WEMU has partnered with the United Way of Washtenaw County to discover the individuals, organizations, and establishments creating alternative and fairness in our space. And, as a part of this ongoing collection, you’ll additionally hear from the individuals benefiting and rising from the investments being made within the areas of our neighborhood the place there are gaps in obtainable providers. It’s a neighborhood voice. It’s ‘Washtenaw United.’
ABOUT VERSELL SMITH, JR.
Versell Smith, Jr. is a proud native Ann Arborite, and a graduate of the College of Michigan. He’s universally celebrated as a distinguished non-profit chief with over 15 years of expertise working in arts administration, fund growth, governance, and strategic planning. As a transformational chief, Versell evokes creativity, dedication and excellence. He’s passionate in regards to the excellent work that’s being carried out in Washtenaw County, and is deeply dedicated to making sure that nonprofits proceed to deal with well being inequities which are ever current in our neighborhood. Via his work on the Nook and as Chairman of the St. Joe’s board of administrators, Versell works diligently to help variety, fairness, and inclusion as a means of deliberately constructing a wholesome and vibrant neighborhood.
RESOURCES:
Corner Health Center Donation Page
UWWC STATEMENT:
Since 2019, United Approach of Washtenaw County has invested in Nook Well being by way of the FY20 COVID Group Aid Fund, FY21 State of Michigan Speedy Response Grant (MPHI), and the FY21 Basic Working Help Grant, totaling practically $67K invested within the group since 2019.
The Nook Well being Heart
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cornerhealth.org
TRANSCRIPTION:
David Honest: That is 89 one WEMU, and welcome to this week’s version of Washtenaw United. I am David Honest, and every Monday by way of the month of February, we’re using this weekly function to focus on Black Historical past Month. Now we’re definitely going to mirror, but additionally take a look at the historical past being written immediately that may assist form this and future generations. The theme of Black Historical past Month in 2022 is Black Well being and Wellness, and that occurs to be the present profession focus of our visitor immediately. Versell Smith Jr. is govt director of the Nook Well being Heart in Ypsilanti, and it is good to have you ever again on WEMU, Versell.
Versell Smith, Jr.: Thanks, David, and thanks for inviting me. It is my pleasure to be right here.
David Honest: So, I am simply making an assumption right here, however I believe it is a pretty secure one. How large did you smile whenever you realized the theme of Black Historical past Month can be Black Well being and wellness?
Versell Smith, Jr.: Let’s simply say it was a Steinway grand piano smile.
David Honest: That is type of what I figured. How does that theme work in live performance with the mission of the Nook Well being Heart?
Versell Smith, Jr.: Nicely, you realize, our mission is absolutely to deal with the well being inequities and to have a good time the achievements of our African-American ancestors. And as I, you realize, noticed the theme and form of thought of what’s it that Nook can do to actually have a good time that and educate our our sufferers. I, you realize, realized that there have been so many trailblazers, and a few that weren’t identified to myself and even to our sufferers or neighborhood or employees. And so, it was an ideal alternative for us to focus on these trailblazers who actually made a distinction in well being care and who had been addressing well being inequities means earlier than. You realize, we undertook this as a mission.
David Honest: Nicely, the historical past of African-People in well being care presentation that you’ve put forth online–and I had the chance to go through–runs from 1660 to 1990. So, whenever you say there’s a lengthy historical past of working to equalize the inequities that we see that has been underway for hundreds of years. So, what went into creating this mission?
Versell Smith, Jr.: Nicely, so I spoke with considered one of our consultants, Bob Smith, who’s a historical past guide within the Detroit space. And, you realize, it was vital for us to pick out these representatives from not solely a broad cross-section, but additionally geographically. So, whenever you take a look at the presentation, you will notice that there are native heroes by way of College of Michigan physicians, you may see that there are state in addition to nationwide, you realize, people who’re representatives. For instance, after we take a look at Jane Minor, who was an enslaved therapeutic practitioner and who, due to her therapeutic acumen, she was launched from slavery. And, you realize, that her title is one that’s not broadly identified or explored, and even, you realize, going by way of, you realize, the Dunbar Hospital in Detroit, which was based simply, you know–
David Honest: That was the primary African-American hospital in Michigan.
Versell Smith, Jr.: Right. Precisely, precisely. So, I believe it is vital to focus on the native regional in addition to, you realize, worldwide achievements of our Black individuals.
David Honest: WEMU’s Washtenaw United continues on 89 one WEMU and we’re speaking historical past of African-People in well being care with Versell Smith Jr., the chief director of the Nook Well being Heart in Ypsilanti. And I do know that I realized quite a bit and it solely impressed me to wish to study extra. For immediately’s children and immediately’s era to get uncovered and study these individuals, you suppose it has simply inherent worth for each the current and future?
Versell Smith, Jr.: I completely imagine that. You realize, one of many core parts of the Nook Well being Heart is to give attention to well being and wellness, and wellness as part of our mission. And so, the extra info and schooling you may present to them, the extra they are often, you realize, higher stewards of their very own well being. So, as we glance to the longer term and as we handle, you realize, well being inequities and alternatives for holistic care and holistic well being for our younger individuals, it is vital for them to not solely know the place they have been, however to have the ability to think about, you realize, this continuation of greatness and this continuation of dedication to excellence. And I am hoping that this slide presentation does that–ignites in them a way of curiosity that they’ll self mirror on themselves of their lives and make good, strong well being selections to maintain themselves wholesome.
David Honest: One of many issues that works so efficiently is having individuals of colour see those that appear like them in positions of success and creating their very own alternatives, and that’s definitely what this presentation does. You talked about that there are some native notables, simply Dr. Henry Fitzbutler in 1870 turned the primary African-American to graduate from the U of M Medical College. In 1885, Dr. Sophia B. Jones turned the primary African-American girl to graduate from U of M Medical College. She went on to create the primary coaching program for nurses at Spellman Faculty. Dr. Ida Grey was the primary African-American girl to earn a dental diploma after graduating from the U of M College of Dentistry and was the primary to personal a dental apply. And, once more, that is all info from the presentation that is obtainable to all of us on-line. Dr. Alexa Irene Kennedy graduated Cum Laude from the U of M and went on to develop into the primary African-American feminine pediatric neurosurgeon in america. And your presentation notes that, alongside the way in which, she confronted simply an excessive amount of prejudice, and it is that I wish to observe up on. That prejudice exists in lots of areas and arenas immediately. Did you personally run into that as you’re employed your means as much as and thru school and on into your skilled life?
Versell Smith, Jr.: Nicely, I believe that all of us encountered bias or whether or not it is implicit or intentional bias, however completely. And it is one thing that we can not, you realize, fully get away from. And despite the fact that our mission is to assist to eradicate it, however to deal with it. However, conversely, I additionally had an amazing quantity of help. Having grown up in Ann Arbor and attended the College of Michigan, you realize, I did have entry to an unbelievable schooling, and likewise, you realize, the function of mentorship was so key in my life to assist me take care of and perceive the function that racism and bias performs in our profession growth. And simply as I realized from my mentors, I even have mentees that I helped to, you realize, coach by way of that. We’ve got a number of therapists on the unit on the Nook Well being Heart who additionally assist our younger individuals perceive that and the way do they navigate it. And, right here once more, that is one of many distinctive qualities of the Nook Well being Heart. We’re past a security internet clinic. We’re an integrative well being middle, and we offer extra alternatives for well being and wellness and schooling, in order that if a teen has a query about that, then we embrace it. We do not step away from it. We do not ignore it. It is vital to empower them with helpful steering and instruments to assist them to know how you can navigate, you realize, racism and bias.
David Honest: As we take the broad take a look at america, typically it may be overwhelming, and issues can appear considerably dire. However in case you use the magnifying glass and get proper down into the guts of most communities, you will discover that there are good works happening and progress is and might nonetheless be made. What’s your degree of optimism that the subsequent era of nonprofit leaders of nurses, medical doctors, and caretakers should not going to face as a lot private and systemic racism?
Versell Smith, Jr.: Nicely, I am solely optimistic. I believe that, you realize, notably by way of the lens of Washtenaw County and the connection that I’ve with my friends and my colleagues, and the dedication even from a fundraising and donor perspective, after I launched this presentation, I heard from many, many colleagues, both from St. Joe’s Board or U of M physicians and a few of our donors. Not solely did they thank me, however they shared private tales that they’d with a number of the, you realize, physicians and trailblazers who had been profiled. So, and that was from, you realize, white in addition to Black, you realize, donors. And so, it was simply good to listen to instantly from them. And that form of impressed me, as a result of I do know that right here in Washtenaw County, we’re doing the work. I am optimistic. I do not suppose it’ll be straightforward, however I completely suppose that there’s a path ahead and that path will result in us, you realize, creating a greater neighborhood for all.
David Honest: As we mark Black Historical past Month and look ahead 100 years, anyone goes to be writing the historical past of Washtenaw County of immediately. And with that in thoughts, what would you want written about you and the work of the Nook Well being Heart?
Versell Smith, Jr.: Nicely, I believe it is vital for to focus on our dedication and my dedication to actually empowering younger individuals. Underneath my imaginative and prescient, with my imaginative and prescient, I am dedicated to, you realize, make the Nook Well being Heart be the supplier of option to 1000’s of youth and younger adults, you realize, who belief us as consultants in youngster and adolescent well being care. And thru our work, my dedication to not solely diversifying our employees, however our dedication to addressing well being inequities. That could be a option to honor the legacy of our Black ancestors. And we do this by serving affected person by affected person.
David Honest: Thanks a lot for the time immediately. I am grateful.
Versell Smith, Jr.: Thanks, David. It is my pleasure.
David Honest: Versell Smith Jr. is govt director of the Nook Well being Heart in Ypsilanti and our visitor on one other Black Historical past Month version of Washtenaw United. This weekly function is produced in partnership with the United Approach of Washtenaw County, and also you hear it each Monday. We’ve got referenced a number of instances a slide present show on Black Historical past Month and Black People in well being care, some native notables as effectively. It’s all obtainable to you on the Nook Well being Heart website online, and you’ll go to our website online at WEMU dot org, and we’ll hyperlink you up. I am David Honest, and that is your neighborhood. NPR Station 89 one WEMU FM and WEMU HD1 Ypsilanti.
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