Healthcare workers with all levels of education and training provide essential care and support to our New England population. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, this workforce has worked harder and longer to ensure that we were able to access healthcare services, often putting their physical and mental health and well-being on the line. Now, after more than a year of working during this ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease and managing their own personal challenges, healthcare providers are experiencing high levels of stress, vicarious trauma, emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and burnout. This added burden puts them at risk for stress-related medical problems, mental conditions, and substance misuse, as well as increased risk for leaving their profession altogether.
The pandemic has disproportionately affected Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) employees and their families, who are also experiencing racial inequality in the workplace and society. On July 28, the second webinar in our series will feature presenters that recognized the struggles faced by their BIPOC employees and colleagues during COVID-19 and took steps to address their needs proactively. Our presenters will discuss emerging and best practices specific to creating equitable supports that promote the well-being of BIPOC employees.
Event moderated by: Daryl McGraw, MS, Senior Manager of Racial Justice and Equity, C4 Innovations
Presenter(s):
1) Machiste L. Rankin was born in Syracuse, N.Y., and raised in Providence, R.I. The youngest of seven, Machiste's father is a career U.S. Navy veteran, and his mother was a homemaker who sadly lost her battle with cancer in 1993. Machiste attended school in the City of Providence Public School System. A former State of R.I. Correctional Officer (13 years of service), and graduate of Bristol Community College (degree in Criminal Justice and certificate of Law Enforcement) and member of Phi Theta Kappa, he now acts as the Chairman of the Advocacy Committee for RICares (Rhode Island Communities for Addiction and Recovery Efforts), Community Engagement Coordinator, and Outreach Specialist. He is also a former Acting Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and current member of The Providence External Review Authority. He is the father of two incredible children who inspire his every deed. Lastly, he is a man in long-term recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder.
2) Regina P. Wilson, PhD completed her Master’s Degree and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Connecticut. She has been licensed by the State of Connecticut since 2000. Dr. Wilson has been in private practice for the past 17 years but she has over 25 years of clinical work experience.
In her professional career, Dr. Wilson has worked in variety of settings including child guidance, and inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facilities. She has also provided clinical and administrative supervisor for clinical graduate students at the University of Connecticut, Department of Psychology Mental Health Clinic. Her therapeutic approach is a more integrative, dynamic and holistic approach that involves a partnership with her clients to utilize their strengths and assets in meeting their therapeutic goals using evidence-based treatment modalities. She tends to utilize a variety of techniques including but not limited to Trauma-informed treatment approaches, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused, Psychoeducation, Behavior Modification, and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy. While Dr. Wilson has worked with a multitude of clinical issues and diverse populations, she has specialty in the areas of trauma, sexual abuse, and domestic violence. Besides psychotherapy, she also conducts psychological evaluations. In addition, she is trained in EMDR.
Dr. Wilson is also a board member and Vice President of the CT BIPOC Mental Health & Wellness Initiative where she has conducted numerous psychoeducational and healing forums for the BIPOC community. In addition, she is a Level 2, Reiki healer who seeks to bridge energy healing with psychotherapy. Dr. Wilson has sought to expand her knowledge of alternative healing practices through trainings on Shamanism, involvement in Indigenous practices such as sweat lodges, and sound healing.
