Kansas Health Equity Summit

KFMC Health Improvement Partners is hosting the inaugural Kansas Health Equity Summit in partnership with multiple state partners. In the wake of the pandemic, health equity has become a mainstream topic of discussion. Join us for this one-day, in-person event which is designed to bring together equity leaders and champions from across Kansas to connect, strengthen, and accelerate our collective efforts. This year’s event will feature Dr. Jabraan Pasha’s Unlocking Implicit Bias workshop. Additionally, the Summit will identify the current state of health equity across Kansas, and provide participants with tangible, actionable steps to take back to their respective organizations to continue this focused effort on the disparities that exist in specific health determinants and outcomes by sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, disability status, and geography.

We are still finalizing the agenda, but anticipate the event will run from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm and will take place in Topeka, Kansas. Additional information will be posted on this page as the agenda is solidified. If you would like to be added to the email distribution list once the agenda is complete and registration is open, please fill out and submit this form.

Keynote Speaker: Jabraan Pasha, MD

Dr. Jabraan Pasha, MD, CEO of Unlocking Implicit Bias, is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received his medical degree from The University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed his Internal Medicine Residency Training at Mayo Clinic Arizona. Currently, he is an Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Associate Professor for The University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine. He also serves as President of the Tulsa American Heart Association.

Unlocking Implicit Bias

Unconscious attitudes, also known as implicit biases, are ubiquitous and their effects are wide-ranging. Although unconscious, these biases affect our understanding, actions and decisions. From something as seemingly insignificant as the clutching of a purse in response to a passerby, to something of potential great consequence such as the lack of a surgical referral, the fingerprints of implicit bias are on many of the decisions we make. Leaning in to difficult conversations, Unlocking Implicit Bias delivers engaging, insight-enhancing, and practical workshops about implicit bias and its effect on society.

We approach this difficult topic in a very straightforward, compassionate and empathic, yet, entertaining manner. Our workshops, presented over 50 times to date, weave humor with poignant stories and personal experience into rich experiential sessions. By facilitating refreshing and productive large and small group activities, we begin to peel away the feelings of shame and guilt that many people associate with implicit bias. Approaching these issues through a more positive lens allows for a more candid and constructive forum. Ultimately, a discussion on methods to combat implicit bias provides participants with skills to take to their institutions and have an immediate impact on equity.

Additionally, 2022 is KFMC’s 50th Anniversary! Make plans to join us the evening before (October 27th, 2022) for a celebratory reception; more details to come!