Get To Know: Chayla Morris, PharmD, BCACP | Broadlawns Celebrates Black History Month Awards and Recognitions February 17, 2023 This Black History Month, Broadlawns is celebrating by highlighting a few of the many amazing Black individuals who make an impact every day at our hospital. Chayla Morris, PharmD, BCACP Job Title Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator Tell us about what you do in a typical day. My position involves starting different pharmacy-led services at Broadlawns, so my day usually varies (which I enjoy!). Some days I am staffing in the Primary Care Clinic providing direct patient care to help people manage their chronic disease states like hypertension or diabetes. Other days, I may have hospital committee meetings or meetings with organizations that want to collaborate with Broadlawns. I also help to organize community outreach events like health fairs and vaccination clinics. How long have you worked at Broadlawns? I have been at BMC for 10 months! What attracted you to a career in healthcare? I love to help educate others, and a career in pharmacy allowed me the opportunity to work directly with people and improve their health literacy. My experiences so far are beyond what I imagined when I started pharmacy school, and I’m excited to be able to help people on a broader scale. What do you like about working at Broadlawns? Broadlawns Medical Center is an organization that is based on serving patients that otherwise might fall through the cracks, and it is evident when you talk with any of the staff. It has been so refreshing to work with amazing people that share the same mission as you, and truly put the patient at the center of their work. Name a Black American you admire and think people should learn more about. Everyone should know the story of Henrietta Lacks, a black woman who is inadvertently responsible for decades of medical research – all without her consent. Her story is just one of many that highlights the unfortunate mistrust of the healthcare system that exists within the Black community. What books by Black authors do you recommend? Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston; Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison; Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes; Born a Crime by Trevor Noah What does it mean to be an inclusive healthcare provider? An inclusive healthcare provider recognizes that every patient interaction may come with its own challenges, but that each one deserves respect and the best care possible. It is vital to meet the patient where they are in their healthcare journey and at times their needs and/or goals might require additional resources that the provider didn’t realize were necessary. By advocating for the patient in all aspects of their life, we are promoting healthier outcomes for our community beyond the walls of our hospital. What ways do you challenge/invite others to honor Black history, this month and beyond? I invite everyone to participate in local events throughout the year that support Black businesses, organizations, and culture. I also suggest learning about Black history here in Des Moines and throughout Iowa!