Loading Events
Language Matters

Archived Event

The Alliance Conversation Series
The Power of Allyship Part I: Understanding the Impact and Power of Words

Presented on: Tuesday, February 15, 2022

The Alliance Conversation Series brings you cost-free, fast-paced collaborative opportunities that highlight successful donation and transplantation practices across the country. Through shared insight, multidisciplinary experts identify solutions to critical challenges affecting the community of practice and actively share them for open discussion and broader knowledge of effective practices.

The sessions encourage real-time feedback and participation from viewers.

Overview: Both professionally and personally, words matter and have the power to affect the way in which we communicate with one another. In healthcare settings, ineffective communication can have a lasting impact on healthcare delivery and the way we connect with patients and their families. In this three-part series, we will introduce a case study that describes the deadliest incident of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the history of the U.S – The PULSE Shooting. As the story unfolds, we will dive into the complexities surrounding this heartbreaking event and apply lessons learned to improve our daily practices and effectively support the diverse communities we serve. In this session, our panel will reflect on the incident and share their experiences on how words have positively and negatively impacted their day-to-day interactions with their patients, colleagues, etc. Additionally, the panel will explore ways healthcare professionals can lessen the negative impact that their words have on their patients and their families, especially in underserved communities.

Case Study Synopsis: This first-hand account of the active shooter incident that took place at the gay nightclub, Pulse, in June 2016 has been characterized as a targeted hate crime and an act of domestic terrorism. At the time, the nightclub was hosting a “Latin Night” with over 300 people in attendance, 50 of which died at the time of the shooting, including the shooter. Another 58 people were injured, 38 of which were pronounced dead at the scene. 90% of the victims were of Hispanic background, and half of those were of Puerto Rican descent. Additionally, there were four Dominican, three Mexican, three Columbian and two Canadian victims. Some of the victims were among the first to be legally married or engaged to be married.

To review the full case study, Click here

Added Learning Opportunity (optional) We encourage you to continue with us for an optional 30-minute Breakout Session that will take place following this session at 3pm ET/2pm CT/ 1pm MT/12 pm PT. These breakout discussions will serve as a value opportunity to connect with your peers in the community in small, collaborative groups and apply lessons learned from the general session. Following the breakout session, we will reconvene with our speakers to share key insights and strategies identified.

  • Recognize the power that words may have on our interactions with patients and colleagues.
  • Explain how words have different connotations among diverse populations.
  • Practice cultural humility to improve communication with others in sensitive situations.
  • Evaluate the best approach to communicating with people based on how the individual chooses to self-identify.
Hedi Aguiar
Speaker
Hedi Aguiar
RN, MSN
Program Consultant
Organ Donation and Transplantation Alliance

Transplant Center Professionals, Organ Procurement Organization Professionals, Quality Improvement Professionals and Leadership, OPO and Transplant Center Leadership, Directors, Managers, Clinicians, Front-line staff and Individuals interested in improving relationships between OPO and Transplant programs.

Continuing Education Credits

Continuing Education credits are no longer available for this learning opportunity.

Highlights from the OPTN Donation after Circulatory Death Procurement Collaborative
Advancing Equity to Save more Lives: The Latinx Community & The Ethical Paradox of Donation and Transplantation