PCOM South Georgia employees recognized for DEI contributions

The Valdosta Daily Times, Ga.
Updated ·3 min read

Nov. 9—MOULTRIE — Two employees from PCOM South Georgia were among those who received the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine's annual Employee Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Award at a cross-campus ceremony on Oct. 25 in Suwanee, Georgia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The award is presented to one faculty member and one staff member at each campus location who produced high-impact results and demonstrated a sustained commitment to advancing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, PCOM South Georgia said in a press release.

The staff award in South Georgia went to Katresa Gardner, public services librarian. She created the "Skin of Color" resource guide, which provides resources that include images of patients with skin of color in order to increase representation and improve treatment of patients. The guide received 250 visitors in August alone. Gardner also presented at the Joint Council of Librarians of Color conference on the lack of representation of skin of color in medical education.

"The DEI Award is meaningful to me, and I am honored to have received it as it represents an acknowledgment of my efforts in contributing to diversity in medical education by not only bringing awareness to the issue of a lack of diverse skin tones represented in medical education but also to provide effective resources and tools to help close the gap," Gardner said. "I am proud to work for an institution that has adopted cohesive, coherent and collaborative integration of diversity, inclusion and equity into its mission in the pursuit of excellence."

Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Gardner now lives in Valdosta. She joined PCOM South Georgia in July 2019.

"DEI efforts in my position are integral and can help foster diversity in collection development and by creating library resource guides, such as the 'Skin of Color' guide, to promote inclusive visualization resources for our students," she said.

Dr. Matthew Shellnut

Dr. Matthew Shellnut.

PCOM South Georgia

In South Georgia, the DEI award for faculty went to Matthew Shelnutt, DO, assistant professor of osteopathic manipulative medicine. He serves as chair of the LGBTQIA+ Council and PCOM South Georgia Diversity Council. He has facilitated a number of training opportunities for the PCOM community, including PCOM Safe Space and lectures on gender-affirming care, pronouns and working with non-binary patients.

"I am proud of our PCOM South Georgia family for our ability to acknowledge the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the role it plays in the success of our faculty, staff, and students," Shelnutt said. "The ability to foster a community where individuals feel seen, heard and valued for who they are is empowering, and empowerment leads to change. I am thankful to be part of an incredible team that is eager to bring changes to our classrooms, and I take pride in knowing those changes will make their way into our local healthcare systems and the community we call home."

Originally from Stockbridge, Georgia, Shelnutt joined PCOM South Georgia in November 2022. He now lives in Moultrie.

"We have all seen statistics regarding the disparities that continue to exist within our health care system," Shelnutt said. "There are entire populations who have very distinct health care needs that go largely ignored as we operate in an environment where very old systems still exist that create incredible barriers to accessing quality healthcare. I believe the most critical step in ending these systemic disparities is by educating our future healthcare professionals. ... I hope to instill a confidence in our medical students that to be a truly osteopathic physician, you really do have to treat the whole patient, for exactly who they are."

This DEI award aligns with PCOM 2025: Path to Greater Excellence Plan goals for diversity, equity and inclusion, the PCOM South Georgia press release said. This goal aims to embed diversity, equity and inclusion in its curriculum, policies, processes and practices to advance student, faculty and staff performance and excellence in service to communities.