EDI Office Hosts Workshop on Restorative Approaches

Workshop focused on community centered approach that balances problem solving and relationship building.

By Andrew Tie
June 20, 2024

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusive Excellence (EDI) held a workshop on facilitating discussions using restorative approaches on May 20-21.

The two-day event, titled Circle Up: Fostering an Inclusive Culture using Restorative Approaches, helped equip faculty, staff, and students with the necessary tools to engage in safe and equitable discussions that enhance communication, engagement, well-being, and a sense of belonging.

“What we learned during this workshop was a paradigm shift from relying on punitive measures to creating positive solutions together to heal the harm and strengthen the community,” said Chanel Whittaker, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP, assistant dean for EDI and professor in the Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research (P-SHOR). “Although seen here in an EDI context, restorative approaches tools can be applied to a wide range of contexts in everyday life.”

The workshop was led by Nancy Schertzing, MS, director of the Restorative Approaches in Education Program for the Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law (C-DRUM). She has two decades of experience teaching restorative approaches and peer mediation in K-12 and at higher education institutions.

Restorative approaches can be used across the wide scope of work at the School of Pharmacy, such as to resolve interpersonal conflicts.

“We hope to use restorative approaches as an informal mechanism to address conflict to decrease the number of formal grievances filed and increase engagement, sense of belonging, and the faculty, staff, and student experience,” Whittaker said.

These 10 individuals who completed the training also received a digital badge and are recognized as facilitators.

1. Whittaker
2. Zoë Welsh, EDI coordinator
3. Shannon Tucker, PhD, assistant dean for instructional technology
4. Amanda Oglesby, PhD, associate professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, graduate program director, PhD in PSC
5. Cherokee Layson-Wolf, PharmD, BCACP, FAPhA, professor, P-SHOR
6. Jason Noel, PharmD, MPA, BCPP, associate professor, P-SHOR
7. Hillary Edwards, PhD, director of methodological research and evaluation, PATIENTS Program
8. Thomas “Joe” Howarth, PhD, lead training specialist, PATIENTS Program
9. Kate Storm, associate director of operations, PATIENTS Program
10. Melissa Smith, PharmD, BCPS, advanced practice pharmacist, Center for Innovative Pharmacy Solutions

In addition, Bill Cooper, MBA, senior associate dean for administration and finance, and Nephthalee Edmond Tefera, PharmD, BCPS, MedStar Harbor Hospital pharmacy director, attended portions of the workshop.

“I feel more equipped to diffuse and approach potential conflicts with confidence, empathy, and inclusion in mind, both in and outside the office,” Edwards said. “So often we fear conflict because the outcomes can feel punitive. What I loved about this workshop is that it puts the human first – healing the hurt.”

Noel described the workshop as enlightening and said restorative approach methods could be transformative for the School.

“Having a cohort of School or Pharmacy faculty and staff who are proficient in facilitating restorative circles, as well as other types of circles where feelings and ideas are shared openly, will foster harmony and positive culture within our programs,” Noel said.

The EDI Office will be offering additional restorative approaches workshops for faculty, staff, students, post-graduates, and preceptors in the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year.

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