Joint Statement from PNWU Administration and Student Government Association on the Insurgence at the United States Capitol
Dear PNWU Community,
In the face of recent unrest at the U.S. Capitol, and across the country, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) condemns all forms of violence, racism, and discrimination. Since 1797, our country had a tradition of peaceful transition of power. Since the latter half of the nineteenth century we have joined together after the ballot counting and moved forward as one nation. The violent actions taken by those on January 6th, 2021 in Washington, D.C. were an assault on our democratic process, un-American, and have no place in our society.
At PNWU, there is no tolerance for racism, antisemitism, islamophobia, or any other religious prejudices, discrimination, or violence. The safety of our students, staff, and faculty is paramount, and any transgression of this principle is unacceptable. We are committed to working for the common good through healing what may divide us, engaging in respectful dialogue with all members of our internal and external communities, and to bring about health equity to all marginalized communities including underserved, rural, Latinx, Black People, Indigenous People, People of Color, LGBTQ+ community and others.
We are a young institution dedicated to change. Each day, we are growing and learning. This statement is shared with you to ensure that those who have been marginalized know that they are being heard, and change is in progress. Additionally, we invite all members of the community to join our mission of healing and serving all people in rural and medically-underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest. Therefore, we speak from a place of compassion, and strong values.
As future and current healthcare providers, and as an educational institution, we can begin to enact this change in our communities before achieving it at national and universal levels. We know others will follow suit in rejecting racism, discrimination, and all other hateful conduct. We will unite through our common desire to heal, to compassionately care for one another, and to love because these are the only ways we will truly create lasting change in ourselves and provide equitable healthcare for all.
Sincerely,
Student Government Association
President’s Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Michael J. Lawler, PhD
President
Edward Bilsky, PhD
Provost
Thomas Scandalis, DO
Dean, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Mirna Ramos-Diaz, MD
Chair, President’s Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Oak Sonfist, OMS II Alex Matlock, OMS II
Sumeet Kaur Aujla, OMS I
Priya McBride, OMS I
Harsukhjit Deol, OMS I
Maxwell Finch, OMS I
Jasmeen K Pooni, OMS I
Ratka Galijot, OMS I
Raymandeep Aujla, OMS I
Joshua Christianson, OMS I
SGA Executive Council – Dua Khan, Sarah Moritz, Jaimie Fong, Andrew Gurewitz