The MSU units involved with this annual event included the College of Human Medicine, the College of Osteopathic Medicine, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and MSU Health Sciences.

Marshall’s talk, titled “There is Still Hope: Addressing Health Disparities and Strengthening Well-Being in our Communities,” took place on January 23, 2025.

Bringing her perspective as the director of the Center for Racial and Social Justice at the Michigan Public Health Institute, Marshall shared an uplifting message of hope and action within healthcare of all kinds. Being a two-time MSU alum, and having served the MSU Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion and the Diversity Research Network, she also carried a personal connection to the university into her talk.

Marita Gilbert, PhD, the associate dean of diversity and campus inclusion at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, also introduced Marshall as a “servant leader, a scholar-practitioner, a lover of community, a faith walker, and a freedom dreamer.”

Marshall wove Dr. King’s quotes into her talk to argue for those involved in healthcare to fight for more access and equity.

Here at the College of Veterinary Medicine, we often say veterinarians are leaders in their communities. Marshall emphasized the need to lead in a way that serves and uplifts one’s community, “You have to use your voice. You have to use your power.”

“Health disparities don’t just impact a person,” said Marshall. “They impact the entire community. It’s a ripple effect.” When sick pets cannot be treated due to financial concerns, and pass that illness on to other pets in public settings, the disparity in wealth can affect the animal companions and even the food animals of an entire community. Because of such ripple effects, she emphasized the need for those with the power to use it to improve equity in healthcare.

Marshall was passionate about making change at the intersection of policy, education, and community engagement.

“Public health is about prevention and promoting wellbeing. It is not just a field of study or just a practice. It is a moral imperative—public health requires us to look beyond ourselves and really explore the intersections in our own lives and move beyond that. Public health calls and urges us to take action. Through dismantling barriers and obstacles and to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves,” said Marshall.

Marshall encouraged attendees to “take the first step”—essentially, to take action in their work, families, and communities in ways that are feasible.

For the university audience, she highlighted that King was known for listening to students and the importance of youth involvement. She advised students to speak up and act if they notice inequities in healthcare or their environments. “What is calling you? How are you strategically using your voice?”

And to staff and faculty, she asked, “How are you creating space for dialogue to hear from students? Are they in those rooms—at those tables?”

Ultimately, her advice to everyone was to find reachable actions to improve the wellbeing of their communities. To figure out what is practical in one’s personal circle that promotes a healthier lifestyle. For many healthcare workers, that may be pursuing a better work life balance or creating access to more nutritious foods on breaks. “Get out of the conceptual space,” she said. “What can you do that’s right in front of you? Today? Tomorrow?”

Marshall suggested that for those who wish to honor and walk in King’s legacy, “We too must dream of a world where health disparities are eliminated.”

The talk emphasized that those listening and taking action against disparity represent the hope for bridging the gap for people and animals across all medical fields.

For those who would like to watch a recording of Marshall’s talk, it is available here.