Daniel L. Blash, Ph.D., vice dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion and main diversity serviceman for the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2022. He was 54.
“Dr. Blash’s bequest astatine the School of Medicine is heavy and lasting,” said Christine K. Jacobs, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for aesculapian affairs. “His professionalism, collegiality and committedness to inclusion volition beryllium remembered by each who crossed paths with him, arsenic the phrase, ‘You beryllium here,’ permeated his each interaction.”
Daniel Blash, Ph.D.
Dr. Blash joined the SLU School of Medicine successful January 2019. His galore accomplishments included:
- Development of a four-part diverseness grooming bid for aesculapian schoolhouse departments
- Creation of a Diversity Council of faculty, unit and students
- Revision of assistance offerings for students underrepresented successful medicine
- Outreach to HBCUs to usher students connected strategies for preparing for aesculapian school
- Expansion of pre-matriculation and summertime scholars programs
Under Dr. Blash’s leadership, the aesculapian school’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion partnered with clergy leaders of each denominational backgrounds to build nationalist assurance to successfully vaccinate the region’s divers community. During the pandemic, the Office hosted Community Response Education webinars featuring leading SLU researchers and experts, including sessions successful Spanish and sessions for faith-based organizations featuring section clergy.
“Dr. Blash was passionate astir his relation and his accidental to foster, nurture, and make a civilization and situation of belonging for everyone wrong the School of Medicine,” Dr. Jacobs said, adding that his interaction connected the schoolhouse was significant.
Before joining Saint Louis University, Dr. Blash served arsenic the adjunct dean of diversity and inclusion astatine Washington University's School of Medicine. Prior to that, helium served arsenic a prof and module counsellor astatine Southwestern Illinois College successful East St. Louis, Ill., and Urshan College successful Florissant, Mo. During his career, helium besides held adjunct module appointments astatine SLU, the University of Missouri – St. Louis, Webster University and Wilson University, an apostolic Pentecostal university.
A licensed and board-certified counsellor and objective supervisor, Dr. Blash founded Blash Counseling Associates successful Old North St. Louis to assistance span the spread between intelligence wellness and immoderate of St. Louis’ underrepresented number communities. Also in Old North St. Louis, helium founded Fresh Anointing Apostolic Church, wherever helium served arsenic pastor until his passing. Additionally, helium was a decorated combat U.S. Army veteran who served successful Desert Storm.
Born successful Benton Harbor, Mich., Dr. Blash earned a bachelor’s grade successful science from Missouri S&T successful 1995; a master’s grade successful counseling from Lincoln University successful Jefferson City, Mo., successful 1998; and a Ph.D. successful acquisition with an accent successful counseling from UMSL successful 2010. His doctoral probe focused connected the relation of religion and spirituality among underrepresented minorities successful the world environment.
A Celebration of Life work begins astatine 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, astatine the Sanctuary United Pentecostal Church, 965 Anglum Rd., successful Hazelwood, Mo. Refreshments volition follow.
RSVP for the Dr. Daniel L. Blash Celebration of Life
Dr. Blash is survived by his wife, Annemarie, and his 5 children, Theresa, Christina, Daniel Jr., Angela and Joshua. He is besides survived by 2 sons-in-law, 2 grandchildren, Eden Adaora and Mariel, and galore different household and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the household has requested donations to a assistance astatine the SLU School of Medicine successful grant of Dr. Blash.
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