Summary: <br> Dr. Mercedes Himmons believes the Diversity and Inclusion committees of her state organization are doing a really good job. She has worked hard to set the example and is now leading in the <a href="https://www.gopats.org/">PATS organization</a><br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="https://sportsmedicinebroadcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Diversity-and-Inclusion.png"></a><br> <br> <br> <br> Dr. Himmons, if I walked down the hall of your parents’ house what would the pictures tell me about you?<br> <br> <br> <br> I am sassy, always wore dresses and I am family-oriented.<br> <br> <br> <br> What levels of education do your family members have?<br> <br> <br> <br> I am a first-generation college graduate.<br> <br> <br> <br> You have been traveling the world and Cairo on a camel at sunset was one of your highlights. Tell me more. <br> <br> <br> <br> Dream trips: <br> <br> <br> <br> Paris and Rome<br> <br> <br> <br> Turks and Caicos<br> <br> <br> <br> What is your favorite thing about athletic training and sports medicine?<br> <br> <br> <br> Relationships<br> <br> <br> <br> What is our working definition of diversity?<br> <br> <br> <br> Having multiple people regardless of background all in the same place.<br> <br> <br> <br> Make sure all of those people are heard and seen and their perspective is taken into account.<br> <br> <br> <br> How about inclusion?<br> <br> <br> <br> The word belonging is a good fit instead of inclusion.<br> <br> <br> <br> What would you like to see from the local, district, and national levels within the profession?<br> <br> <br> <br> PATS is doing a good job of trying to close the gap.<br> <br> <br> <br> Racism is a public health issue<br> <br> <br> <br> Be good humans to each other<br> <br> <br> <br> The majority of our patient population as ATs is nonwhite but the majority of the ATs are white, so there is some disconnect.<br> <br> <br> <br> Show that you are willing to learn and understand.<br> <br> <br> <br> You are the NATA president. What would your platform be on diversity and inclusion for the profession? What about for NATA as an association?<br> <br> <br> <br> First I would like to take the temperature of the room.<br> <br> <br> <br> Everyone matters and should have a voice.<br> <br> <br> <br> Keep the patient at the center of our focus.<br> <br> <br> <br> Listening to understand and not just to reply.<br> <br> <br> <br> What is some advice you would give companies looking to diversify? What about MSAT programs?<br> <br> <br> <br> It would depend on the demographic<br> <br> <br> <br> Retention is very important, what are you doing to keep the diversity?<br> <br> <br> <br> Anything you would like to say to listeners that want to be an ally. What would you like to see or hear?<br> <br> <br> <br> People need to know that they are going to step in and do the right thing to help eradicate the negative behavior.<br> <br> <br> <br> Contact Us:<br> <br> <br> <br> Dr. Himmons: <a href="https://twitter.com/MemoriaVitae" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@MemoriaVitae</a><br> <br> <br> <br> Victoria Morris: <a href="https://twitter.com/morris_atc">@Morris_ATC</a><br> <br> <br> <br> Jeremy: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sportsmedicinebroadcast/">@SportsMedicineBroadcast on IG</a><br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="https://sportsmedicinebroadcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/friounits.jpg"></a><br>
