Ujima Celebrates Culture and Community

Award recipient Genise Gibbs speaks to the audience.

Djwan Scott, BSN, RN, of the Float Pool, originally became interested in health care because she wanted to help bridge disparities that minority patients and families sometimes experience.

Her commitment to making a difference has manifested itself in several ways throughout her career. As a BWH nurse, she provides culturally sensitive care to patients, and serves as a mentor to nurses and PCAs. Scott is also the diversity coordinator for UMass Lowell’s nursing program, where she reaches out to minority students and serves as a role model, tutor and mentor. Last year, the New England Black Regional Nurses Association presented her with the “Excellence in Nursing Education/Teaching” Award in honor of her efforts.

“Djwan reaches out to staff whenever she sees special talent and advises and encourages them to advance their practice. She is also approached by many PCAs considering the nursing profession,” said Cathy Rumble Paccioretti, MS, RN, nursing director of the Float Pool.

In recognition of her many contributions, Scott was honored with the Department of Nursing’s 2012 Ujima Award. Ujima is one of the seven principles of Kwanza, which celebrates family, community and culture. At BWH, the annual Ujima celebration recognizes the contributions of multicultural members of the Nursing and Patient Care Services community.

“I will encourage and advocate for the provision of culturally-sensitive care and carry on the rich legacy of Ujima,” Scott said.

Genise Gibbs, senior administrative assistant in the BWH Department of Rehabilitation, was also honored with a Ujima Award. Almost two decades ago, Gibbs walked into BWH about to give birth to her first child. At the time, she faced an uncertain future, living in a shelter with no family to turn to for support.

“The nurses cared for me 19 years ago as if I was part of their family,” said Gibbs. “The way the staff treated me then was the perfect example of the Ujima principle. I now try to model my interaction with patients, families and colleagues after the way my Brigham family treated me all those years ago.”

This year’s annual Ujima celebration paid special tribute to the Caribbean islands with culturally inspired music, dancing and cuisine.

The event’s keynote speaker was Loretta Sweet Jemmott, PhD, RN, FAAN, director and founder of both the Center for Health Disparities Research and the Center for Urban Health Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

Her work in HIV/AIDS prevention among African-American and Latino adolescents is internationally recognized, and her partnerships with clinics, schools and churches have resulted in the translation of her research findings into effective prevention programs in under-represented areas of Philadelphia and beyond. She spoke about “listening to the voices of the people” as the first step to understanding why people do what they do.

Jackie Somerville, award recipient Djwan Scott and Joyce Thomas-Browning, MS, RN.