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Author: Didi Matthews, PT, DPT

Didi Matthews, PT, DPT is an Associate Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy at the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Vice Chair of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Director of the Division Institute for Excellence in Teaching. In her role as Vice Chair, she leads the Diversity, Anti-Racism, Inclusion, and Community Engagement Council which builds sustainable mechanisms, policies, and initiatives to improve equitable practices within the Division’s research, educational, and clinical practice programs. Her research aims to study and disseminate the impact of equitable policies and practices on organizational systems. She believes the humanities are essential to health care education and health equity, as they provide critical perspectives on cultural context, empathy, and social determinants of health, fostering more comprehensive and equitable care delivery.

Building Community Through Storytelling: A Case Report

These authors report on their most recent ‘StorySlam’ – an event hosted by USC’s Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy – where Division members described their personal encounters with diversity, equity, and inclusion. The storytellers (including faculty, students, and patients) spoke for just 5 minutes each. But the attendees – many quoted here – noted the impact of those stories, and their enhanced sense of connection with their fellow Division members.