Welcome
CULTURE, COMMUNITY & HEALTH EQUITY
The USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy is committed to transforming how we prepare the next generation of physical therapists to deliver the highest level of care to society. We continually work to enhance our curriculum, transform our practice and broaden our research agenda in order to be a positive force for change throughout our communities. We strive to provide an inclusive environment where all members of the community are valued and feel a sense of belonging. We aim to use our clinical knowledge, our scholarly work and our influence within the national physical therapy profession to engage with and amplify societal voices to ensure the highest quality of care and promote population health equity.
CULTURE, COMMUNITY & HEALTH EQUITY COUNCIL
The Culture, Community, and Health Equity Council guides the Division’s strategic priorities to foster a connected learning community centered on the experiences of our faculty, staff, students and patients; to advance curriculum, practice,and research that drive health equity and positive change across communities; and to cultivate a culture that actively addresses barriers to belonging while upholding accountability, respect and shared growth.
KEY PRIORITIES
- Engage the USC BKN & PT community in the recruitment, retention and advancement of diverse faculty, staff and students.
- Promote Division members’ ability to actively identify, challenge and change institutional policies, practices and procedures that perpetuate systemic inequities.
- Promote a culture of belonging and respect for all.
- Provide mechanisms for students, staff and faculty to seek support when they are confronted with attitudes and behaviors that threaten our inclusive culture.
- Enhance health outcomes by partnering with the surrounding community to inform the work of the Division.
Council Membership
- Council Chair: Didi Matthews
- Faculty and Staff Members: Lisa Fukuzato, Lori Ginoza, Kari Kretch, Jessica Rancour, Heather Reynolds and Janet Stevenson
- Student Members: Amara Cunningham (DPT), DaNya Horne (DPT), Bailey McLagan (BKN), Izel Gutierrez (DPT), Jasmine Stanley-Haskins (DPT)
STUDENT AFFINITY GROUPS
Asian Pacific Islander Student Affinity Group
The Asian Pacific Islander Student Affinity Group is a group dedicated to promoting knowledge regarding the Asian Pacific Islander experience to all USC BKNPT students, faculty and alumni.
We hope to provide group members with knowledge, networking opportunities, mentorship connections and community during our open group discussions about current events/history and hosting speakers.
Faculty Advisor:
Jonathan Sum
sum@pt.usc.edu
Black Student Affinity Group
The Black Students Affinity Group is a student led group that provides a safe space for Black students within the Division. Our meetings serve as a place for Black students to build a supportive community as well as share challenges that others in the group can identify with and provide support and resources for. Additional benefits to the group include opportunities for leadership, mentorship and encouraging Black students and allies to make positive change within our Division and communities.
Faculty Advisors:
James Finley
jmfinley@usc.edu
Didi Matthews
dillibe@usc.edu
Caregiver Affinity Group
The Caregiver Affinity Group (CAG) is a student-led group with an open invitation for individuals within the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy (students, faculty and staff) who, along with managing school/career/self, have a stake in caregiving for another person. Caregiving can take many forms, for example — care for children, older adults and significant others. The purpose of the CAG is to provide a safe space for caregivers and their partners to develop a community of inquiry around the important aspects of caregiving, provide support for each other and offer an outlet for stress management. In addition, the CAG will strive to provide advocacy when issues arise within the Division that affect caregivers and their families. The CAG is open to all who wish to be a part of this community of learning around caregiving.
Faculty Advisors:
Michael Andersen
manderse@pt.usc.edu
Claire Nguyen
claire.nguyen@pt.usc.edu
International Students and Allies Affinity Group
The goal of the International Students and Allies Affinity Group (ISAAG) is to create a multicultural community for international students to share, inquire and support each other as they pursue their educational, professional and personal goals at the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at USC. Our group comprises students, post-docs, staff and faculty who are non-residents, residents and citizens. We will provide a safe space for international students and allies to discuss topics such as immigration, English as a second language, inclusion and living in the United States.
Faculty Advisor:
Kornelia Kulig
kulig@pt.usc.edu
Latinx Student Affinity Group
Faculty Advisor:
Oscar Gallardo
oggallar@pt.usc.edu
LGBTQ+ Student Affinity Group
The LGBTQ+ Affinity Group provides members of the Division who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual or as a member of another minoritized gender identity or sexual orientation. We meet to support each other, explore ways to improve culture and inclusivity in the Division and have fun! We also host open sessions for allies to join us in these discussions.
Faculty Advisors:
Pamela Mikkelsen
pamela.mikkelsen@pt.usc.edu
Amy Pomrantz
pomrantz@pt.usc.edu
Middle Eastern Student Affinity Group
The Middle Eastern Affinity Group is a Division organization run by students that seeks to provide a safe and informative community for people of Middle Eastern ethnicity and/or affiliation to discuss their cultural experiences, concerns and opportunities regarding being a student, alumnus, faculty member or staff member at USC and in the US. Of particular interest is how these experiences shape physical therapy practice, education and research.
To date the group has explored the following topics:
- Cultural similarities and differences
- Our diverse ethnic backgrounds
- Systemic racism and injustice towards our ethnic groups
- Frustrations, challenges, and experiences in life, academia, and in the clinical setting
- Ideas about how to move forward and improve life for us as middle easterners in society and in the academic setting
- Establish faculty/alumni-student mentorship relationships
Faculty Advisor:
Joseph Derian
jmderian@pt.usc.edu
Physical Therapy Multicultural Leadership Alliance (PTMLA)
The USC Physical Therapy Multicultural Leadership Alliance (PTMLA) is a student-run organization striving to raise awareness about physical therapy as a profession and healthcare service. The leadership and service opportunities afforded through outreach events and educational programs at local schools are enriching for both the students and communities involved. PTMLA is active in serving global communities in need and promoting awareness of PT as a profession in the local community. With more than 10 years of history at USC, its members have grown from being leaders in the classroom to being leaders in the health care field.
MISSION STATEMENT
“Promote cultural competency within the Physical Therapy profession through educational programming, service learning, fundraising and advocacy for PT as a career option. Through acceptance, fun learning environment, and support, PTMLA members will gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be cultural experts within the PT profession.”
Follow USC PTMLA on Social Media:
Facebook: @uscptmla
Instagram: @uscptmla
Veteran's/Military Family
Faculty Advisor:
Monica Nelsen
nelsen@pt.usc.edu
USC-XULA EARLY ASSURANCE PROGRAM
USC has partnered with Xavier University of Louisiana, a historically Black university, to create a pipeline for promising students interested in entering the field of physical therapy.
Once accepted into the program, XULA students will receive mentorship from USC faculty members as well as summer opportunities to gain research clinical experience.
After graduating from XULA, Early Assurance Program students will be admitted to USC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, given they’ve completed all program requirements, including maintaining a 3.2 GPA and completing all prerequisite courses and required clinical experience hours.
DIVISION CULTURE CONCERN REPORTING FORM
We take bias, bigotry and hate very seriously and want every member of our community to feel welcome and safe. We encourage all community members who have witnessed or experienced a bias incident to report it. You may do so by following the link below. Your report can be completely anonymous (we do not even track IP addresses) if you would like. You can include your name and contact information, if you would like a follow-up. Your report will be directed to the Chair of the, Culture, Community & Health Equity Council for further review and resolution. Note: If you have witnessed a crime, or feel you are in immediate danger, please contact the USC Department of Public Safety at (323) 442-1000 for emergencies and (323) 442-1200 for non-emergencies.
DIVISION CULTURE CONCERN REPORTING FORM