Guest panelists Drs. Lillian Diaz, DHA, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer at Lincoln Hospital, Launette Woolforde, EdD, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, FAAN, deputy chief nursing officer at Northwell Health, panel moderator Ashley Graham-Perel, Ed.D., RN, NPD-BC, MEDSURG-BC, CNE, FADLN, director of diversity and cultural affairs and assistant professor of nursing at Columbia University School of Nursing, Rewa Thompson, DNP, RN, WHNP-BC clinical associate professor at Stony Brook University School of Nursing, and Kenya Beard, EdD, AGACNP-BC, ANEF, FAAN, FADLN, dean of Mercy University's School of Nursing,
This summer, Mercy University’s School of Nursing hosted a screening of "Everybody's Work: Healing What Hurts Us All," a documentary featuring nurses who are disrupting structural racism and driving change in their institutions, including Mercy’s own Dr. Kenya Beard EdD, AGACNP-BC, ANEF, FAAN, FADLN, dean of the School of Nursing, who appears in the film.
Mercy’s School of Nursing partnered with Columbia University School of Nursing’s Office of Diversity and Cultural Affairs, the Greater New York City Black Nurses Association, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses Westchester and the New York Black Nurses Association to present the documentary to nursing leaders, faculty, students and staff at Mercy’s Bronx Campus.
Directed by Chad Tingle and produced by SHIFT, a nursing community supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), “Everybody’s Work” examines the complexities of structural racism within the nursing profession through the lens of personal experience. By centering the untold stories of practicing nurses and nursing educators, leaders and advocates across the nation, the film spotlights the work being done despite a lack of resources and, at times, opposition from colleagues or the institutions where they are trying to make a difference. These stories emphasize the continuous work everyone needs to do to create a more just, equitable and inclusive environment for nurses and their patients.
The screening was followed by a panel discussion featuring Drs. Lillian Diaz, DHA, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer at Lincoln Hospital, Rewa Thompson, DNP, RN, WHNP-BC clinical associate professor at Stony Brook University School of Nursing and Launette Woolforde, EdD, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, FAAN, deputy chief nursing officer at Northwell Health and moderated by Ashley Graham-Perel, Ed.D., RN, NPD-BC, MEDSURG-BC, CNE, FADLN, director of diversity and cultural affairs and assistant professor of nursing at Columbia University School of Nursing, who also appears in the film.
While the panelists had their own perspectives on how and if racism can be eradicated, they all agreed having these conversations is a good start.
“This film is so inspirational. Just beginning these conversations will lead to a greater future,” said Diaz.
“It is possible if we work together,” added Thompson.
“So many have an experience that has limited them from receiving high quality care. It may be color or socioeconomic status,” said Beard. “We need to facilitate conversations that allow everyone to speak. This is everyone’s work.”
