“There is much work to do to become antiracist, not just as a society, but as a school, a university, a profession and a community. As the cornerstone for healthcare and advocates for the communities they serve, nurses are in the ideal position to do this work. The need to end racism is long overdue and nurses must do their part.” –Executive Dean Azita Emami
Systemic racism has for generations undermined the health of individuals and communities across America, and clearly is a public health crisis.
Recognizing that nurses play a central role in and hold major responsibility for the health of individuals and communities hit hard by historic racial inequity, the University of Washington School of Nursing has established the Manning Price Spratlen Center for Anti-Racism & Equity in Nursing. To shape the center and determine its priorities, listening sessions were held in Fall and Winter of 2021-2022 to hear the interests of faculty, staff, students, alumni, nurse leaders, healthcare institutions, community organizations and professional associations.
Creation of the center reflects goals of the school’s broader diversity, equity and inclusion strategic action plan, launched in 2016, that lays out a framework to advance and imbue diversity, equity, and inclusion within learning, research, and practice settings.