Student Doctor Shrida Sharma’s Vision for PNWU’s Week of Belonging
As words like diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging become increasingly polarized and politicized, a collection of PNWU students, faculty and staff are rising above the noise to ensure they are a reality at their health sciences university.
With the support of PNWU’s administration, Student Doctor Shrida Sharma and her PNWU peers are breathing fresh air into the sails of PNWU’s annual Week of Belonging.
Growing up in a rural community, Student Dr. Sharma witnessed firsthand the inequities that exist in healthcare and education, particularly for marginalized groups. As a woman of color in a predominantly white town, she often found herself navigating spaces where she didn’t feel like she truly belonged. However, when she enrolled at Oregon State University, she says she “felt like I found my people.”
Surrounded by a vibrant and diverse community, she was inspired by how diversity was celebrated and woven into the fabric of the campus. This transformative experience, where belonging was both embraced and encouraged, left an indelible mark on her and drives her commitment to creating spaces where every student, patient, and provider feels valued and empowered to be themselves.
“As a medical student, I wanted to ensure that every person who walked through PNWU’s doors felt they belonged and had the tools to provide inclusive care,” Student Dr. Sharma explained. “I wanted to create a space where diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging could be explored, celebrated, and embraced, with the goal of making these principles part of the very foundation of how we learn, teach, and practice medicine.”
Drawing on her personal experiences, Student Dr. Sharma pushed to create a week that was more than just a series of panels and events; a true week of transformation that would spark meaningful conversations and create lasting change. After taking on the role of DEIB Senator for the Class of 2027 and collaborating with faculty, staff, and students, her vision for PNWU’s Week of Belonging has taken shape.
In collaboration with PNWU’s Office of the President and Student Affairs Office, Student Dr. Sharma has worked tirelessly to develop an event that’s more than just listening to speakers, but instead an immersive experience capable of encouraging the entire PNWU community to think critically about how they can contribute to a culture of belonging.
Set to take place March 24-28, this year’s Week of Belonging includes a range of activities meant to engage the entire PNWU community. From cultural celebrations like a Holi festival and a basket weaving workshop, to discussions about ableism, healthcare disparities, and cultural competency, the week focuses on both education and action.
“The goal was to provide actionable takeaways that would impact how we practice medicine,” explained Student Dr. Sharma. “We wanted everyone to leave the week feeling not only more knowledgeable, but also more responsible — to recognize their own biases, to support people with disabilities, and to ensure culturally competent care for everyone we serve.”
Beyond the week’s activities, organizers envision an effort extending into the long term, with an annual Week of Belonging at PNWU that can grow and evolve with even more interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and conversation about healthcare’s systemic barriers. In the end, they hope topics like inclusivity and belonging will be ingrained in how PWNU students and faculty show up for each other every day.
“It’s about creating a lasting change that goes beyond the events,” said Student Dr. Sharma. “This is about building a culture where inclusivity is the standard, not something that needs to be earned. It’s about having these tough conversations, learning from each other, and moving forward with empathy and action.”
“Belonging isn’t something we should take for granted,” she added. “It’s something we have to actively work toward every day, for ourselves and for each other. I want PNWU to be a place where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.”
