Conversations on the Oaks Podcast
Episode 8: Black Representation in Health Professions

Tracie Thomas, Pre-Health Program advisor. Photos: Sabree Hill/Dillard University.
December 2, 2020
Episode 4's conversation about COVID-19 and health disparities shone a light on the need for more Black representation in healthcare. Dillard University
addresses this through their Pre-Health Program. Pre-health advisor, Tracie Thomas,
discussed how the program prepares students, most of whom are African American, and
how her students view their roles in health professions.
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Episode 7 | Celebrating Arts and Humanities
In recognition of National Arts and Humanities Month, Cortheal Clark, the chair of the University's School of Humanities talks about the importance of arts and humanities.
Episode 6 | The Art of Thinking of Big
Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, director of Dillard Athletics, joins "Conversations on the Oaks" to talk about how she stays motivated to achieve lofty goals.
Episode 5 | Black Representation in Law
Adria Kimbrough, advisor for Dillard's Pre-Law Program, visits the podcast to talk about the steps the program takes to shatter barriers to Black representation in law.
Episode 4 | COVID-19 and Health Disparities
Researchers for Dillard's Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center, Dr. Amy Lesen and Dr. Peter Fos, discuss the work they have done to examine the disproportionate effect COVID-19 has had on the African American community.
Episode 3 | Growth Mindset
At Dillard, growth mindset is being used to increase student performance and achievement as part of the United Negro College Fund's Career Pathways Initiative. Dr. Cleo Allen, who leads the initiative along with Dr. Casey Schreiber, talks about the value of growth mindset and how it is being implemented at the University.
Episode 2 | Advancing Racial Justice
In the wake of an active summer (2020) of racial protests, Dr. Ashraf Esmail, discusses what it will take to advance racial justice and also what Dillard's Center for Racial Justice looks to accomplish.
Episode 1 | A Student Battles COVID-19
Taylor Gentry '22 opens up about her and her father's battle with COVID-19 while in her hometown Nashville during the summer of 2020. In an honest interview, she talks about letting her guard down and issues stern warnings to her peers.
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