Odyssey Contreras
Leadership in Inclusive Excellence Award for Student
Odyssey Contreras, MS, ATC is a first-generation Mexican American who was born and raised in Northern California. She is a first year Physician Assistant student about to enter her clinical year, and the President for PASSED (PA Students Supporting Engagement and Difference). While she has spent most of her time in the healthcare field, she decided to pursue a career as a physician assistant in hopes to find more opportunities to connect with the community around her. It is through the University of Utah Physician Assistant Program that she found a deep passion for leadership…and hopes to continue to create opportunities where individuals feel heard, welcomed, and accepted. “While [it] can seem complex, the essence of connection is in the simplicity of trust and understanding.”
Odyssey’s nominator, Darin Ryujin, wrote, “Over the last 15 months, she has been able to not only excel in a didactic program that entails being in the classroom from 8am-5pm but has also developed and led many community outreach events.” Just a few of these events include:
- The Maui Lahaina initiative that raised thousands of dollars for the Lahaina community
- A winter clothing drive for Guadalupe Elementary School students as well as individuals who are unsheltered
- The Black Perspectives in Healthcare Panel
Odyssey “unequivocally, continually demonstrates leadership in advancing…health equity and will continue to do so as a medical provider and citizen of her community.”
Donna Baluchi
Leadership in Inclusive Excellence Award for Research
Donna Baluchi, MLIS (she/they) is the Access & Outreach Librarian at the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library at the University of Utah. She endeavors to create an atmosphere across communities and within classrooms that is accessible, welcoming, and inclusive for all who seek library services, and build bridges for those considering careers within health professions. She has been a devoted health and information–literacy instructor since 2017. Her research interests include disinformation ecosystems, trauma-informed teaching, health disparities, zines, and data privacy.
Their nominator, Nena Schvaneveldt said: “Donna collaborated on research projects across several disciplines, which resulted in recommendations for…facilitating positive organizational culture…and improving online guides for better access to all learners. They are currently involved in Leading the Charge, a multi-year project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to improve the experiences of people of color working in library and information science. As part of this plan, she has undertaken her own research project, which is still in progress and will add to a necessary scholarly conversation about workforce excellence. Donna is a tireless advocate for equitable access to information for all, the advancement of health professions, and the unique role of the library to bring learners together. They are a phenomenal colleague whose accomplishments go far beyond what could be included here.”
Tatiana Allen-Webb
Leadership in Inclusive Excellence Award for Staff
Ms. Tatiana Allen-Webb, BS, CCRP, is the Associate Director of the Utah Area Health Education Centers (AHEC). She is dedicated and results-driven, with a passion for excellence in healthcare. Tatiana excels in facilitating collaborations between community stakeholders, students, and researchers across the translational science continuum. Her forte is seamlessly coordinating interdisciplinary teams and leveraging diverse skill sets to achieve objectives in a dynamic healthcare landscape. Her extensive expertise includes managing the AHEC Scholars program in Utah, recruiting health professions students from various universities, and training Community Health Workers. Tatiana is adept at developing study materials, conducting data collection and analysis, recruiting and moderating focus groups, and performing staff and provider surveys and clinic observations. She works closely with researchers on project management, timelines, and project-related communications. A native of Bogotá, Colombia, Tatiana brings a rich cultural perspective to her work. She has three adult children and resides in Salt Lake City with her husband and dogs.
When nominating Tatiana, Sidnee Myers said: “Among all of the amazing faculty and staff at the Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, no one embodies ‘Inclusive Excellence’ quite like Tatiana. She creates a safe space for intercultural dialogue in every program she manages including integrating community health workers into the school of medicine curriculum and managing the interprofessional cohorts of the Utah AHEC Scholars. Within the department, Tatiana's compassion, empathy, and humility create a safe space for all individuals no matter their educational or cultural background and identity.”
Kristen Carroll
Leadership in Inclusive Excellence Award for Faculty
Kristen Carroll, M.D., grew up in Massachusetts and went to Brown University (BA English literature and neuroscience) and then attended Albany Medical College. From age 7 through medical school, she competed and coached as a professional water skier. She then moved to Utah for her residency, followed by fellowship at the University of Utah training at both Shriners Children's Salt Lake City and PCH. She joined the University of Utah in 1996, working at both Primary Children's Hospital and Shriners Children's. Over the past 10 years, she has focused on children with neuromuscular disease such as cerebral palsy, myopathies and neuropathies. She is director of the CP and neuromuscular clinics at Shriners SLC. Dr. Carroll has served as chief of staff at Shriners Children's Salt Lake City from 2014-2024. She became a full professor of orthopedics in 2015. She received the Sherman S. Coleman Presidential Chair in pediatric orthopedics in 2019. She has served as chair, or member, of the committee for residency selection for the University of Utah for 29 years. She served as Gait lab director for the movement analysis lab at SLC Shriners for the past 8 years. She is married to Dr Steve Bott, professor of anesthesia at the UU and has 2 wonderful sons.
When nominating Dr. Carroll for this award, Dr. Sarina Sinclair had this to say:
“[Her] passion and love for people of all abilities and backgrounds is apparent as she serves them daily. Dr. Carroll’s work to promote the…Women in Orthopedics [program] has been remarkable: hosting students/trainees within her home, recruiting and mentoring young female surgeons, mentoring visiting interns and fellows, and hosting Women in Ortho retreats. This work has resulted in Utah Ortho Department’s class of 2024 being comprised of 67% female resident interns, a historical milestone for our premier residency program! Dr. Carroll is always the first to volunteer for outreach activities…and she joyfully supports these programs after finishing a full week in the operating room treating complex pediatric surgical cases. Her commitment to this space is unparalleled…”
Black Physicians of Utah (BPOU)
Leadership in Inclusive Excellence Award for Community Partner
Black Physicians of Utah (BPOU) envisions a Utah that equitably represents persons of African descent in medical professions and eliminates racialized health disparities in the state of Utah. They aim to work towards achieving health equity for Black and underserved Utahns. They uniquely provide a platform for Black physicians, physicians-in-training, and the community to easily reach and connect with a physician they can trust to understand the day-to-day inequities they face while seeking medical care.
When nominating BPOU, Jessica Hurtado, from the School of Medicine Dean’s Office, wrote:
“They are a key player in our community, and I have personally observed the overwhelming amount of voluntary support and mentorship they provide… They host regular events to raise patient empowerment awareness on various topics such as Breast and Prostate Cancer as well as Hypertension, Stroke and Maternal mortality. They support community health fairs and mixers to support a strong Black community on campus and in the Salt Lake Valley throughout the year. …(T)his group goes above and beyond to create inclusive spaces on campus and in the community. They also support the recruitment and retention of Black students at the University of Utah, fostering…opportunity and nurturing a welcoming and inclusive campus climate.”
Darin Ryujin
Leadership in Inclusive Excellence Award for Transformation
Jessica Jones
Leadership in Inclusive Excellence Award for Transformation
Darin Ryujin, MS, MPAS, PA-C is a Professor and Vice Chair for Advocacy, Success, and Impact in the Division of Physician Assistant Education and Sciences. He has been involved in PA education at the University of Utah for 21 years and has had a primary charge of creating inclusive excellence, belonging and fairness for medical learners, graduates, faculty, staff and professionals in order to address health equity in our historically marginalized communities.
Jessica L. Jones, MD, MSPH has served as faculty at the Department of Family & Preventive Medicine (DFPM) for over 18 years. She strives to fortify success for all and advance belonging…at the University of Utah. Jessica is the Chair of the DFPM Resiliency & Belonging Committee and was a Wellness Champion for the Community Provider Group for over 2 years. As an urgent care provider, she is on the front line of clinical public health, and continues to teach and advise medical, public health, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner students, as well as family medicine residents. Jessica loves being a wife, and a mom to busy 4-, 6-, 21- & 23-year-olds. Her main outlet is Zumba (which she affectionately calls her “Zumba therapy”). She’s a cat person, whose favorite color is purple. Jessica’s favorite local getaway is to Eden, Utah, but favorite vacation spot is Hawaii!
Nominated for their leadership in their respective departments and divisions, the groups that they have worked with, “implemented tools that assess for…belonging in the workplace and actively implements platforms for faculty and staff to provide feedback.” They have both “led efforts to advance health equity throughout the university…”