Gender Studies Symposium

2024 Gender Studies Symposium:
Narrative Medicine: Identity and Wellness Through Community Care

Westminster University's Gender Studies program, in partnership with the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, is hosting panel discussions and workshops aimed at developing the skills and compassion necessary to navigate the complexities of sexuality, gender, sex, race, and ethnicity through a narrative medicine lens. This places learning and, more importantly, listening as a skill set developed through the intersection of literature, storytelling, and medical practice. These workshops and panel discussions bring together community organizers, medical doctors, academics, and community elders advocating for creating habitable spaces for LGBTQIA2S+ through an intersectional lens.

Our inclusive approach seeks ways to develop compassion and understanding through conversations and workshops with guest speakers who advocate for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including people experiencing homelessness, disability, incarceration, and those in need of gender affirming, end-of-life care. By promoting this open dialogue, we not only encourage a culture of consent, communication, and mutual respect but also dismantle harmful stigmas and stereotypes that affect both the care provided in hospitals and public health settings, but also in our everyday interactions.

Events will be split between the Westminster University and Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine campuses, March 4–8, 2024.

Register for Westminster Sessions Register for U of U Sessions

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Full Event Schedule

Monday, March 4

• 7:30 AM Van pickup for event held at the U of U's School of Medicine | Westminster University
• 8–11:00 AM Community Organizers Panel, breakfast provided | U of U School of Medicine

Listen and learn from people doing amazing work to create habitable and affirming spaces for some of the most vulnerable members of the community. Kayla Adams, LCSW, MEd, CST will moderate and present a keynote. Speakers include:

• • World Famous *BOB*
  • Sage Buch, MS1, UMNSOM
  • Ocelotl Mora
  • Jeanne Nolmann
  • Kaya Spicer, LCSW

• 11:05 AM Van pickup to return to Westminster | U of U School of Medicine
• 2–4:00 PM Spirituality and Sexuality Workshop with Duewa Spicer for Westminster faculty, staff, and students only | Westminster University
• 5:30–7:30 PM Artist Talk with Ocelotl Mora, "Mi Vida Trans" followed by a reception | Westminster University

Tuesday, March 5

• 7:30 AM Van pickup for event held at the U of U's School of Medicine | Westminster University
• 8–11:00 AM Interprofessional Provider Panel, breakfast provided | U of U School of Medicine

Patient-centered care is caring for the whole person. This panel of experts from across the Health Sciences will provide actionable tips for affirming and caring for LGBTQIA+ humans. Dr. Blair Peters, MD will moderate and present a keynote.

• • Sage Buch, MS1, UMNSOM
  • Karma Elliott, MD
  • Sarah Eyberg, MD
  • Ocelotl Mora
  • Ash Patel, MD
  • Blair Peters, MD
  • Jakey Siolo, CHW
  • Kaya Spicer, LCSW
  • Katie Woolf, PT, DPT, PRPT

• 11:05 AM Van pickup to return to Westminster | U of U School of Medicine
• 12–1:30 PM Gender Fabulous! A Life of Adventure and Art Using My Body with World Famous *BOB* for Westminster faculty, staff, and students only | Westminster University
• 5–6:00 PM Mina Hart's Rope 101 | Off-Campus

Wednesday, March 6

• 4:30–5:30 PM Pleasure Workshop with Duewa "Kaya" Spicer, MSW,LCSW, LICSW,CCATP, CST, ABS | Maven Create | Register for Pleasure Workshop
• 7–8:00 PM LGBTQ+ Elder Care Workshop with World Famous *BOB* | Off-Campus

Thursday, March 7

• 12–1:00 PM Mina Hart's Rope 101 for Westminster students only | Westminster University
• 5:30–8:00 PM Narrative Medicine: Identity and Wellness Through Community Care Panel Discussion followed by a reception | Westminster University

• • World Famous *BOB*

  • Mina Hart

  • Ocelotl Mora

  • Tashelle Wright, PhD

Friday, March 8

• 12–2:00 PM Student and Faculty-led Curriculum Design Workshop | U of U School of Medicine

Join University of Utah School of Medicine faculty and students for a hands-on curriculum design workshop. Learn about current research on developing competencies for LGBTQIA+ curriculum and brainstorm ways to incorporate them into Health Sciences Curriculum.

• • Kayla Blickensderfer, MS4
  • Bridget Dorsey, MS3
  • Cornelia Keyser, MS4
  • Vismaya Kkarkar, MS3
  • Jacob Rigby Knight, MS3
  • Caitlin Phillips, MS4
  • Raymond Reynolds, MS4
  • Erika Sullivan, MD
  • Julie Thomas, MD

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