This year marks the 25th anniversary for the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine William G. Anderson lecture series Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey. For the past quarter century, the series has brought living legends from the American Civil Rights Movement – past and present – to East Lansing, sharing their experiences fighting for freedom, how they persevered and inspiration for all to participate in their own, personal way.
“The longevity of 25 years really illustrates a commitment to thoughtfully and purposefully engaging in community dialogue, and also working to give folks the tools and the encouragement to take what they’ve learned and apply it in their own lives, whether that’s professionally, personally or spiritually,” said Marita Gilbert, associate dean of Diversity and Campus Inclusion at MSUCOM. “For 25 years, we’ve been pulling folks into a dialogue that is educative, empowering and aspirational – the work is dynamic, it isn’t over. We’re encouraging people to see history not as static, but living, and be involved with making that history.”
The 25th anniversary is a celebration that calls community members to take seriously what they leave for others in the future. Each person can participate in creating and sustaining community using their own unique gifts and talents – just like this year’s speakers.
Feb. 13: Barbara Ross-Lee
It’s not every day that the first African American woman to serve as dean of a U.S. medical school arrives on campus. On the first night of Slavery to Freedom, international lecturer and MSUCOM alumna Barbara Ross-Lee, will share details of her personal impact in health care and social justice.
"Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee is absolutely iconic to our profession! She is a powerful trailblazer and a phenomenal human being. I take some privilege and pride to talk about her as the first Black woman alumna of our college,” Dr. Gilbert shared. “She has phenomenal ability in health policy creation. She knows about family practice and working in community-based medicine, but also thinks structurally – how can we reduce barriers to care, not just in one community, but how we impact broadly.”
Ross-Lee has consulted and participated in the development of five new osteopathic schools, and is the first osteopathic physician to participate in the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship. She has published numerous scholarly articles on a variety of medical and health care issues, and is the recipient of 10 honorary degrees and countless national awards. Most recently, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award was renamed as the Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., DEI Award in her honor.
“When you think of MSUCOM, Ross-Lee is one of the first people that comes to mind in terms of who's contributing back to society, and who's making efforts to push forward in terms of medical education and diversity, equity and inclusion. She is world-renowned in every aspect of her work,” said Deanna Ingrassia Miano, chief ophthalmology resident at Henry Ford – Warren Hospital, an MSUCOM alumna.
Introducing the Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., Endowed Scholarship
One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s event is the celebration of the Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., Endowed Scholarship. Ideated by Dr. Gilbert and originally funded by the MSUCOM Classes of 2020 and 2021, the scholarship was established in 2022 and has received additional contributions from community members who care about its mission: supporting MSUCOM students who have worked with medically underserved populations and/or championed diversity, equity and inclusion in their work or volunteering efforts, with special consideration for those who help build and support a culture of diversity and inclusion at the college.
Dr. Miano, who was president for the Class of 2021, explained that the COVID-19 pandemic’s restrictions on normal activity left the Classes of 2020 and 2021 with unused funds. Discussions between students, Dr. Gilbert and other leadership led to the proposal of a scholarship.
“Dr. Ross-Lee is an esteemed alumna of our college. Her work in medical leadership, health care policy, education and diversity, equity and inclusion is absolutely inspiring,” Dr. Miano said. “It's a whole lifetime's work dedicated to perpetuating the medical field forward.”
Feb. 20: Rev. Osagyefo Sekou and The Freedom Fighters
Resist when they tell ya who is and ain’t your neighbor
when they won’t pay you and exploit your labor…
Resist when they tell ya that the love of money’s your only goal
because you don’t want to gain the world and lose your soul.
These and more powerful words to come from Rev. Osagyefo Sekou and The Freedom Fighters on the second night of Slavery to Freedom. Rev. Sekou is an activist, theologian, author, documentary filmmaker and blues/soul/gospel musician who has trained more than 10,000 clergy and activists in militant, nonviolent civil disobedience across the country. He was selected for Ebony Magazine’s Power 100, NAACP History Makers and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts 100-list of creative thinkers.
Dr. Gilbert is excited for the crowd to experience Rev. Sekou’s energy. His music captures Arkansas delta blues, Memphis soul, 1970s funk and gospel. She said his words provoke individuals and communities to think about how they’re showing up for themselves and each other and the resources available to them.
“Music has always been a tool in freedom movements and art,” Gilbert explained. “Sonically, it can give us cues about what's happening, how we're supposed to move, when to pray, when it's time for silence, when it's time for reflection.
“Just after Michael Brown was killed in Ferguson, Rev. Sekou showed up for the organizing portion – this is someone who was arrested for praying outside of a police station. I am excited for people to see how multifaceted and thoughtful he is.”
Feb. 27: Russell Ledet
Becoming a board certified physician is challenging enough, but Russell Ledet, takes it to the next level. After he completes his Triple Board Program at Indiana University in 2027, Ledet will focus his career on mental health accessibility for marginalized communities. Ledet is the first Black man to match into a Triple Board residency program in the U.S., but he isn’t waiting to finish schooling before making a major impact.
As a medical student, Ledet was part of The 15 White Coats, a cohort of African American medical students in a single class at a single institution. The 15 White Coats evolved into an organization, which Ledet co-founded. It’s known globally for propelling underrepresented minority students to careers in medicine through inspiration and economic support. He has been featured by CNN, MSNBC, People Magazine, Good Morning America, CBS Mornings and other outlets.
“This is intergenerational dialogue about the things we need to think about in terms of impacting communities, not just in terms of health, wellness and well being, but also of possibility,” said Gilbert. “For little kids to have these aspirational models, to be able to say, ‘I can do that.’ This person is from a neighborhood like mine, a community like mine. And they're real people.”
Ledet’s work has received funding from the Ford Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Institutes of Health. Gilbert said he stands on the shoulders of Anderson and Dr. Ross-Lee, and he’s unapologetic about who he is and providing care and access for communities.
“I'm excited to have someone like him to come and talk to communities – certainly those who have been historically underserved – about mental health and its importance,” said Dr. Gilbert.
The 25th Anniversary of the William G. Anderson lecture series Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey is at 5 p.m. on Feb. 13, 20 and 27 at the MSU Wharton Center. All events and parking are free – just register.
This story originally appeared on the College of Osteopathic Medicine website.