Annual DOP Cultural Celebration
March 28, 2024
Once again, we gathered to celebrate the diverse cultures in the Department of Psychiatry with trainees, staff, and faculty in attendance! Our 7th Annual Cultural Celebration was held on March 28th, 2024. We got to see a variety of cultural backgrounds represented by our colleagues in their finest attire including kilts and Kurta Pajama. We also sampled food from around the world, including delicious millionaire shortbread, haggis bon bons, apple cake, roasted pecans, rugelach, hamantaschen, Persian cookies, and lots of other dishes! Each year we have traditional cultural displays, and this year we were lucky to be regaled by our own Dr. Jyoti Mishra and her son beautifully playing the sitar together. This year we also featured an exciting new theme “The music of our lives!”. It was wonderful to hear the music that has inspired attendees and hearing stories of their importance! Dr. Lisa Eyler played that music throughout and hosted a music trivia competition – congratulations to Dr. Eve Lasswell for taking first place despite some stiff competition! Finally, thank you to all who attended and to the planning committee team members (Drs. Apri Minnassian, Lisa Eyler, Tiffany Greenwood, Pei-an Betty Shih, Elizabeth Twamley, and Jared Young).
April 20, 2023
On Thursday, April 20, 2023 the EDI Action Council hosted the Department of Psychiatry’s Sixth Annual Cultural Celebration. After several long years, we were excited to return to celebrate together in-person in a fun and festive atmosphere. Faculty, staff, trainees, and their families enjoyed delicious potluck treats from around the world, an Irish dancing group performance, whiskey tasting, and raffled off gift baskets. Thanks to the efforts of the planning committee, a wonderful time was had by all. We can’t wait to see you join in on the fun at next year's event!
February 23, 2018
The Fourth Annual Psychiatry Department Cultural Celebration was held on Friday, February 23rd, 2018. This year’s event attracted new and returning guests to a new, festively-decorated venue. Faculty, staff, and trainees dined on potluck treats from around the world and participated in a BINGO game to get to know each other and our cultural influences. Against a backdrop of world music and a slideshow of baby photos, ancestors, and homelands, adults and children mingled and decorated handprints to reflect countries of origin and other factors that shape our identity. The highlight of the evening was a performance from the UCSD student dance troupe ZOR. We were treated to a whirlwind Bollywood-style performance that they created on the theme of depression in order to decrease stigma and increase awareness about the importance of supporting those struggling with mental health issues. The dancers inspired us with their technical skill and dedication to this cause. We hope you will join the fun at next year's event!
February 24th, 2017
The Third Annual Psychiatry Department Cultural Celebration was held on Friday, February 24th, 2017. Organized by the Psychiatry Department Chair's Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues, the event was bigger and better than ever! Faculty, staff, and trainees provided a smorgasbord of tasty dishes and libations that reflected their cultural backgrounds, and many wore festive traditional outfits. A rolling slide show featured baby pictures and photos of Department members with cultural meaning. Members of Capoeira Mandinga entertained and impressed us with their high-energy blend of dance and martial arts. We look forward to seeing you at next year's event!
October 23rd, 2015
The Second Annual Psychiatry Department Cultural Celebration was held on Friday, October 23rd, 2015. Organized by the Psychiatry Department Chair's Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues and co-sponosored this year by the UCSD Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the event was a resounding success! Faculty, staff, and trainees sampled international dishes and libations and socialized while enjoying Greek guitar music. Activities included drawing the flag of your country of origin and a "Cultural BINGO" game that helped us discover unique aspects of each others' life experiences. Members of the Roots Dance Theater entertained us with a trio of international dances and then, with the help of Department Chair Igor Grant, got some party-goers to join them on the dance floor. We look forward to seeing you at next year's event!
September 30th, 2014
On Tuesday, September 30th, 2014, The Chair's Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues held its First Annual Psychiatry Department Cultural Celebration. Members of the Department, including staff, faculty, and trainees, came together to socialize and celebrate the diversity of our ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The event included a potluck buffet with mouth-watering dishes from different countries and various regions of the US. Attendees shared information about their origins by filling out name tags and placing a pin on a map of the world. Highlights of the festivities included a tango demonstration by talented dancers from the UCSD Department of Communications and an impromptu taste-test between whiskeys from Ireland and Scotland! Thanks to the efforts of the planning committee, led by Arpi Minassian, a wonderful time was had by all, and there was unanimous support for hosting the celebration again next year. Hope to see you there!