In this insightful Q&A, NCS editorial staff dives into a conversation with Ebonye Green, DNP, APRN, FNCS, who will be presenting “Examining Perceptions of Racism in Healthcare: A Survey-Based Study in an Urban Hospital's Intensive Care Unit” at the upcoming NCS Annual Conference. The conversation previews key findings from her study on racism perceptions among ICU healthcare professionals and explores the educational strategies that helped shift those perceptions. Green also shares her views on current trends in addressing bias, the future of equity in neurocritical care, and advice for conference attendees looking to make the most of their experience.

Note: Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Q: Can you give us an overview of the key takeaways from your presentation on perceptions of racism in healthcare?

A: Absolutely. My session is part of a panel discussion, but my portion focuses specifically on the perceptions of racism among healthcare professionals in an intensive care setting. This includes both licensed and unlicensed professionals working in a neuro ICU of a level one trauma center. The study involves around 250 employees, and attendees will get a glimpse of how we developed this study—from proposing the idea, getting IRB approval, and obtaining consent from healthcare providers, to rolling out an educational intervention and conducting a survey.

We’ll cover how the perceptions of these employees shifted over time, based on pre- and post-educational surveys. It's a compact presentation, designed to respect the time constraints and duties of these professionals, while also ensuring the content is engaging and impactful.

Q: What trends are currently shaping how racism and bias are addressed in healthcare, and how does your presentation address these?

A: Many healthcare organizations are tackling these issues at a broad level, often with large-scale DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. What my presentation brings to light is how focusing on smaller units—like our 30-bed neuro ICU—can create meaningful change. We found that providing bite-sized, easily digestible education, particularly when it’s delivered electronically and fits into people’s existing schedules, can be highly effective.

Instead of rolling out a mass education initiative for all 10,000 employees in a facility, we concentrated on a tight-knit group of 250 professionals who have worked together for several years. This smaller, more focused approach allowed for tailored, impactful education that could easily be replicated in other units. The content was distributed via email over several weeks, with resources available for those who wanted to dive deeper into specific topics.

Q: How do you envision equity in neurocritical care evolving over the next 5 to 10 years?

A: Neurocritical care is already an international field, which means we're exposed to diverse experiences that many national societies don't encounter. As we continue to adapt and expand our educational offerings, we're translating more resources into different languages and making them accessible worldwide. A traumatic brain injury, for example, is the same regardless of where it occurs, but the care available can vary dramatically.

I foresee the Neurocritical Care Society leading the way in making these educational resources more accessible, particularly through advancements in technology, such as AI and simulations. Over the next decade, I expect we’ll continue to refine and distribute these tools to healthcare providers globally, enabling them to offer high-quality care even in low-resource settings.

Q: What are the biggest challenges professionals face in addressing racism and bias in healthcare today, and how will attending this conference help them overcome these challenges?

A: One of the biggest challenges is the underreporting of instances where patients feel they were not given the best care due to racial or cultural misunderstandings. In my session, I’ll explore the critical issue of racism in healthcare, particularly in an intensive care setting. Attendees will learn about a low-cost intervention I implemented that significantly changed the perceptions of racism among healthcare workers.

The goal is to equip attendees with strategies and solutions that can be implemented in their own organizations. By addressing racism and bias head-on, we can foster a more inclusive environment for both staff and patients, ultimately improving the quality of care provided.

Q: What advice would you give to individuals starting their careers in neurocritical care? How can they make the most of their experience at the conference?

A: I always recommend attending the New Members mingle—it’s a great way to meet people and find your community within NCS. The society has groups for pharmacists, advanced practice providers, fellows, and more, so there's always a place for you. I also encourage people to attend the keynote sessions and hear from both the outgoing and incoming presidents. You’d be surprised by how approachable and eager to help the pillars of neurocritical care are.

Following NCS on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and Facebook is another great way to stay connected and up to date with announcements and opportunities. And if you see me around the conference, feel free to stop me and say hello—I’d be happy to chat or attend a session together!

Q: Any closing thoughts for our readers?

A: I’m looking forward to meeting new people at this year’s conference in San Diego. NCS has done a great job integrating outdoor activities into the schedule, so whether you’re into yoga, jogging, or hiking, there will be opportunities to get outside. It’s not your typical conference where you’re stuck inside all day. It's well-rounded, and I think everyone will get a lot out of it.

Click below to register for the NCS Annual Conference, October 14-17 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego in San Diego, California, and join Ebonye Green as she shares her groundbreaking study on perceptions of racism in healthcare and how targeted educational interventions can drive meaningful change.