The South African Medico-Legal Association (SAMLA) invited Dr. Mark Tschaepe, assistant professor of Philosophy at Prairie View A&M University, to Johannesburg, South Africa to give a presentation that was simulcast to five cities across the country.

“I was invited by SAMLA, in partnership with the University of Cape Town, to teach a module within their Foundations of Medico-Legal Practice course. I taught a section of Psychology and Communication in Medico-Legal Practice. My particular module was entitled Special Communication Skills: Dealing with Diversity and Special Circumstances. I spoke specifically about addressing diversity and celebrating pluralism within medicine. My talk presented tools for inquiring into issues concerning microaggressions, in particular, especially those involving race, gender, sexuality, and disability,” said Tschaepe.

Medical doctors, spiritual healers, lawyers, and other healthcare professionals attended Tschaepe’s presentation on April 14, and over 1,000 people watched online.

“Teaching this course as a representative for Prairie View A&M University places the University on a special international stage. People within the medical and legal professions are recognizing the University as a place of significance that is producing important scholarship pertaining to their specialties, as well as to issues of diversity and inclusion,” said Tschaepe. “So far, I believe this was the most important presentation I have ever given. The feedback I received from participants was overwhelmingly positive. They were interested in the work I was doing, the students I teach at PV, and how I might be able to do more for medicine and law in South Africa. It was an amazing experience.”

Written by: Marchita Shilo