dynamics
Description: Microaffirmations are small acts of appreciation, praise and recognition that others provide as feedback and encouragement (Ed Equity Resources). In order to boost morale and ensure value in others and what they contribute to our community and learning environment, we need to address workplace toxicity and power dynamics. One way in which we might do this is through the notion of allyship: the support of and advocacy for those in marginalized groups.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to define micro affirmations, allyship, and power dynamics.
- Participants will be able to engage in reflective practices.
- Participants will be able to determine action steps to productively engage in practices that promote microaffirmations and allyship in a work environment to mitigate workplace toxicity and promote a positive work culture.
Cultural Humility
Description: Cultural humility is a practice of self-reflection on how one’s own background—and the background of others—impacts teaching, learning, research, creative activity, engagement, leadership, etc. In this session, we ask you to discover the significance of cultural humility on yourself and those around you, leading to openness, lifelong learning, accountability, empathy and more.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to define what cultural humility is and what it is not.
- Participants will be able to engage in reflective practices.
- Participants will be able to determine action steps to engage in cultural humility practices.
Psychological Safety
Description: Simply put, we want to create an environment where people feel safe enough to ask questions, take risks, speak up, challenge others (respectfully, of course), and be themselves. Psychological safety creates an environment that promotes robust discussions where everyone feels heard and can contribute to the conversation even if their ideas are different from others. In this session, we will reflect on the great work you likely are already doing as well as explore ways to grow in this area so that we can adequately support everyone in our work environment.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to define psychological safety.
- Participants will be able to engage in reflective practices.
- Participants will be able to determine action steps to support and contribute to a psychologically safe workplace.
Workplace Wellbeing
Description: We all deserve to be in a welcoming, comfortable workplace. Unfortunately, that can sometimes be a challenge, considering we all have different expectations of what that looks like. This session is great for teams to come together and discuss unique challenges and goals, both individually and collectively. Expect to engage in community building and action planning that promotes wellbeing for all.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to define psychological safety.
- Participants will learn about the five essential elements of the U.S Surgeon General’s Workplace Wellbeing Framework.
- Participants will engage in reflective exercises.
- Participants will determine action steps to promote workplace wellbeing for themselves and others.
Dominant Culture
Description: One thing we all have in common is that we live in a culture that has dominant attributes that often hold back and push down. The guidelines we live by support many, but not all. In this session, we will dive into what dominant culture attributes are and determine how we can conceptualize ways to explore other means of reaching collective and individual success.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to define psychological safety and dominant culture.
- Participants will be able to engage in reflective practices.
- Participants will learn antidotes to dismantle dominant culture expectations for all.
Meet the Team
Matt Amundson, MEd (he/him) is a Learning and Development Manager (L&D) for the Medical School’s ODEI. Please contact him via email if you or your team has interest in training opportunities!
The Medical School Dean’s Lecture Series is a series of presentations offered to faculty, staff, and students in the Medical School community, as a response to critical issues that are emerging during the pandemic, as well as our efforts to address racial injustice and health disparities within our institution.