Dr. Craig Jackson, dean of the Loma Linda University School of Allied Health Professions, received the Cultural Pluralism Award at the 2013 Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP) Conference in October.
The Cultural Pluralism Award recognizes "either an individual member or a department at a member institution involved in furthering the principle of cultural pluralism in the academic setting by demonstrating leadership in promoting it."
The School of Alllied Health Professions began a rehab technician training program in Haiti, graduating the program's first class in September 2013. Based at Loma Linda University's sister hospital and university Hopital Adventiste d'Haiti and Universite Adventiste d'Haiti, the program is designed to fill a major gap in the country's medical infrastructure, which boasts just a few Haitian physical therapists and zero Haitian occupational therapists. This is for a country that, even before the earthquake, had an estimated 10 percent of its population disabled--a percentage that has grown.
"I was surprised tonight to receive this award based on the diversity of our student body's religion and countries representation; and our work in Haiti," wrote Dr. Jackson in an email to staff. "All of this, especially Haiti, is the result of exceptional faculty commitment and dedication to the mission of SAHP and LLU and demonstrated by Dr. Lohman."
"I am honored to receive this award on their behalf," wrote Dr. Jackson.