In 2020, a team of BFA interns decided to launch the Beyond Flexner Alliance Student Assembly - a student centered arm of BFA, focused on bringing together interdisciplinary health profession students passionate about social mission. Launching in the fall of 2020, the student assembly will serve as a resource to bring students together to promote social mission, network, and organize around health equity.
BFA Student Assembly members will have the opportunity to be involved in advocacy efforts, communication strategies, and outreach activities. Additionally, all members will have access to the BFA network, a community of like-minded people sharing experiences, joining various projects, and vast resources.
In an effort to promote health equity and interprofessional education, the BFA student assembly seeks to collaborate with other organizations and groups. We are always open to partnerships, activities, and events in the future. Please feel free to reach out with any collaboration or promotion ideas.
BFA Student Assembly members will have the opportunity to be involved in advocacy efforts, communication strategies, and outreach activities. Additionally, all members will have access to the BFA network, a community of like-minded people sharing experiences, joining various projects, and vast resources.
In an effort to promote health equity and interprofessional education, the BFA student assembly seeks to collaborate with other organizations and groups. We are always open to partnerships, activities, and events in the future. Please feel free to reach out with any collaboration or promotion ideas.
Student Assembly Initiatives
Social Mission: Voices for Change Fellowship
The UC Davis Center for a Diverse Healthcare Workforce (CDHW) and the Beyond Flexner Alliance (BFA) recently launched a new Social Mission: Voices for Change Fellowship program. The fellowship was designed to provide interprofessional students (currently in pre-health programs, health professions school or residency) and early-career professionals (within 2 years post training) with a unique opportunity to:
Social mission advocates learned to use their voice via various mediums to advance health equity and create meaningful change. The virtual fellowship culminated with the opportunity to submit a social mission or social justice op-ed for publication and become part of the Beyond Flexner Alliance community.
Kimberly Hernandez, a recent Voices for Change Fellow, published “Protect Mothers and They Will Stimulate the Economy: A Case for Federal Paid Family Leave”.
About Social Mission: The social mission of a health professions school is the contribution of its graduates, faculty, and leadership to enhancing health equity and to addressing the health disparities of society. Social mission plays a critical role in health professions education by incorporating principles of social justice and social accountability to advance health equity, increase diversity of the health workforce and train culturally congruent providers.
About the UC Davis Center for a Diverse Healthcare Workforce (UC Davis CDHW): The mission of the UC Davis CDHW is to advance research and best practices regarding recruitment, training, and retention of a diverse healthcare workforce. The team of faculty, staff and students is conducting research to understand the impact of healthcare workforce diversity on patients, communities and populations. The UC Davis CDHW and this project are supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of an award totaling $3,791,026 with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
About the Beyond Flexner Alliance: The Beyond Flexner Alliance (BFA) is a national movement and organization, focused on health equity and training health professionals as agents of more equitable health care. The BFA aims to promote social mission by networking learners, teachers, community leaders, health policy makers and their organizations to advance equity in education, research, service, policy, and practice.
About the OpEd Project: The OpEd Project's mission is to change who writes history. The programs and curriculum are about leadership, voice, and power. They challenge participants to think in new and bigger ways about what participants know, why it matters, and how to use it. OpEd project explores the source of credibility; the patterns and elements of persuasion; the difference between being “right” and being effective; how to preach beyond the choir; and how to think bigger about what you know—to have more impact in the world. Op-eds are used as an action step, but the framework and curriculum can apply to any place where someone seeks to have an impact in the world - at their university or institution, in business, in political office, and beyond.
This project was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3,791,026 with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
The UC Davis Center for a Diverse Healthcare Workforce (CDHW) and the Beyond Flexner Alliance (BFA) recently launched a new Social Mission: Voices for Change Fellowship program. The fellowship was designed to provide interprofessional students (currently in pre-health programs, health professions school or residency) and early-career professionals (within 2 years post training) with a unique opportunity to:
- Learn about social mission advocacy, with a focus on diversity
- Participate in the OpEd Project’s “Write to Change the World” four-part workshop series
- Develop an op-ed for submission
- Create a community of like-minded, social mission driven individuals
Social mission advocates learned to use their voice via various mediums to advance health equity and create meaningful change. The virtual fellowship culminated with the opportunity to submit a social mission or social justice op-ed for publication and become part of the Beyond Flexner Alliance community.
Kimberly Hernandez, a recent Voices for Change Fellow, published “Protect Mothers and They Will Stimulate the Economy: A Case for Federal Paid Family Leave”.
About Social Mission: The social mission of a health professions school is the contribution of its graduates, faculty, and leadership to enhancing health equity and to addressing the health disparities of society. Social mission plays a critical role in health professions education by incorporating principles of social justice and social accountability to advance health equity, increase diversity of the health workforce and train culturally congruent providers.
About the UC Davis Center for a Diverse Healthcare Workforce (UC Davis CDHW): The mission of the UC Davis CDHW is to advance research and best practices regarding recruitment, training, and retention of a diverse healthcare workforce. The team of faculty, staff and students is conducting research to understand the impact of healthcare workforce diversity on patients, communities and populations. The UC Davis CDHW and this project are supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of an award totaling $3,791,026 with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
About the Beyond Flexner Alliance: The Beyond Flexner Alliance (BFA) is a national movement and organization, focused on health equity and training health professionals as agents of more equitable health care. The BFA aims to promote social mission by networking learners, teachers, community leaders, health policy makers and their organizations to advance equity in education, research, service, policy, and practice.
About the OpEd Project: The OpEd Project's mission is to change who writes history. The programs and curriculum are about leadership, voice, and power. They challenge participants to think in new and bigger ways about what participants know, why it matters, and how to use it. OpEd project explores the source of credibility; the patterns and elements of persuasion; the difference between being “right” and being effective; how to preach beyond the choir; and how to think bigger about what you know—to have more impact in the world. Op-eds are used as an action step, but the framework and curriculum can apply to any place where someone seeks to have an impact in the world - at their university or institution, in business, in political office, and beyond.
This project was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3,791,026 with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
Letter to the Biden and Harris Administration
Following the Health Professions Students’ Voices on Voting and the Election webinar, the Beyond Flexner Alliance Student Assembly drafted a letter to be sent to the Biden-Harris Administration regarding top issues the Administration should address from the health professions students’ perspective.
Over 60 health professions leaders and organizations signed-on advocating for the following:
We are thankful for those who join us in the fight to advance social mission and improve health equity. Read the letter here.
Over 60 health professions leaders and organizations signed-on advocating for the following:
- An equitable COVID-19 response
- Increased healthcare access
- Dismantling racism through accessible health professions education and increasing the diversity of the healthcare workforce
We are thankful for those who join us in the fight to advance social mission and improve health equity. Read the letter here.
Health Education Leaders Pushing (HELP) for Change Webinar Series
The Health Education Leaders Pushing (HELP) for Change webinar series aims to highlight rising stars and empower health professional students.
Combating Racism in Health Professions Education: The Student Perspective The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) and the Beyond Flexner Alliance (BFA) Student Assembly are co-hosting the Combating Racism in Health Professions Education: The Student Perspective webinar, as part of the “Health Education Leaders Pushing” (HELP) for Change Webinar Series. Join the BFA Student Assembly on Friday, April 16th, 2021 at 4 pm ET, for their third webinar. Racism has manifested systematically and is present in every facet of social life. It fuels structural inequities, racialized oppression and health disparities. The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing police brutality have further highlighted the multifaceted effects of racism and resulting health disparities disproportionately affecting racial and ethnic minority groups. Social inequities and societal structural hurdles have placed a heavy burden on Black and Brown health professional students to be advocates for themselves and their patients. Health professions education may perpetuate racial inequity through lacking awareness and sensitivity to the systemic injustices that marginalized students face. HPE has the responsibility of not only educating and preparing students for their careers as health professionals but equipping them with the resources to dismantle institutionalized racism. It is imperative that HPE is cognizant of its role in perpetuating racism. In addition, HPE should be active in seizing opportunities to diversify faculty and staff, mastering racial sensitivity and cultural awareness and implementing adequate representation within courses. The fight for social justice and racial equity calls on health professions students and faculty to hold their institutions accountable.
Reimagining Health Professions School for Students of Color during COVID-19, was co-hosted with the American Medical Student Association (AMSA). In the wake of COVID-19, life as a student has drastically changed. Many students contracted, cared for, or lost someone due to the virus. While dealing with the terrors of the virus itself, many students were displaced from their campuses and forced to study in unforeseen conditions as the world they once knew unraveled before them. Moreover, students of color were disproportionately impacted as the pandemic revealed pre-existing systematic inequities that produce negative outcomes in their communities. It is evident that many institutions were not prepared to handle the effects of the pandemic. The lack of transparency and delay in resources to alleviate students of these struggles further contribute to the issues that arose during these times. This webinar provided space for students to express their thoughts, hold their institutions accountable for needed accommodations, and learn how to advocate for themselves as the upcoming virtual school year approaches.
Health Professions Students Voices on Voting and the Election, co-hosted with the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). Voting is inextricably linked to health, as are the effects of elections. During the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst the ongoing fight against racial injustice, voter turnout was at an all time high, especially among students. Many initiatives, spearheaded by young people and health professions students, were geared towards registering individuals to vote and making sure people had a voting plan. After much hard work and anticipation, Vice President Biden and Senator Kamala Harris were announced as the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States of America. As the country prepares for an administration change, it is imperative that the Biden-Harris Administration remember their commitment to serving the American people and keep the needs of Americans front and center. Student voices are often left out of the conversation, but now, more than ever, students must make their voices heard and seek to hold the Biden-Harris Administrative responsible for addressing the top issues facing the health professions student community.
The Health Education Leaders Pushing (HELP) for Change webinar series aims to highlight rising stars and empower health professional students.
Combating Racism in Health Professions Education: The Student Perspective The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) and the Beyond Flexner Alliance (BFA) Student Assembly are co-hosting the Combating Racism in Health Professions Education: The Student Perspective webinar, as part of the “Health Education Leaders Pushing” (HELP) for Change Webinar Series. Join the BFA Student Assembly on Friday, April 16th, 2021 at 4 pm ET, for their third webinar. Racism has manifested systematically and is present in every facet of social life. It fuels structural inequities, racialized oppression and health disparities. The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing police brutality have further highlighted the multifaceted effects of racism and resulting health disparities disproportionately affecting racial and ethnic minority groups. Social inequities and societal structural hurdles have placed a heavy burden on Black and Brown health professional students to be advocates for themselves and their patients. Health professions education may perpetuate racial inequity through lacking awareness and sensitivity to the systemic injustices that marginalized students face. HPE has the responsibility of not only educating and preparing students for their careers as health professionals but equipping them with the resources to dismantle institutionalized racism. It is imperative that HPE is cognizant of its role in perpetuating racism. In addition, HPE should be active in seizing opportunities to diversify faculty and staff, mastering racial sensitivity and cultural awareness and implementing adequate representation within courses. The fight for social justice and racial equity calls on health professions students and faculty to hold their institutions accountable.
Reimagining Health Professions School for Students of Color during COVID-19, was co-hosted with the American Medical Student Association (AMSA). In the wake of COVID-19, life as a student has drastically changed. Many students contracted, cared for, or lost someone due to the virus. While dealing with the terrors of the virus itself, many students were displaced from their campuses and forced to study in unforeseen conditions as the world they once knew unraveled before them. Moreover, students of color were disproportionately impacted as the pandemic revealed pre-existing systematic inequities that produce negative outcomes in their communities. It is evident that many institutions were not prepared to handle the effects of the pandemic. The lack of transparency and delay in resources to alleviate students of these struggles further contribute to the issues that arose during these times. This webinar provided space for students to express their thoughts, hold their institutions accountable for needed accommodations, and learn how to advocate for themselves as the upcoming virtual school year approaches.
Health Professions Students Voices on Voting and the Election, co-hosted with the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). Voting is inextricably linked to health, as are the effects of elections. During the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst the ongoing fight against racial injustice, voter turnout was at an all time high, especially among students. Many initiatives, spearheaded by young people and health professions students, were geared towards registering individuals to vote and making sure people had a voting plan. After much hard work and anticipation, Vice President Biden and Senator Kamala Harris were announced as the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States of America. As the country prepares for an administration change, it is imperative that the Biden-Harris Administration remember their commitment to serving the American people and keep the needs of Americans front and center. Student voices are often left out of the conversation, but now, more than ever, students must make their voices heard and seek to hold the Biden-Harris Administrative responsible for addressing the top issues facing the health professions student community.
