Filmaker with CMT calls attention to racism in Healthcare

[Guest guest]

Documentary Film and Workshop at Medical School Will Call Attention

to Racism in Healthcare System - 2009-01-17

http://exduco.net/news.php?id=3237

Racism in the healthcare system is the subject of a documentary film

and workshop being presented on Thursday, Jan. 22, by the School of

Medicine and URU, The Right To Be Inc.

The 55-minute film, titled " The Deadliest Disease in America, " will

be screened at 4 p.m. at the Jane E. Hope Building, 315 Cedar St.

This event kicks off URU's national civic engagement tour, which

focuses on the question " What does change really look like? "

The documentary, produced and directed by Crystal Emery, follows four

individuals, including the filmmaker, whose personal stories add to

the national debate on America's healthcare crisis. Emery shares her

own experience as an African American encountering racism while

navigating the healthcare system. The filmmaker, whose arms and legs

are paralyzed as a result of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (a form of

Muscular Dystrophy), hopes that sharing these stories will stimulate

conversations that move individuals to action.

" With an astonishing capacity to see, understand and represent truth,

Crystal Emery confronts racism in our healthcare system, " says Dr.

Forrester Lee, assistant dean of multicultural affairs at the School

of Medicine and professor of internal medicine (cardiology). " In

producing `The Deadliest Disease in America,' she gives voice to

events and stories that for too long have been ignored and devalued.

Her film forces medical practitioners to consider how racism has

infected the body of medical practice. We are invited to heal

ourselves through contemplation, dialogue and action. This film is a

brave and matchless work that will find a receptive audience

everywhere. "

The film will be followed by a workshop on " Breaking the Cycle of

Racism in Healthcare Delivery. " The event will be led by Dr. Bert M.

sen Jr., founder and managing partner of Global Cancer Control

LLC; Dr. n , director of health and social services for the

City of Bridgeport; Tresmaine Grimes, assistant vice president for

academic affairs at Iona College; and Dr. Kelson Ettienne-Modeste,

health and wellness educator. The workshop is intended to empower and

teach both clinicians and community members.

The evening will end with a question-and-answer session and dinner.

For more information about the film and to view a trailer, visit

URU's website at www.urutherighttobe.org.

Crystal Emery, Executive Director

Crystal has more than 25 years professional experience in the

entertainment industy, having produced, written,directed and worked

on productions throughout the United States and Europe. She polished

her craft under the tutelage of industry giant Bill Duke( " A Rage In

Harlem " ), and is one of a select group of young directors to work

extensively with directing icon Lloyd s( " Piano Lesson " ). She

has worked in major regional theaters such as Chicago's Goodman

Theatre, D.C's Kennedy Center, Los Angeles's DoLittle Theatre and New

Haven's(Connecticut)Long Wharf Theatre. Crystal holds a BFA from the

University of Connecticut, attended NYU Film School and completed

cinematography classes with ne at UCLA.

As executive director of URU, Crystal has created a thriving non-

profit organization that utilizes the arts to foster communication

and understanding among diverse racial, social and economic groups

about issues that affect urban communities. URU's focus includes race

relations, HIV, breast cancer education, disability rights and world

ecology. In 1999, she developed an URU program series entitled " This

Is Where I Live, Don't Dump ON Me, " designed to inspire environmental

responsibility and cultivate problem-solving skills among inner city

children; throughout it's implementation the series reached more than

5,000 children in 28 urban schools and community centers throughout

New England.

To R.S.V.P. for the event, send an e-mail to healthincluded@...

or call (203) 392-0983.