Message from the CNHS Intercultural Excellence Director
Words cannot express how much I appreciate the month of November. I am always on cloud nine for three different reasons: it is my birthday month, Thanksgiving month, and Hogbetsotsoza month.
In this month, I am often reminded of my late mum’s advice to pursue activities for intrinsic reasons rather than external validation. So, I put aside everything and work closely with people who understand my fear, pain, hope, unspeakable joy, and true happiness. In other words, I believe her words were similar to Paul Graham’s: "Do nothing for prestige or status or money or approval alone...Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. It causes you to work not on what you'd like, but what you'd like to like."
Everyone who invited me into their classrooms this month felt these emotions, especially joy, as we discussed important topics: Disability in the Middle of Public Health, Global Health and Development, Intercultural Connections, Intentional Inclusion, Implicit Bias, and the college-wide presentation on Promoting Cultural Heritage and Nurturing Leadership Skills among Our Students.
As I learned from friends and families in the United States, November ushers in Thanksgiving, a holiday that strengthens family bonds and reminds a nation of the importance of gratitude. On the other hand, among the Anlo people of Ghana (my tribe), Hogbetsotsoza serves a similar purpose: uniting clans and communities in celebration of identity, heritage, and collective triumph. Hogbetsotsoza is a vibrant festival of remembrance, unity, and liberation, celebrated through rhythms, dances, and storytelling as we honor our dramatic escape from Notsey.
When we looked at these two celebrations through a global lens, we saw that both reveal how cultures find common ground in gratitude, remembrance, and unity. Though born from different histories, both invite communities to pause, reflect, and reconnect with values that define them. They are rich in symbolism and emotion—living traditions that inspire joy and pride. Together, they show how cultures worldwide find meaning in gratitude, memory, and togetherness.
Below is the picture of the students from Dr. Ela Dupont’s Occupational Therapy class.
Still in our CNHS classroom presentations, Noah and I were in the NH 1500 class, which is our introductory course for first-year College of Nursing and Health Sciences students. In our discussions with them, we help them explore various topics related to health majors and future careers. These discussions validate diverse perspectives and provide a platform for students from various cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds to share their unique experiences and viewpoints. It is always fulfilling to hear when our students express how these open discussions help them feel like an integral part of the classroom community. Below is a picture of some of the students from the NH 1500 course.
It has always been an honor and pleasure to go outside our CNHS community to other colleges on campus to support my faculty colleagues in seminars, workshops, or lectures. This month, I also worked with both graduate and undergraduate students in the Social Work Department. Here we discussed disability policies, why disability represents a major health equity issue, and why social workers are essential for both direct client support. They indicated their discussions also create a platform for influencing the broader public health system to become more inclusive and effective for people with disabilities. These discussions are very powerful for me as we try to connect to the issues practically in their field of work. Below are pictures of graduate and undergraduate students from the MSW and BSW courses of the Social Work Department.
Finally, I am grateful to all who made it to my college-wide presentation on the topic of “Promoting Cultural Heritage and Nurturing Leadership Skills among Our Students.” Almost all of you agreed that my presentation is the beginning of a discussion on a bigger platform, which I perfectly agree with. I feel so fulfilled to hear questions from our students, staff members, and faculty colleagues, especially from other colleges, requesting to organize a similar presentation for them. To me, this is a critical juncture, and I am looking forward to more open discussions across campus. For those of you who could not make it, we missed you. You can watch the recording here. (Passcode: beXh.Rc3)
Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for continuing to build an inclusive and compassionate UVM community.
Warm regards, Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie, Ph.D. Director of Intercultural Excellence / Lecturer
What Has Been Done:
The LCOM/CNHS Intercultural Excellence Presentation on “Promoting Cultural Heritage and Nurturing Leadership Skills among Our Students” was successfully held.
CPR training approved for ten CNHS staff.
Kaleidoscope student club cooked with CIE members.
New Independent Study: Public Health, Disability, Intercultural Connections (HSCI-1993, CRN 16227) created. Contact sefakor.komabu-pomeyie@med.uvm.edu for more information.
Message from the Chair of the CNHS Committee on Intercultural Excellence
Dear CNHS Community,
As we head into the end of the semester, I wanted to share a few updates from the Committee on Inclusive Excellence and highlight some recent and upcoming efforts that reflect our shared commitment to belonging, equity, and community connection.
First, keep an eye out for our upcoming panel event on family separation and the impacts of parental incarceration on children and caregivers in Vermont. This conversation will bring together local experts and community voices to help us better understand the human consequences of incarceration in our state. The date is still being finalized, and we will share details soon.
This past month, I also had the pleasure of hosting a cultural cooking class in collaboration with Kaleidoscope and CNHS students. Together, we made Thai Pad Krapow in the test kitchen—an evening full of good food, connection, and laughter. A special thank-you to everyone who joined us, and to the Nutrition and Food Sciences faculty for supporting this experience. It was a fun and meaningful way to build community, learn new skills, and celebrate the richness of our diverse cultures. Below you can find our lovely family picture at the kitchen.
Finally, as we approach Thanksgiving, I want to acknowledge the complexity of this time of year. For many, it is a moment to gather with loved ones and practice gratitude. It is also important that we recognize the historical and ongoing oppression faced by Indigenous peoples and continue to reflect on how we can honor their histories and sovereignty. I encourage us all to carry this awareness with care and intention.
Thank you for all you do to make CNHS an inclusive, thoughtful, and compassionate community.
Warmly, Noah Chair, Committee on Inclusive Excellence
Dean’s office approved funding for CAT ECare training for ten staff members in the spring semester.
CNHS Committee on IE: One staff member is invited to join the committee. Lisa will connect with Sefakor about the committee mission and distribute it to all CNHS staff to determine who the member will be.
Tracking Tools: We have a Google Doc for action items and collaboration, and a link to SharePoint for CNHS staff to use for collaboration.
Conversation about a post-holiday potluck for committee members will continue.
Brief discussion on staff utilizing AI. Committee members are interested in experimenting and learning more.
We have a sponsor who has offered to buy lunch for committee members when we meet.
Mary Hong, a member of the CNHS Dean search committee, is providing updates on its progress.
Two new visitors to our 11/19 meeting: Tish Boldwin & Beth Pratt.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, 12/2, 11:00 am to noon, Rowell 201A. Nursing will lead the meeting.
Best, Karen Morris Program Support, Rehabilitation & Movement Science
Wellness Corner
The Wellness Committee is responding to the survey we conducted that identified CNHS employees wanted more information on wellness resources available through UVM Employee Wellness. Your names have been added to the UVM Employee Wellness listserv. All relatively new employees are already on the listserv. If you have been here longer, you would have needed to opt in.
If you are already receiving these emails, nothing will change. If you were not, you will now receive emails from Employee Wellness with offerings for your health and well-being. If you prefer not to receive these emails, simply unsubscribe by clicking the link at the bottom of the email.
Sincerely, The CNHS Wellness Committee
Faculty Corner
Prof. Whitney Smith, Assistant Clinical Professor and Midwife at UVMMC, collaborated with Katherine Elmer, Health Coach and clinical herbalist with UVM’s Osher Center, to present at this year’s Health Equity Summit. Their workshop, “Moonwise: Reintegrating the Nurturing Power of the Feminine in Healthcare” was designed as a brave space to collectively reintegrate feminine healing wisdom for practitioners and providers of all genders.
The ideology of labeling folk, earth-based, and femme-affirming healing practices—including herbalism and midwifery—as a crime between the 12th and 17th centuries in Europe is foundational in the delegitimization and exclusion of such healing practices in contemporary healthcare settings. This has limited our ability to provide inclusive and affirming care to all patients, particularly women and BIPOC individuals. Participants learned about the historical foundation of this contemporary issue so that they may enhance equity and inclusion, particularly for people with identities historically marginalized in healthcare institutions.
Professor Whitney Smith, MSN, CNM (she/her) Clinical Assistant Professor
Student Corner
This week in Kaleidoscope, members are working together to establish an official constitution that encapsulates what the Kaleidoscope club really is: an inclusive, welcoming space to uplift underprivileged communities at UVM, but also open to all students who appreciate promoting a sense of belonging on campus.
We strive to support members and students through building meaningful connections during meetings and connecting students with mentors and new friends to help guide them in their college journey. Recently, we hosted an interactive Thai cooking event where Professor Barcley-Derman guided us through making Pad Kra Pow. The event was an enormous success and inspired more students to join this family.
If you want to play a part in serving this community step by step and make a large difference, please reach out to Sefakor to join! Everyone is welcome, and we would love to build our Kaleidoscope family.
Shaina Nguyen (she/her)
Kaleidoscope Vice President Class of 2029 Medical Laboratory Science Major
What's Happening
From December 1–5, and in honor of Giving Tuesday (12/2), LCOM & CNHS are partnering to host a Personal Care Item Drive to benefit the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS). We invite our academic health community to participate in this meaningful effort to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community. Your involvement will help provide essential items to those in need during the winter season.
CNHS Wellness Yoga with Laura Selin is working on more accessible movement options for the College! If you are interested in attending yoga in Rowell, please let Laura (laura.selin@med.uvm.edu) know so she can schedule sessions at times that work for the group.
VT EPSCoR Paid Summer Research Internship for Undergraduates May 25 – July 31, 2026 | University of Vermont, Burlington, VT NSF-funded program offering hands-on interdisciplinary research in data science, computational social science, media, health, and more. Details & application: uvm.edu/socks/node/65
