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Home | Inclusion and Community Engagement

Our school is committed to action-oriented and evidence-based policies to address health inequity and access to services to create a more welcoming, accessible and inclusive space for our students, faculty, staff and community partners.  

Meet the Team

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement team aims to increase health equity across all aspects of our SHRS programs to impactfully reduce health disparities in clinical learning and practice while simultaneously improving engagement efforts that benefit our community and the institution.  

Data has shown that systemic problems require complex solutions, and we are dedicated to developing and implementing those solutions to create not only a more equitable academic environment but also a more equitable health care system, which can be done through the education of the next generation of health care providers and leaders.   

We strive to be an inclusive community of learners, partners and leaders dedicated to the preparation of health and rehabilitation professionals in the pursuit of health equity that improves lives and positively adds to our vibrant communities.  

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Nancy Gauvin
Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement, Assistant Professor
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Samantha Mozden
Senior Project Manager, Wellness Pavilion
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Anastasia McMillan
Senior Director of Strategic Programs and Services
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Welcome Message

With great joy, I welcome you to the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) and our Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement. We envision a welcoming and inclusive community of learners, research scientists, health care providers and changemakers within our faculty, staff, students and administration. We are dedicated to creating and sustaining a shared sense of respect and belonging for all. An inclusive community is key to advancing the health sciences that will benefit our generation and beyond.

Our office is continuously working to establish a culture of belonging and embracing all of our shared values at SHRS by creating, implementing and supporting the following initiatives to increase knowledge of community-based health through empathy and understanding and resources to support you on your journey:

  • Global and Local Travel Learning Program
  • SHRS Affinity Groups
  • Brave Space
  • Workshops, retreats and so much more!

We work with Primary Care Health Services in Homewood to provide wrap-around clinical services at the SHRS Wellness Pavilion that started in Spring 2024 (see more below). 

We are honored to support each and every one of you here at SHRS.

Nancy Gauvin
Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement

Mission

We are committed to celebrating and embracing a variety of lived experiences across the health sciences by educating administration, faculty, staff and students on how to foster equal access to health care and strengthen community engagement efforts across the city of Pittsburgh, regionally and on a global scale.

Vision

We envision SHRS to be at the forefront of creating and sustaining a thriving united community for administration, faculty, staff and students that celebrates the unique talents across SHRS to improve health care for all people in society.

Community Engagement

Serving our neighbors. Building a stronger community. 

As a school, we are privileged to enjoy all the resources of the University of Pittsburgh and its affiliation with world-class health care institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. With this privilege comes responsibility and a commitment to using our expertise to serve members of our community. 

Because we are a school that educates health care providers from a variety of disciplines, we have the capacity and the knowledge to support and complement health care institutions in the area by coordinating wellness and outreach activities for targeted populations of people. We routinely provide community-based exercise programs for older adults in nursing facilities, nutrition counseling for children and families in schools and other venues, blood pressure screenings in underserved neighborhoods, and routine foot exams for people with diabetes. 

Where do we serve?

Find where SHRS faculty and students are serving our communities, near and far, through the University’s interactive Engagement and Outreach Map.

shrs Wellness Pavilion

Located in the Community Engagement Center (CEC) in Homewood

The SHRS Wellness Pavilion is a student-led community space that offers person-centered inter-professional services and programs that aim to improve, maintain and promote the health and wellness of Homewood residents and surrounding communities, across the lifespan.

Wellness Pavilion Clinic

The Wellness Pavilion Clinic initiative, a partnership with Primary Care Health Services, aims to further support the health and well-being of the surrounding Homewood community.

The Wellness Pavilion Clinic offers a range of clinical and rehabilitation therapy services for free. The services are administered by SHRS program faculty and students training to become clinicians in their fields.

Wellness Pavilion Resources

  • SHRS CEC Research Request Submission Form 
  • CEC Training

SHRS Brave Space

A brave space is a supportive place where participants feel comfortable learning, having an equitable voice while honestly sharing in order to grow individually and together.

It is inclusive of all students from all races, ethnicities, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, immigration statuses, languages and lived experiences. 

The purpose of this space is to encourage students to engage in courageous conversations, confront biases and constructively challenge perspectives to build unity. Students will use their own autonomy to engage in dialogue while learning from one another. 

We fully acknowledge that discomfort and growth often coincide, but by stepping out of our comfort zones, meaningful progress toward inclusivity can be achieved. We envision the SHRS Brave Space as playing a pivotal role in cultivating an environment where diverse voices are not only heard but are valued as people share their experiences and perspectives without fear of judgment or reprisal.

Where is the Brave Space?

The Brave Space is located on the fourth floor of Forbes Tower in room 4057 right next to the Student Quiet Study room. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Using the Space

Students can use the space to meet, study or as a place of leisure. If students would like to use this space for a student organization meeting (e.g. SHRS Affinity Groups) or program, then please reach out the Senior Director of Strategic Programs and Services Anastasia White at ajw144@pitt.edu to reserve the room.

Rules

  1. Respect each other’s personhood and honor the brave space
  2. Actively listen and engage with each other
  3. Acknowledge and discuss how dialogue affects us
  4. Allow yourself to step in and out of dialogue and discourse
  5. Prioritize health and wellness 

Resources

  • Boston College: Establishing Braves Spaces: The Roles of Safety and Comfort in Dialogue
  • Bow Valley Immigration Partnership: Principles for Brave Spaces
  • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Policy and Practice Series: Safe Spaces and Brave Spaces, Historical Context and Recommendations for Student Affairs Professionals
  • The Ohio State University: Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most
  • The Oxford Review: Understanding Brave Space: Fostering DEI in Diverse Environments
  • Washington Center for Nursing: Brave Space: Guidelines in Education, Nurse Practice, and Stakeholder Convenings

Brave Space Pantry

The food and resource pantry within SHRS plays a vital role in addressing food and resource insecurity among our students.

Here are several key reasons why the Brave Space Pantry was created:

  1. Supporting Food and Resource Insecure Students: Many students face financial challenges and may struggle to afford regular meals. The Brave Space Pantry aims to provide access to free or low-cost food, ensuring that students do not have to choose between paying for textbooks, tuition, food, or resources.
  2. Improving Academic Performance: Hunger can significantly affect a student’s ability to focus, concentrate, and perform well academically. By alleviating food and resource insecurity, students can better focus on their studies, leading to improved academic success.
  3. Mental and Emotional Well-being: Food and resource insecurity can lead to stress, anxiety, and mental health struggles. Having access to a food pantry reduces some of these pressures, allowing students to focus on their well-being.
  4. Building a Supportive Community: The Brave Space Pantry aims to foster a sense of community on campus and show that we deeply care about our students’ overall well-being. SHRS wants to continue to promote a culture of kindness, solidarity, and support among peers.
  5. Promoting Equity: Not all students have the same financial resources. The Brave Space Food Pantry can help ensure that all students, regardless of their background or financial status, have access to essential resources like nutritious food and hygiene products.
  6. Reducing Stigma: The Brave Space Pantry being implemented as part of the broader SHRS and campus infrastructure can normalize the experience of receiving help. This can help reduce the stigma associated with food and resource insecurity and encourage students to seek the support they need without shame.
  7. Increasing Awareness: Having the Brave Space Pantry on campus raises awareness about the broader issue of food and resource insecurity. It can inspire students, faculty, and staff to engage in social justice initiatives and community outreach.

Overall, the Brave Space Pantry at SHRS is an essential resource that supports students’ well-being, academic success, and sense of community. It is a proactive approach to ensuring that all students have access to basic needs, allowing them to thrive during their time here at SHRS.

How to Donate

The Brave Space Pantry will be available year-round for any SHRS student who needs these basic necessities.

If you are interested in making a donation, then please drop off suggested items and place them in the designated box in the Center for Academic Advising and Student Success and OEDICE Suite, Forbes Tower, Suite 4044.

What to Donate

Beverages:

  • Bottle of Water
  • Coffee
  • Hot Chocolate
  • Juice
  • Tea

Canned Foods:

  • Canned Chicken
  • Canned Fruits
  • Canned Soup
  • Canned Tuna
  • Canned Vegetables
  • SPAM

Dried Foods:

  • Beans
  • Cereal
  • Crackers
  • Dried Fruits
  • Instant Mac & Cheese
  • Instant Mashed Potatoes
  • Microwave Popcorn
  • Nutrition Bars
  • Oatmeal
  • Pasta
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Peanut Butter
  • Quinoa
  • Rice

Hygiene/Toiletries:

  • Bars of Soap
  • Body Wash
  • Deodorants
  • Disposable Razors
  • Dryer Sheets
  • Face Wash
  • Feminine Hygiene Products (Tampons and Pads)
  • Flushable Wet Wipes
  • Grooming Kits
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Lip Balm
  • Lotions
  • Oral Hygiene Kits
  • Shampoo and Conditioner
  • Shaving Cream
  • Tissues

Events

Check out events offered by the University, school and Wellness Pavilion. These events offer ways to get involved on campus, at SHRS or in the community.

University Resources

  • The University Counseling Center is available 24/7 at 412-648-7930.   
  • Accommodations and services can be requested from the Office of Disability Resources and Services.   
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Forbes Tower
Fourth Floor, Suite 4019
3600 Atwood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

(412) 383-6565

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