5th Annual DEI Week held at School of Dentistry

Lisa D. Cain, PhD, poses with a self-created painting at the Artistic Expressions Exhibit during UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry's 5th Annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Week. Photo by Brian Schnupp.

Victoria Patrounova RDH, MHA, dental hygiene program director, took part in an interactive panel discussion Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Greater Houston Dental Society. Photo by Brian Schnupp.

Models from the School of Dentistry community walked the runway sporting traditional garments of their respective country of origin. Photo by Brian Schnupp.

The 5th Annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Week returned in person at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry in January.

Held Jan. 17-20 with lunch-hour events each day, this year’s theme was “Celebrating Our Diversity.” The annual event coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Photos are available at Go.uth.edu/Flickr.

Jan. 17 | Artistic Expressions Exhibit and Talent Show
- Highlighted the talents and creative skills of individuals within the School of Dentistry community, as well as art from world-renowned, primitive folk artists
- Paintings, sculptures, and sketches were on display in the Denton A. Cooley, MD and Ralph C. Cooley, DDS University Life Center
- Talent show performances featured henna tattoo application, mariachi music, a recorded jazz performance, and a slideshow of self-captured photography

Jan. 18 | “My Journey to Becoming a Dancing Scientist”
- Keynote presentation delivered remotely by Nikki Delk, PhD, associate professor of biological sciences with the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at The University of Texas at Dallas
- Delk highlighted her “unconventional journey” from a mathematics major to serving in the U.S. Air Force to becoming a biomedical scientist
- Crowdfunded and held an art auction to raise funds for her laboratory, which later inspired her to enter her own pieces into competition
- Her initiative, “Arts for Sciences,” funds outreach activities
- Audience enjoyed an international-themed potluck luncheon, in which attendees were encouraged to bring a dish from their respective country of origin

Jan. 19 | GHDS Diversity and Inclusion Student Luncheon
- “Celebrating our Diversity and our Diverse Talents,” an interactive panel discussion open to all School of Dentistry students and faculty
- Topics discussed , among others, included what diversity and inclusion means to you and the initiatives you have been a part of; how to retain your holistic self and express diversity talents while being engaged in dentistry; what you wish you knew as a dental student; and what advice to current dental and dental hygiene students
- Panelists: Zane Haider, DMD, MS, of Spring, Texas; Insiya Hussain, DDS, adjunct assistant professor; and Victoria Patrounova RDH, MHA, dental hygiene program director
- Moderator: Maria Loza, DMD, MS, chair of the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics
- Hosted by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Greater Houston Dental Society

Jan. 20 | Cultural Fashion Show
- Models from the School of Dentistry community walked the runway sporting traditional garments of their respective country of origin
- Fashion lineup featured an áo dài dress (Southern Vietnam) bindalli wedding dress (Turkey), huipil dress (Mexico), kurta (India), saree (Sri Lanka), shalwar kurta (Karachi, Pakistan), and multiples styles of Cameroon (Africa)
- Additional modeled attire featured cowgirl/western wear, business attire (Monday-Thursday), and business casual (Friday)

In conjunction with DEI Week, the School of Dentistry will hold a community outreach activity with a diversity component later in the spring.

DEI Week was organized by the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Wellness Council and sponsored by the Office of the Dean and the Office of Professional Development and Faculty Affairs.