Mental Health Trailblazers Podcast S1 Ep5: Dr. Christopher Coleman

Episode Summary

Plug into a new episode of “Mental Health Trailblazers, Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up,” where our host Indrias Kassaye will be connecting with Dr. Christopher Coleman, professor and associate dean at the Indiana University School of Nursing. His research focuses on understanding factors that influence health-promoting behaviors of HIV infected middle-aged and older African American men and HIV risk factors among vulnerable populations

Hear directly from Dr. Coleman about how a chance encounter accompanying a roommate into the ER led him to grow into a seasoned nursing professional with experience in critical care, ER, administration, and psychiatric wards. Through past and present reflections, you'll learn how his engagement with the ANA Minority Fellowship Program offered key tools and mentorships along the way that aided in an acceptance into a fantastic postdoctoral program.

Discover eye-opening tidbits as Indrias and Dr. Coleman go back-and-forth on areas such as overcoming the layered bias of working as an African-American male in nursing and how rising in the ranks has impacted Dr. Coleman’s way forward in career choices, communication tools, and research topics.

Inside this episode's discussion, you’ll explore generational differences alongside shifting perceptions of men in nursing, ways the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the landscape of nursing for people of color, and Dr. Coleman’s insights into not just HIV/AIDS but also mental health challenges in African-American communities.

Don't miss Dr. Coleman’s observations from his book “Man Up! A Practical Guide for Men in Nursing” as well as his earnest beliefs on why staying steadfast with the ANA Minority Fellowship Program allows individuals to continue paying it forward to promote a legacy of producing scholars and leaders of color. To learn more about Dr. Christopher Coleman, visit https://www.iufw.edu/nursing/faculty-staff/christopher-coleman.html.