11/04/2025
As we look forward to and plan our Year 2 adventures (from now until September 2026), we think it’s important to revisit the past year’s activities, starting with Deaf Strong Hospital (DSH) which was hosted on Friday, August 22nd this year.
DSH is an annual, immersive role-reversal event hosted by the NCDHR with members of our local Deaf communities. First-year medical students become the patients, and members of the Rochester Deaf communities become doctors, nurses, and provider staff, communicating only in American Sign Language (ASL). These photos provide a brief snapshot of the role-reversal exercise; when not in the exercise, students received a lecture on Deaf Culture and the Deaf Experience in Healthcare from URMC’s Dr. Carolyn Stern.
To learn more or become involved with future events, contact the NCDHR Team at NCDHR@urmc.rochester.edu
DSH album (9 photos, descriptions)
Photo 1: This is the entrance to our Deaf Strong Hospital event within Flaum Atrium at the Medical Center. There is a sign placed on the back of rows of chairs in what appears to be a waiting room. Some students are seated in the middle; some are waiting in line towards the right. A sign with texts “Welcome to Deaf Strong Hospital, founded 1998 by PAH MD (Promoting Awareness in Healthcare, Medical and Deaf- Rochester Chapter), followed by the NCDHR (National Center for Deaf Health Research) logo and information: www.urmc.edu/ncdhr, ncdhr@urmc.rochester.edu, VP 585-285-2776. The University of Rochester Medical Center insignia is in the bottom right corner.
Photo 2: Actors (two women wearing black shirts) interacting with a medical student, the student is wearing a white long-sleeved top with pink vest and clear glasses, the student appears to be signing in ASL, the letter “F” or number “9.” Signs behind the three people read “Waiting Area: Doctor’s Offices” and a few students are seated in the foreground. In the background, to the far right, another line is formed (in an opposing direction).
Photo 3: A ‘Receptionists’ Waiting Room’ environment during Deaf Strong Hospital with several people, predominantly young adults (students). The students are interacting with two older women and one older man that are staffing the table (DSH Actors, receptionists). In the background, signs reading "Doctor's Office," "No Voice," and "Waiting Area" are posted to assist with direction and communication during the event.
Photo 4: NCDHR staff, Earl Allen, wearing a black t-shirt, interacts with a student during the exercise, both are seated at a table and appear to be reading/preparing for their discussion. There is a privacy screen behind the student to emphasize privacy during their “Doctor’s Office” visit.
Photo 5: Four people seated at a table, on the left NCDHR staff, Kelly Matthews, and community actor (woman) are both wearing DSH black t-shirts and interacting with two students on the right. One student is wearing a light blue top with dark hair in a ponytail, they are facing the actor and appear to be signing the letter “O” or number “zero” or implying “none.” The second student is wearing a black top with white pinstripes and appears to be explaining that ‘being tired’ is one of her symptoms. (Cannot see clearly but this student is leaned into the right with their head resting on both hands.)
Photo 6: A large group of diverse students are gathered in a waiting room. The students are all dressed casually and have assigned stickers; the stickers are yellow or blue (squares on the chest). Students can be seen lining up and seated in front of a table with three DSH Actors (and service providers) wearing black t-shirts.
Photo 7: This a similar, yet alternate view of Photo 6. There are now 4 DSH Actors with black shirts sitting and standing behind a table, students are lining up and interacting with those at the table.
Photo 8: A group photograph of our actors, taken from an elevated angle looking down into the Flaum Atrium. All in the photo are wearing black T-shirts with light lettering reading "DEAF STRONG HOSPITAL 2025" and a smaller line underneath specifying "University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry." The group is diverse, with individuals composed of a range of ages, genders, and ethnicities. In the background, the Flaum Atrium is set up for the Deaf Strong Hospital event, complete with tables, chairs, and privacy screens.
Photo 9 is another group photo of Actors wearing black t-shirts with a logo that includes the words "Deaf Strong Hospital 2025" and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry logo. Many individuals are making silly faces and using playful hand gestures, including some variations of the "I love you" sign in ASL. The background shows tables, chairs, and privacy curtains which demonstrate the Deaf Strong Hospital event set-up.
