We, the undersigned members of LGBTQ+ Students and Allies in Public Health (LGBTQ-SAPH), strongly denounce police brutality and impunity against Black communities and, more broadly, racism and white supremacy in all their societal manifestations. We unequivocally express our support of the Black community, and all other communities of color demanding justice.

Dennis Vacante is an instructor for the Department of Kinesiology and coordinator for the Children’s Development Clinic at the University of Maryland School of Public Health.

Dear SPH community,

We are all grieving the tragic killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery and too many other Black men, women, children and transgender persons, named and unnamed, we have lost to violence fueled by racism, inhumanity and injustice. We have also been mourning the disproportionate and preventable loss of black and brown lives from COVID-19 as the pandemic has laid bare the structural inequities of our society and hit the most vulnerable among us hardest. 

We are all grieving the tragic killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery and too many other Black men, women, children and transgender persons, named and unnamed, we have lost to violence fueled by racism, inhumanity and injustice.

Across the world we are all facing unprecedented times and are practicing safety protocols like wearing a mask, maintaining physical distancing and washing our hands frequently. Cyndi Kershaw, an undergraduate teaching assistant program coordinator for the School of Public Health, has been making cloth masks to help to stop the spread of COVID-19. She’s made over 100 masks and counting, with delivery spanning across the US from Maryland to California. She is asking everyone to donate funds in lieu of payment to the UMD Student Crisis Fund, the Campus Pantry, and/or Keep Me Maryland.

Spreading positivity and sharing messages of support is an important way to keep connected with one another while maintaining physical distancing. In the spirit of #KeepTogether, please enjoy a video message from our Dean Lushniak, as well as a #ShellsUnited video message from every one of our UMD academic deans.

Stephanie Grutzmacher MS ‘04, PhD ‘07, a former University of Maryland School of Public Health employee, is doing public health good during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing meals to ICU and ER healthcare workers throughout Maryland. While Stephanie now lives and works in Oregon, she remains a Marylander at heart. Stephanie has raised more than $6,000 with over 70 people from the School of Public Health, University of Maryland and friends across the US. Food will continue to be sent across the Maryland region as people continue to give and until the money runs out.

Cyndi Kershaw, an undergraduate teaching assistant program coordinator for the School of Public Health, is making cloth masks to help to stop the spread of COVID-19. Cyndi has made over 100 masks and counting, with delivery spanning across the US from Maryland to California. She is asking everyone to donate funds in lieu of payment to the UMD Student Crisis Fund, which has given over $570,000 to 1,200 students over the past few weeks.

Zeina Mohamad Alkhalaf didn’t plan to go into public health, at least not at first. She received a degree in communications and public relations and conducted humanitarian work through a non-profit. But at the age of 23, Zeina was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that affects around 200,000 individuals in the US every year and can lead to infertility, diabetes and even cancer.

A recent article in The Diamondback profiled a new group at the School of Public Health for LGBTQ+ students and allies. The group’s draft mission statement is to promote LGBTQ+ health equity and social justice by engaging in research, advocacy, education and leadership projects and initiatives at UMD and beyond.