Diversity and inclusion are of the utmost importance to the Department of Medicine
President Ana Mari Cauce recently wrote a blog "We need reasoned debate on affirmative action, not mockery" about affirmative action and if, where and how it should be practiced.
Mission
The Department of Medicine at the University of Washington is committed to increasing the recruitment, retention and advancement of faculty, fellows and residents from groups under-represented in medicine as well as to promote an inclusive environment across the department.
Faculty development
The department currently has a robust faculty mentoring program and we plan to increase our underrepresented minority (URM) retention by developing a minority faculty mentoring program. Mentoring is an essential element for faculty career advancement in academic medicine.
A strong mentoring relationship contributes to academic success, productivity, and career satisfaction. Despite the known benefits of mentoring, the lack of mentoring remains a persistent problem in academic medicine, particularly in faculty from URM.
Given that URM faculty are promoted at lower rates, and report lower career satisfaction, the need for a dynamic mentoring program is even greater for junior URM faculty members.
Beverly Torok-Storb awarded minority faculty mentoring award
This award recognizes the need for excellence in mentoring of under-represented faculty groups to achieve diversity and inclusion, key elements that can unleash creativity and innovation so that we can meet the health care needs of our region.
Recruitment
All members of Department of Medicine search committees participate in Equity, Access, and Inclusion in Hiring training on best practices regarding faculty candidate outreach, assessment, recruitment and retention.
Visiting Scholars Program
The Visiting Scholars Program (VSP), started in 2015, is a funded program designed to give students with a diverse background a chance to experience the training that the University of Washington Department of Medicine has to offer.
"I was interested in the UW because of its mission for serving underserved populations, as well as its track record for educational achievement."
-Christopher Ghiathi, first visiting scholar
Faculty spotlight: Bessie Young
Bessie Young, Associate Chair for Diversity and Inclusion, is committed to diversity efforts in the Department of Medicine.