Howard professor to discuss “prison-to-STEM” pipeline
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A Howard University professor and advocate for incarcerated individuals will share his personal story of redemption and transformation — and what providers in medical and healthcare fields can learn from his experience — during “From Prison Cells to PhD: It’s Never Too Late to do Good” at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2.
The virtual session, part of the Dr. L.D. Britt Diversity, Health Equity and Disparities Lecture Series, is made possible by generous funding from the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.
During the event, Stanley Andrisse, MBA, PhD, will recount his experience growing up in Ferguson, Missouri, and the promise he showed as an athlete and scholar — but also the challenges he faced as a Black adolescent living amidst prejudice and racism.
In his early 20s, shortly after he had completed a research fellowship studying cancer cell growth as an undergraduate at St. Louis University, Dr. Andrisse was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a drug-related felony. The conviction changed the course of his life. Today, Dr. Andrisse, an Assistant Professor and Endocrinologist at Howard University College of Medicine, is an author, speaker and the Director of From Prison Cells to PhD, a nonprofit that each year offers education, counseling, mentoring and support to more than 100 currently and formerly incarcerated people.
His virtual talk will focus on the stigma that often surrounds incarcerated individuals and how healthcare providers can help recognize their own preconceived ideas and prejudices.
“A point I would like to make in this talk is that, when you are incarcerated, to many people, you are no longer considered a human,” says Dr. Andrisse, who also holds a visiting professorship at Georgetown University Medical Center and held an adjunct professorship at Johns Hopkins Medicine after completing his postdoctoral training. “I was seen as a criminal, someone who deserves to be in a cage, a danger to society. But, today, I am speaking out and effecting positive change while bringing value to the world and to my community.”
He hopes that juxtaposition provokes meaningful and important discussions.
“Within the medical and healthcare fields, our perspective impacts how we deliver care, how we conduct research,” Dr. Andrisse says. “This talk is an opportunity for people to interact with the younger me and to see the power and promise of change, beyond any stereotypes.”
Mekbib Gemeda, EVMS’ Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, says the topic is timely and important.
“It is important for healthcare professionals to get proximity to individuals and communities that have been marginalized in order to build understanding and compassion,” Mr. Gemeda says. “We integrate opportunities for our students to gain proximity through our Community-Engaged Learning curriculum including the health and justice initiative.”
Register for the session, which will include time for Q&A.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Find out more about Dr. Andrisse, his advocacy and his book. Watch a PBS report on his work.