UTSW honors legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Published on: January 22, 2020 By: Staff Reports

Three people holding folio awards and smiling — The winner and finalists of the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship for Community Service Award were recognized at the commemorative ceremony. UTSW students honored for their community service were (from left) medical student Cameron Ward, finalist; doctor of physical therapy student Christina Martinez, award recipient; and medical student Brandon Winward, finalist.

On Jan. 15, the UT Southwestern community honored the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at its 33^rd annual campus commemorative celebration. Dr. Dayna Bowen Matthew, keynote speaker and Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, talked about the history of racial inequality in the American health care system and how to address ongoing disparities.

In honor of Dr. King’s legacy of community service, each year the ceremony also recognizes UTSW students who actively serve others through their own community service projects. Doctor of physical therapy student Christina Martinez was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship for Community Service Award. Medical students Cameron Ward and Brandon Winward were recognized as finalists. Flip through the photo gallery below.

Select an image to begin the slideshow.

Dr. Shawna Nesbitt, Associate Dean, Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion, gives the welcome address.

Medical student Deborah Oyedapo sings "If You're Out There" by John Legend during a musical performance.

Dr. Nesbitt welcomes keynote speaker Dr. Dayna Bowen Matthew to the podium.

Dr. Bowen Matthew speaks to a full room about injustice in the health care system with a talk titled, “Just Medicine: A Vision That Depends on You.”

Attendees listen to the keynote address.

Dr. Bowen Matthew gives examples of how discrimination against racial minorities impacted their access to health care.

Dr. Nesbitt hugs Dr. Bowen Matthew at the conclusion of the keynote address.

Doctor of physical therapy student Christina Martinez, recipient of the 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship for Community Service, addresses the audience after receiving the honor.

Christina Martinez receives a hug from Dr. Nesbitt.

Dr. Bowen Matthew shares a laugh with Dr. Drew Alexander, Assistant Dean for Community Engagement.

Scholarship recipient Christina Martinez shares the moment with Dr. Beth Deschenes, Associate Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy.

Scholarship finalist Cameron Ward celebrates with his sister Courtlyn Ward and brother Cody Ward.

Attendees could read more about the achievements of the scholarship honorees on posters.

Guests enjoy a catered reception following the ceremony.

Students and guests took time out from their schedules to enjoy the event.

Staff enjoy spending time together at the reception.

Staff of the Office of Institutional Equity and Access who helped organize the event included (from left) Caroline Uhara, Erin Dowell, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Equity & Access Travis Gill, Keneshia Colwell, Thomas Bennett, and Kayla Ratcliff.