Diversity & Community Health Equity
UI Health Celebrates Diversity
Inclusion Calendar
UI Health CHAMPIONS
UI Health Honors Black History Month
Women's History Month
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Disability Pride & Awareness
National Hispanic Heritage Month
UI Health Honors Native American Heritage Month: Honoring Resilience, Healing, and Heritage
Jewish American Heritage Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Filipino American Heritage Month
UI Health Honors Arab American Heritage Month
Bridging Care & Community—Partnering for Trust, Understanding, and Better Health Outcomes
This April, UI Health recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by promoting greater awareness of the diverse experiences, cultural contexts, and healthcare needs of Arab American communities. This educational program highlights the important role that community-based partnerships play in strengthening patient trust, improving communication, and supporting positive health outcomes.
Delivering high-quality care requires understanding the broader factors that influence how patients engage with healthcare systems. For many Arab American patients and families, experiences related to language access, cultural practices, social determinants of health, and historical interactions with institutions can shape care-seeking behaviors and treatment decisions. Community-based organizations often serve as trusted partners that help bridge gaps in understanding and connect individuals to resources that support overall wellbeing.
This event provides an opportunity for staff to deepen their cultural awareness and explore practical approaches to collaborating with community partners in ways that enhance patient-centered care
Advancing Understanding Through Partnership
Healthcare professionals regularly encounter patients whose health experiences are influenced by cultural norms, family dynamics, and community context. Strengthening cultural humility and developing meaningful relationships with trusted community organizations can support more effective communication, increase care access, and foster more responsive healthcare environments.
Through a fireside-chat style discussion, participants will hear perspectives from community leaders who work closely with Arab American populations. The conversation will focus on strategies for strengthening collaboration between healthcare institutions and community-based organizations to support patient engagement, improve care navigation, and promote culturally informed care delivery.
Participants Will:
- Gain insight into cultural and social factors that may influence healthcare experiences for Arab American patients
- Learn how community-based organizations support patient education, access to services, and continuity of care
- Identify practical approaches to building trust and communicating effectively across cultural differences
- Reflect on opportunities to strengthen partnerships that support improved health outcomes
Featured Event: Bridging Care & Community—Partnering for Trust, Understanding, and Better Health Outcomes
- Date: April 15, 2026
- Time: 11 am — 1:30 pm (CT)
- Location: Hospital Room 1310 or Online via Zoom
- Register today!
Fireside Chat Focus Areas
Participants are invited to engage in a facilitated conversation exploring:
- Cultural Context and Patient Experience
- Understanding how language, cultural values, religious practices, and family structures can influence healthcare engagement and decision-making.
- Building Trust and Addressing Barriers to Care
- Examining how historical experiences, access challenges, and systemic factors can affect patient trust and utilization of healthcare services.
- Community-Based Support and Care Navigation
- Highlighting the role of community organizations in supporting outreach, education, and connection to culturally appropriate services.
- Behavioral Health Considerations
- Discussing opportunities to increase awareness of mental health needs and reduce stigma through culturally responsive approaches.
- Strengthening Hospital–Community Partnerships
- Identifying practical strategies healthcare teams can use to collaborate with community partners to enhance patient experience and continuity of care.
Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of how community collaboration contributes to patient-centered care and organizational efforts to advance health equity.
Event Flow
- 11:30 – 11:55 am: Arrival & Cultural Music Playlist
- 11:55 – 12:00 pm: Welcome
- 12:00 – 1:00 pm: Fireside Chat and Audience Q&A
- 1:00 – 1:25 pm: Interactive Reflection Activity
- 1:25 – 1:30 pm: Closing & Resource Sharing
- Lunch will be provided
Speakers
- Itedal Shalabi: Co-Founder and Executive Director, Arab American Family Services
- Zeina Zaatari: Director, Arab American Cultural Center, UIC
At UI Health, we are committed to fostering inclusive environments and delivering culturally responsive care that reflects the needs of the communities we serve. We encourage staff, clinicians, students, and community partners to participate in this learning opportunity and join us in recognizing Arab American Heritage Month.
For additional information or to get involved:
Office of Diversity and Community Health Equity
UIHDiversity@uic.edu
Visit: ODCHE.UIHealth.Care
Archives
Read more about the achievements and contributions of Arab Americans in our community throughout the years.
