Racism is a public health emergency and a root cause of social determinants of health. If we are to practice patient-centered care, and education our pharmacists to better serve their patients, we ought to act to dismantle structural racism and start by having some honest conversations. In this episode, talked with Dr. Vibhuti Arya about our role as pharmacists in addressing this public health emergency.

Extraordinary is a podcast focusing on how leadership, mindfulness, and innovation empowers us to create a better approach to healthcare. This episode focused on racial equity, compassion, and mindsets around developing brave spaces.

Let’s face it – you can’t really talk about social inequalities without discussing race. Where did this concept come from? And what does it have to do with health? We were joined by many for a discussion about how inequities result in health disparities, and what we can do to mitigate the negative effects of racism on healthcare today. We discussed race, health equity, and why diversity is a really great idea beyond just making cute babies. Buckle up, nerds; sh*t just got real.

The lead speaker, Vibhuti Arya, PharmD, MPH, is a Professor at St. John’s University and works with the NYC Health Department. She engages her students to examine public health programs and policies through the lens of equity and social justice. Momma of two, she tries to talk to her kids about equity, and they throw cheerios at her. Terrence Mac, who accompanies Vibhuti, is a Doctor of Pharmacy student at St. John’s University and did a rotation with Dr. Arya at the NYC Health Department. Born and raised in Massapequa, this Long Island guy is ready to talk about health care, inequity, and race. He hopes to one day come back to academia and brainwash other young minds to be more socially conscious individuals… Sort of like his Professor did for him.