[Rx2021] Conversation on Equity and Justice

[Grieve, Victoria Luna Brennan]

Good morning everyone,


The Oath of the Pharmacist states that we are to “consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering (as our) primary concerns”.


Two weeks ago, on June 2nd, Chancellor Gallagher put out a statement <https://www.chancellor.pitt.edu/spotlight/statement-racial-injustice-and-death-george-floyd> regarding the current uprising around the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of Geoge Floyd and the subsequent police riots. He said, “this is also a time to turn the lens inward and consider our institution’s own role in perpetuating unfair structures and systems...Our university must become a better, more equitable place, and we can do more.” This call to action requires every school on campus to examine the systems put into place so that we may recognize and remove any bigotry found therein. Racism isn’t just direct hostility, it is far more insidious. Whether intentional or not, we must confront the racism baked into the systems that make up our culture.


Additionally, we have to face this reality in not only the school setting but the profession at large. On June 5th the national organizations for pharmacy put out their own statement<https://nationalpharmaceuticalassociation.org/resources/Documents/Pharmacists_RacialInjustice_V2.pdf> calling for pharmacists “as a profession, (to) stand in unity to advocate for the dismantling of systems that have historically marginalized and oppressed Black Americans in this country.” We have a duty as current and future representatives of the profession to stand against white supremacy and expunge it’s influence in the lives of our patients.


Pittsburgh, specifically, has been touted one of America’s “Most Livable Cities” and is generally heralded as progressive, but a study last September <https://www.publicsource.org/pittsburghs-black-residents-feel-consequences-of-inequality-more-starkly-than-in-other-u-s-cities-new-city-report-finds/> highlighted the stark contrast in the White and Black experience in the city. The conclusion that was reached stated, “if Black residents got up today and left and moved to the majority of any other cities in the U.S., automatically by just moving their life expectancy would go up, their income would go up, their educational opportunities for their children would go up as well as their employment.” We can no longer stand by and benefit from these systems that so disenfranchise many of our neighbors.


This will be difficult work. This will be uncomfortable work. This is work that must be done if we wish to relieve the suffering of those disenfranchised by the system. This work must be done to uphold the welfare and humanity of all people. As Dean Kroboth recently stated<http://pharmacy.pitt.edu/>,”We must reflect on our own beliefs, words, actions, and interactions. We MUST do more. We WILL do more.”


I have been directly involved in the anti-racism efforts at the School of Computing and Information, and I think it is time to talk about our beliefs, words, actions, and interactions as a school. I would like to start these conversations now. Faculty and Staff, please reply all to this email with your support and interest in being a part of these efforts. Residents and students, please feel free to reply all or directly with me, depending on your comfort level.


For more resources on this, the Dietrich School has compiled a document (ATTACHED) that includes a multitude of options to educate yourself as well as some actionable items you can perform.


I do not have all the answers for this process, but I know that together we can work to create a more equitable and just environment at the school, in this city, and anywhere we find ourselves practicing pharmacy.


Stay safe. Stay powerful.


Victoria Grieve



--
Victoria L. B. Grieve, PharmD

Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics
-Assistant Professor: Pharmacy and Therapeutics
-Adjunct Professor: Information Sciences
-Affiliated Faculty: Gender and Women's Studies

University of Pittsburgh
250 Salk Hall
3501 Terrace St
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Phone: (412)-334-6058<tel:(412)%20334-6058>
E-mail: Victoria.Grieve at pitt.edu<mailto:Victoria.Grieve at pitt.edu>

Pronouns: She/Her
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