• Mayo Clinic Brings Award-Winning ‘RACE’ Exhibit to Jacksonville

 RACE- Are We So Different? banner

Mayo Clinic has partnered with the Museum of Science and History (MOSH) and the Jacksonville Civic Council to bring the “RACE: Are We So Different? exhibit to Jacksonville. The exhibit, which opens Saturday, Jan. 26, and runs through Sunday, April 28, examines the issues of race and racism in the United States from scientific, historical and cultural perspectives.

“We believe the RACE exhibit will serve as a meaningful prompt for all of us who work at Mayo Clinic and everyone in the greater community — a prompt that will provoke thought, inspire conversation and challenge convention,” says William Rupp, M.D., vice president, Mayo Clinic. “The RACE exhibition gives us all, no matter what our background or color, an opportunity to examine ourselves and how we see others.”

Developed by the American Anthropological Association in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota, ”RACE: Are We So Different?” examines the science, history and culture of race through a rich collection of video, photography, printed word and interactive technology resources.

Mayo Clinic encourages you and your family to attend the exhibit and is providing free admission to MOSH for all employees and volunteers. Discounted tickets for up to two family members or friends also will be provided. Education credits are available. Thirteen facilitated discussion sessions — each accommodating 30 employees — are being offered to Mayo Clinic employees. Sign up today on Pathlore for a facilitated discussion session. These sessions, available on a first-come, first-served basis, include a 90-minute exhibit tour and a 90-minute post-tour discussion with a trained facilitator.

Mayo Clinic also is hosting these supporting lectures and programs through April to increase awareness of the exhibit among employees and patients, and encourage attendance:

  • “FACERACE with MAYO”
    This exhibit, to be on display from Saturday, Jan. 26, through Sunday, April 28, will feature 18 employees in the gallery across from the pharmacy in the Davis Building.
  • Grand rounds lectures
    Lectures will include “Beyond Race: The Impact of Unconscious Bias on Our Perceptions and Decisions” by Mary O’Connor, M.D., on Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. EST, in Kinne Auditorium, and “Racial Myths: What Does Our DNA Say?” by Thomas Spelsberg, Ph.D., on Wednesday, April 24, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. EST, in Kinne Auditorium.
  • Film
    Place Matters,” with facilitated discussion, will be shown on Tuesday, Feb. 26, from noon to 1 p.m. EST, in Walker Auditorium.
  • Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. lecture
    This lecture will be held on Thursday, March 14, in Lazarra Hall, University of North Florida.
  • First Tuesday Concert Series celebrating cultural diversity
    The concerts will be held on Feb. 5March 5 and April 2 at noon EST in Kinne Auditorium.
  • Portrait exhibit
    About Face: Turning to New Ideas of Identity” will be on display from Monday, Feb. 18, to Sunday, April 28, in the Robert D. and Isabelle T. Davis Gallery, Mayo 1.

Supervisors and managers are encouraged to use the exhibit as a springboard for activity and discussion exploring their preconceptions and attitudes.