Beyond the Books: A Wisconsin Librarian’s Unique Approach to Sharing ABIDE Values

 

Michele Matucheski, MLS, AHIP

Ascension WI Librarian

Michele Matucheski, a Librarian for Ascension Wisconsin, wants to help associates learn about different groups in hopes of decreasing disparities in healthcare. 

Michele, the 2023 Wisconsin Health Science Library Association Librarian of the Year, sees reading as central to this work.

“[Reading] is the closest thing you can get to being in someone else's shoes,” Michele said. “Reading can open a whole new world of understanding and empathy for someone. Imagining interactions with people from other groups can help enhance understanding, which in turn can decrease prejudice and negative responses toward those groups.”

Michele has displayed a collection of books that highlight the ABIDE framework in the window of the library at Ascension Mercy Hospital  in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She also writes a blog to help associates learn more about diversity and equity in relation to patient interactions. Michele publishes five to ten articles each month. 

One blog post highlighted  “The Legacy of Freedom House: The Black Men who became America’s First Paramedics.” She included video resources and recorded zoom conversations in addition to book recommendations for associates to learn more. 

More recently, she highlighted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health equity video series. 

Michele said she believes deeper understanding of patients’ perspectives can help physicians and providers to offer more compassionate care. 

“It can also help them understand why a patient won't follow their medical advice,” Michele said. “Maybe they can’t afford it or it gives them a nasty side effect. If the provider can understand where the person is coming from, then they can have a conversation about how they can make it better.”

'Go Deeper" Team Reflection Questions

1. How has a book or movie allowed you to better understand someone whose life experience differs greatly from your own? 

2. How can that deeper understanding impact everyday interactions at work? 

Read more on Good Day Ascension's ABIDE microsite  ...  and watch a short video of Michele.

A - Appreciation

B - Belonging

I - Inclusion

D - Diversity

E - Equity