Photo: Phil Smith
UMass Chan Medical School welcomed Imari K. Paris Jeffries, PhD, president and CEO of Embrace Boston, as the 2025 Martin Luther King Celebration of Service keynote speaker on Monday, Jan. 27.
Dr. Jeffries emphasized the interconnectedness of life and democracy, using nature as a metaphor for resilience and cooperation, specifically highlighting the concept of “canopy shyness” in trees, suggesting that space and boundaries are crucial for the health and resilience of communities.
“We are reminded that democracy, like nature, is most alive when it is diverse, resilient and inclusive. Democracy is a living, dynamic process, a sheer journey toward a society that embraces and protects space for every voice,” Jeffries said.
Jeffries leads Embrace Boston, an arts, culture, research and policy center that aims to dismantle structural racism through the Embrace monument on the Boston Common and community organizing efforts, such as the Embrace Ideas Festival. He is a member of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees and received his PhD at UMass Boston.
The 37th annual tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. also included the presentation of the 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Advancing Institutional Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to Paul Charles, director of the Baccalaureate MD Pathway Program in the T.H. Chan School of Medicine.
Charles was hired by the Outreach Programs Office as a college student in the summer of 2009 for the High School Health Careers Program. From 2010 to 2024, Charles served as the summer program assistant for the Summer Enrichment Program. In 2016, he was hired as director of the BaccMD program in the School of Medicine’s Office of Admissions.
Photo: Faith Ninivaggi
During the award presentation, Chancellor Michael F. Collins said, “You have exhibited a sustained commitment to mentoring and exemplified a passionate advocacy focused on nurturing the development of aspiring physicians from underrepresented and marginalized groups. Those students entrusted to you feel seen, heard, valued and respected. Their success is your success, and you help them make their aspirations into achievable goals.”
Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine, presented the 2025 Martin Luther King Semester of Service Student Awards to 16 medical school students across four projects.
The program is a community service initiative that enhances health care education for UMass Chan students as they expand the institution’s impact and outreach in local neighborhoods.
The 2025 MLK Semester of Service Student Award projects are:
Eye Care in Worcester
T.H. Chan School of Medicine students Uma Agrawal, Kenny Huang and Joe Matte.
Project description: The proposal seeks to expand eye care services through Eye Care Worcester, offering free monthly eye exams at the Epworth Free Medical Program.
Community partner: Worcester Free Care Collaborative
Increasing Digital Health Literacy among the Non-English-Speaking Population of Central Massachusetts
T.H. Chan School of Medicine students Vivien Tran and Ada Zhu
Project description: This initiative addresses technological and language barriers for non-English speaking and elderly patients in Central Massachusetts.
Community partner: Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts
Improving Pediatric Nutrition Education and Accessibility in Worcester
T.H. Chan School of Medicine MD/PhD student Jillian Belgrad, and medical students Pamela Chan and Owen Glogovsky
Project description: This initiative focuses on pediatric nutrition, offering monthly sessions with hands-on demos, educational materials and resources on healthy eating and affordable food access.
Community partner: Marie’s Mission
DEI in Dermatology: Educational Outreach
T.H. Chan School of Medicine students Harman Bindra, Hanna Englander, Claudia Hyun, Harlene Kaur, Milan Rosen, Ingie Sorour, Ryan Thai and Yuying Zhang
Project description: This initiative focuses on addressing resource disparities and supporting students facing barriers to higher education and careers in medicine using a three-pronged approach to bridge gaps in early career exposure and mentorship; community collaboration; and equitable access and resource allocation.
Community partners: Quinsigamond Community College, Bruce Wells Scholars Upward Bound, Dynamy John S. Laws Youth Academy
