On January 25, 2019 the second floor atrium of North Pavilion was filled with the tantalizing scents of a myriad cuisines, as students, faculty, and staff of UAB Medicine wandered from booth to booth to the sound of international music. UAB School of Medicine’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion was hosting its annual Diversity Fair, and the atrium was packed to overflowing as hundreds of guests milled through.

This is the third year in a row the School of Medicine’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion has sponsored this Fair, in which each department showcases the food, décor, and atmosphere of one or more cultures associated with their staff and faculty.  “It is truly a delight to see the effort each department puts into the Fair,” said Mona Fouad, M.D., MPH, Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, “and to enjoy the wealth of diversity UAB Medicine has to offer.”

In addition to the creative food offerings by each department, attendees were entertained by the musical stylings of Sol Musica, an international fusion band featuring from as far afield as Peru and India. Led by band director Arturo La Cruz, Sol Musica played a range of unique songs from around the world, as well as American classics.

In the café just off the atrium, three acclaimed slam poets – Michael Harriot, Shaunteka Curry, and BeShaun Judah, performed original works. All three poets have achieved either regional or national honors for their writing/performing. 

The Diversity Fair provides a unique opportunity for UAB School of Medicine to come together to celebrate both the uniqueness and commonalities of its students, faculty, and staff. 

Each year, judges circulate through the tables, evaluating each display not only for the food offerings, but also for their creativity and presentation. First, second, and third place are awarded, with the winning departments receiving gift cards to local eateries. This year’s winners were:

First Place (tie):            Department of Microbiology

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Second Place:               Department of Medicine

Third Place:                  Department of Pathology

Tying for 4th place were the following departments, receiving Honorable Mention: 

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Department of Pediatrics

Department of Surgery