Implicit Bias Training, Just the Beginning

I wanted to respond to the social climate of our world after the murder of George Floyd resulting in protests globally. In the midst of these protests, the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the countries around the globe, highlighting health care disparities in its wake, including marginalized populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Our students at USC were no exception to the widespread outcry for social justice. They too were protesting and broadened their attention beyond social reform nationally focusing their attention on the social climate at USC demanding change. I reflected upon this unique time in history. I did not want to create any further harm to our students. I felt compelled to address not only our students’ concerns but also address how our employees can make better decisions personally and professionally in response to the change our students yearned for and demanded. So, I quickly pivoted my CHIP to work on Implicit Bias Training for the Student Health Clinic at the University of Southern California. My goal was simple, to implement the first implicit bias training at the Student Health Center at USC.