Dr. Alex Pieterse Speaker Event

Dr. Alex Pieterse received his PhD from Columbia University and is currently an associate professor at the University of Albany. His research focuses on healthcare related outcomes associated with racial identity and experiences of racism. He is also an expert on anti-racism advocacy, race-related aspects of counseling psychology training, and the impact of self-awareness on the psychotherapy process. In this event:

• Dr. Pieterse discussed historical medical racism and false racist medical beliefs. He informed us of the racist practices of the Medical Apartheid.
• ​He pointed out the extreme race gaps in both COVID-19 diagnoses and deaths.
• He told personal stories of his experiences of dealing with racist attitudes and bias in medical profession.
• ​We discussed the web of institutional racism in America on all levels, as well as the valid, historical cultural mistrust of medicine and healthcare in many Black and Brown communities.
• Dr. Pieterse also spoke of the ways we can help as individuals on the personal scale in daily life.