Office of Inclusive Excellence Newsletter
|
|
|
|
MESSAGE FROM THE ASSOCIATE DEAN |
February gives us a powerful opportunity to connect American Heart Health Month with Black History
Month through a shared theme: honoring legacy while protecting our future. As we celebrate the
achievements, leadership, and resilience of Black communities, we can also acknowledge a continuing
truth, which is heart disease remains a leading health challenge, and Black Americans experience higher
rates of hypertension and related complications due to long-standing inequities in access, environment,
and care.
|
|
|
|
This month, The Common Thread invites you to celebrate history and take action: learn your
numbers, support heart-healthy habits, and advocate for the conditions that make health possible for
everyone.
|
|
|
HEALTH EQUITY FOCUS OF THE MONTH |
|
|
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., accounting for 1 in every 5 deaths. (USA facts, 2024)
-
Black Americans have the highest prevalence of cardiovascular disease of any racial group. (AHA, 2024)
- Black Americans are 40% more likely to have hypertension (high blood pressure) than their White counterparts (Sells, 2023)
-
Adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s from the Black community are more likely to die from conditions like heart disease and stroke compared to White individuals of the same age. (NIH, 2024)
- Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. (AHA, 2023)
-
Women of color, particularly Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous women, face significant disparities in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for heart disease. (AHA, 2022)
- Pregnancy-related deaths among Black women are 3.3 times greater than those among non-Hispanic White women, with heart disease being a major contributor (WomenHeart, 2025)
- Adults with a disability are nearly three times as likely to have heart disease (10.4%) as adults without a disability (3.7%). (CDC, 2020)
- People who make less than $35,000 a year are more likely to have cardiovascular disease, even after adjusting for other factors. (NIH, 2015)
-
Cardiovascular health is poorer among sexual minority men in rural settings than among heterosexual men (Gupta, 2023).
|
Disparities are often driven by social determinants of health (e.g., lack of access to proper healthcare, health coverage, healthy food options, safe exercise environments) and fear of discrimination or distrust of the healthcare system. Furthermore, racial bias has been observed in healthcare technology like pulse oximetry, AI algorithms, incentive spirometry, forehead thermometers and wearable technology which can negatively impact care for patients of color. How can we bring this awareness into our teaching, practice or our own lives and the lives of those we love?”
|
|
|
The Health Benefits of Dance
Autumn began her dancing journey at a young age with dreams of becoming a principal dancer. While that is no longer her primary goal, she re-ignited her passion in early 2025. Her motivation, beyond a lifelong love for the art form, is two-fold: dance empowers her to move with precision and courage, and it provides vital moments of joy amidst a turbulent world.
"Dance, specifically ballet, offers a variety of physical health benefits, including improved limb movement, reduced joint pain, and increased agility and strength. These benefits are what first drew me to the barre, but I believe its emotional value is even more significant today. In a climate of political and economic uncertainty, it is essential to return to the things that spark joy. Ballet is more than just a hobby; it embodies the qualities we need for the future: agility, strength, and an improved quality of life".
|
|
|
|
"Tasty Tidbits" Heart Health Workshop - learn how small, healthy food choices contribute to a strong heart
|
|
|
|
VOICES OF INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE |
|
|
Black History Month invites us to remember that progress in health and health care has always been shaped by those who pushed through barriers and then held the door open for others. In this issue’s Voices of Inclusive Excellence, we are spotlighting a Chamberlain University feature that recognizes 14 notable Black nurses from history who range from early trailblazers to modern innovators. These Black nurses’ contributions helped transform patient care, nursing education, public health, and professional advocacy. Their journeys underscore a core truth of inclusive excellence: when we honor lived experience, elevate underrecognized leadership, and learn the full story of our profession, we strengthen nursing, and the communities we serve.
We start our journey with Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale’s contemporary (who is not nearly as well-known as Nightingale). When doors closed for Seacole, she built her own. Seacole created a place of care for soldiers during the Crimean War and earned the trust of those she served. Mary Seacole reflects an early model of resourceful, community-centered nursing.
Learn about Mary Seacole and the remaining 13 influential Black nurses we honor this month and every month.
|
|
|
|
FREE Workshops & Screenings |
| DATE / TIME | TOPIC | DESCRIPTION / LOCATION |
|---|
| Starts February 3rd | 6:00PM - 7:00PM |
Take Control of Your Blood Pressure Course | A free, 6-week course at the Belcher Pavilion in Annapolis, MD, designed to help participants manage hypertension. | | February 6th | 10:30AM - 12:00PM |
How to Lower Your Blood Pressure Workshop
| A free workshop at the Bain 50+ Center, in Columbia, MD, featuring practical tips and a free blood pressure screening. | | February 7th | 10:00AM - 2:00PM |
Go Red for Heart Health and Wellness Community Fair
| A free, family-friendly health and resource fair at North Point High School in Waldorf, MD, offering health screenings, vaccinations, and educational resources. | | February 25th | 1:30PM - 4:00PM |
Free Health Screenings |
Free blood pressure, cholesterol, A1C, and glucose checks are available at the Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library in Annapolis, MD |
|
|
|
February offers a timely reminder of not only events, but programs and opportunities available year-round to help you strengthen healthy habits by connecting to resources that support your long-term health.
|
|
|
The Dome Experience (Inova) is a unique, FREE community program that invites community members to see open-heart surgeries firsthand while learning how healthy – and not-so-healthy – lifestyles can impact their own heart health. This educational program is designed for teens to seniors and is especially popular with middle and high school students.
|
|
|
The WomenHeart Summit is a national gathering designed to educate, inspire, and unite those committed to improving the lives of women living with or at risk for heart disease.
Register online at https://act.womenheart.org/a/2026-womenheart-summit
- Date: Monday, February 2-4, 2026
- Time: 8:00AM - 6:30PM
- Location: Hilton Washington DC National Mall – The Wharf
|
|
|
An online, free event on National Wear Red Day focused on women's heart health. Registration is required to attend this virtual event via FB Live and YouTube. Register online at dmvlinksreddress26.eventbrite.com
- Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
- Time: 7:00PM - 9:00PM ET
|
A Valentine's Race For Everyone! Run Your Heart Out 5K & 1K is back for its 15th Year!
Run or walk with your sweetie, best running buddy and Run Your Heart Out!
Register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=172136
-
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026
- Time: 8:30AM ET
- Location: Fairfax, VA | Fairfax Corner
|
|
|
The Women's Board of the American Heart Association proudly presents the 78th Annual Affair of the Heart Luncheon and Fashion Show. This annual event raises funds aimed at reducing heart disease and stroke.
-
Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
- Time: 11:00AM - 1:00PM
- Location: The Marriott Marquis, Washington, DC
-
Learn More
|
|
|
The Capitals team up with MedStar Health to promote heart health awareness during their game against the Flyers.
- Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
-
Tickets: Information available via washcaps.com/tickets
|
|
|
CALL TO REFLECTION OR ACTION |
|
|
This space will feature a prompt designed to help you grow in relationship with yourself and others. Here is February's reflection prompt:
What does belonging look like, sound like, and feel like in your area of influence?
| |
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
1919 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 500 | Washington, DC 20006 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
| |
|
|
