Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine faculty member to conduct virtual training for University of Nebraska Medical Center

Vicki T. Sapp, PhD will provide training regarding micro aggressions, implicit bias

Scranton, PA (09/24/2020) — Vicki T. Sapp, PhD, director for student engagement, diversity and inclusion and an assistant professor in Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine's (GCSOM) Department of Medical Education is scheduled to conduct virtual training for University of Nebraska Medical Center faculty and staff on Oct. 15, Nov. 20 and Dec. 4.

The training consists of three workshops

Trauma is REAL: Understanding and Interrupting Microaggressions After this training, participants will be able to understand how microaggressions impact the mental health of communities, recognize and identify a variety of ways to address microaggressions, both as the receiver and the bystander and practice a range of practical strategies to use in a variety of contexts.

Microaggressions Navigating Triggering Events Case Scenarios After this workshop, participants will closely inspect their first impressions of bias when examining cases, examine how their lived experiences and identities shape their biases, understand how bias functions in their day-to-day interactions, and understand the impact of biases in their daily decision-making process and identify ways to mitigate bias.

Intersectionality Examining Concepts of Privilege In this final workshop, participants will reflect on the impact of privilege in their own life, engage in discussions with colleagues to compare the effects of implicit bias and privilege, synthesize in small-group settings the effects of privilege on health equity, and analyze ways to mitigate privilege in institutional systems.

Dr. Sapp has delivered similar training at numerous conferences and at other universities, most recently at Wayne State University in Detroit. Post workshop surveys have given Dr. Sapp high marks for introducing audiences to the concepts of bias and microaggression, as well as equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively oppose them. She also challenges audiences to look inward, in addition to assessing the outer environment. As one participant noted, "I was reminded of how easy it is to realize the microaggressions that occur toward me, but that it's harder to identify the microaggressions I impose on others -- this is something I will work on more consciously."

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