De Arellano recognized with Earl B. Higgins Diversity Awardby Cindy AbolePublic Relations Recognized for his tireless efforts in the areas of multi-cultural issues and mental health services for all Lowcountry individuals, Michael de Arellano, Ph.D., of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, was named the 2005 recipient of the Earl B. Higgins Achievement in Diversity Award. De Arellano strived to eliminate barriers to the treatment of disadvantaged Hispanics and other minority groups in the community. His work in a variety of clinical, research and communitywide activities led to improvements in access to care for medical and mental health services and a better understanding of people and multi-cultural issues. In addition, de Arellano also served as a strong advocate for promoting diversity, especially in the area of translational services for research materials, plus other areas of clinical research. For all of his efforts, de Arellano emerged as a leader and role model in the area of mental health services and child-crime victims. De Arellano received the award in an April 6 ceremony and reception at the Wickliffe House honoring nominees and diversity scholars. He is the tenth recipient of this award since its inception in 1996 honoring former MUSC Office of Minority Affairs director, Dr. Earl B. Higgins. Each spring, the award is presented to an MUSC employee or student for work and dedication towards promoting diversity on campus and throughout the community. Past recipients of the Earl B. Higgins Achievement in Diversity Award include: Joanne Conroy, M.D.; Anne Kilpatrick, Ph.D.; Sabra Slaughter, Ph.D.; Layton McCurdy, M.D.; Jerry Blackwell, Ph.D.; Tom Waldrep; Florence Simmons, R.N.; Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D.; and John Franklin. “Dr. de Arellano, as well as all of this year’s nominees, were outstanding candidates who each showed strong credentials and attributes that are synonymous with this award,” said Lucille Skaggs, coordinator of the award and business and student programs manager, Office of Diversity. “Each person demonstrated a strong involvement in diversity and community involvement that reflects Dr. Higgins’ beliefs and efforts as a warrior for diversity among all people.” Since the mid-1990s, de Arellano has been affiliated with the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center (NCVC) working in both clinical and research activities to assist minority child-victims, particularly Hispanics. Working with MUSC’s Strategic Plan and results of the Healthy People 2010 report, he organized and developed the Hispanic Outreach Program – Esperanza (HOPE) in 1996. The HOPE program was designed to provide medical and mental health services to Hispanic child-trauma victims. Operating as a self-sufficient clinic in the Department of Psychiatry, the HOPE program expanded to support children of all underserved groups in the Tri-county and rural areas. In all aspects of his work, de Arellano strived to improve access to care and services for all ethnic minority populations in the Lowcountry. De Arellano came to MUSC in 1995 as a psychology intern and postdoctoral research fellow training with the NCVC. His efforts translated into creating and developing innovative outreach services and approaches to clinical care while addressing diversity issues. Today, he serves as a research instructor with the NCVC in addition to other work within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. De Arellano’s successes led to improved recruitment among talented minority applicants to the department’s internship and fellowship training programs. He helped create a new psychology intern rotation to help train medical interns through the HOPE program. “Dr. de Arellano’s innovative and tireless efforts in the area of diversity are evident throughout all of his clinical programs, research endeavors, community liaison work, leadership roles and institutional activities,” wrote John M. Oldham, M.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, in his recommendation letter for de Arellano. “He has initiated several important projects and discussions at MUSC, which reflect on his passion in the area and will ultimately lead to important improvements at MUSC for diverse patients, families, faculty, staff and students.” In addition to his clinical roles, de Arellano teamed with others on several initiatives to improve diversity within MUSC’s community. More specifically, he assisted in identifying needs and issues of Hispanic students/staff in relation to the Lowcountry community by helping to coordinate an MUSC Office of Diversity subcommittee for Hispanic Affairs. He also helped develop an active branch of this program called the Alliance for Hispanic Health. “Dr. de Arellano encompasses numerous positive attributes including compassion, diligence, enthusiasm and creativity,” wrote Dean Kilpatrick, Ph.D., director of the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center. “His contributions to the field of racial/ethnic issues and child abuse, as well as our center, have been truly been remarkable. I could not think of a better candidate for this important award than Dr. de Arellano.” De Arellano was nominated by colleagues Carla Kmett Danielson, Ph.D., and Alyssa A. Rheingold, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He was chosen among six nominees by 11-member committee for this year’s award. The award committee included Walker Coleman, chair; Edward Cousineau; Gwendolyn Brown, DMD; Elizabeth Ricciardone; Mardi Long; Lana Cook, Ph.D.; Steve Brown; Bill Spring; Tom Smith; Sharon Mazyck; and Joseph Brown. Earl B. Higgins Award nominees The 2005 Earl B. Higgins Achievement in Diversity Award nominees: Terry Wilson, manager, MUHA Pastoral Care; Deborah Deas, M.D., associate professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and associate dean for admissions, College of Medicine; Kit Simpson, Dr. P.H., professor and chair, Department of Health Administration and Policy; Cynthia Swenson, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry at Family Services Research Center and Jerry Reves, M.D., vice president for Medical Affairs and dean of the College of Medicine. The 2005 MUSC Office of Diversity Scholarship recipients include: Tamara Middleton, Health Professions; Marco Antonio Villegas, Nursing; David Forsh, Medicine; Ladavia J. Drummond, Pharmacy; Jin-A-Kang, Dental Medicine and College of Graduate Studies.
Friday, April 22, 2005
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