Medical Anthropologist Joins Next Medical Matters Weekly

BENNINGTON, VT—April 6, 2022—In common conversation, the words “medical” and “anthropology” are not often found side by side. But, there’s actually a whole field exploring how these two concepts overlap. It’s called Medical Anthropology. Medical Matters Weekly with Dr. Trey Dobson is pleased to welcome Carolyn Smith-Morris, PhD, one of the foremost experts in the field, at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13. 

The show is produced by Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) with cooperation from Catamount Access Television (CAT-TV). Viewers can see Medical Matters Weekly on facebook.com/svmedicalcenter and facebook.com/CATTVBennington. The show is also available to view or download as a podcast on www.svhealthcare.org/medicalmatters.

Smith-Morris is a medical anthropologist and professor at Southern Methodist University. Her research documents experiences of chronic disease, particularly diabetes, among Indigenous, migrant, and marginalized communities. Her books include two monographs: Diabetes Among the Pima: Stories of Survival with University of Arizona Press and Indigenous Communalism with Rutgers University Press. She has published two edited volumes: Chronic Conditions, Fluid States, with Lenore Manderson and Rutgers University Press, and Diagnostic Controversy from Routledge Press. She is also a contributing writer with Cultural Survival in support of Indigenous rights.

Smith-Morris received her bachelor’s in anthropology from Emory University, a master’s in rehabilitation services from Florida State University, and her master’s and PhD in anthropology from the University of Arizona. She is the current president of the Society for Medical Anthropology.

Medical Matters Weekly features the innovative personalities who drive positive change within health care and related professions. The show addresses all aspects of creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for all, including food and nutrition, housing, diversity and inclusion, groundbreaking medical care, exercise, mental health, the environment, research, and government. The show is broadcast on Facebook Live, YouTube, and all podcast platforms. After the program, the video is available on area public access television stations CAT-TV (Comcast channel 1075) and GNAT-TV's (Comcast channel 1074), as well as on public access stations throughout the United States.
 
About SVHC:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVHC includes Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, and the SVHC Foundation. SVMC includes 25 primary and specialty care practices.

Southwestern Vermont Health Care is among the most lauded small rural health systems in the nation. It is the recipient of the American Hospital Association’s 2020 Rural Hospital Leadership Award. In addition, SVMC ranked fourth nationwide for the value of care it provides by the Lown Institute Hospital Index in 2020 and is a five-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. It has also received the highest marks possible from the Leapfrog Group. The health system is fortunate to have the support of platinum-level corporate sponsor Mack, a leading supplier of contract manufacturing services and injection molded plastic parts based in Arlington, VT.

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center provides exceptional care without discriminating on the basis of an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559.