Why are people around the world increasingly distrustful of science and medical innovation in healthcare? What is the role of traditional knowledge in healing, and how can we ensure approaches that establish its harmony with modern healthcare practices?
The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council and Iowa City Senior Center invite you to a presentation by Jeanine Abrons and Chief Lorenzo Sanford. They will explore how, over time, certain medical systems—often shaped by colonial and academic traditions as well as political movements—have intentionally and unintentionally overlooked the wisdom of community elders, healers, and cultural practices and the related impacts to health access and relationship dynamics.
Refreshments will be provided.
Jeanine P. Abrons, PharmD, MS, received her pharmacy degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and a Master of Sciences in Social & Administrative Pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She began her career as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Albany, NY. She now serves as a Co-Director for the University of Iowa Mobile Clinics, overseeing 14 clinic sites. She is an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor for Carver College of Medicine, the Department of Emergency Medicine, and the College of Pharmacy at the University of Iowa. Dr. Abrons’ focus areas are global health for underserved populations, global/travel health, and emergency preparedness. Dr. Abrons’ other academic roles include collaboration with educational institutions worldwide including Dominica State College and the University of Technology in Jamaica. She is the founder and CEO of Travel Medica, a global health education, consulting, and clinical services company. She has experience in working with over 20 countries.
Chief Lorenzo Sanford was elected in 2019 as the youngest chief in the Caribbean island of Dominica's history of the Kalinago people. At the time of his election, he was 22 years old. Currently, 26-year-old Lorenzo Sanford understands the weight of his responsibility. His decision to run for chief came the morning after a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane in Dominica in September 2017, and his people were among the most impacted by the storm. As Chief of the Kalinago people and leader of the Kalinago Council, Sanford is responsible for the 3,000-acre Kalinago territory along the island’s northeast coast, directly facing the Atlantic Ocean and equatorial trade winds in Dominica. Over the six years since the hurricane, the country and the Kalinago people have focused on rebuilding infrastructure with a focus on sustainability and climate resiliency. Chief Sanford and his tribe understand the interconnected nature of the planet, and his people view themselves as guardians of cultural heritage and their environment, and face constant threats of climate change.
Chief Sanford has led the Kalinago people through numerous collaborations with organizations, such as the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program, and the India-UN Cooperation. His efforts amplify the voices of youth and cultural preservation, seeing renewed efforts related to traditional healing, spirituality, language preservation, empowerment, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He is quoted as saying, “The most profitable future for our communities is to develop a diverse set of activities based on farming, tourism, traditional crafts, and community-based natural resource management.” Recently, he has continued his development as a Chief through the US Department of State's Internal Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).