Collaborative Excellence

Benjamin Mba, MBBS, Vice Chair, Collaborative Excellence

The Department of Internal Medicine recognizes that talent is universal. The Office for Collaborative Exclellence in Medicine (OCEIM) strives for excellence driven by different perspectives, interests, philosophies, backgrounds, and lived experiences. Individuals, teams, departments, and organizations that integrate inclusive excellence perform at higher levels across leadership, research, education, innovation, community and societal engagement, and clinical care delivery domains. Inclusive excellence creates a sum greater than its components. The department fosters a learning and collaborative environment wherein everyone is respected, belongs, and can attain their highest potential.

An anonymous survey was administered to all department staff and faculty in January 2024 to identify and address areas of concern relevant to inclusion and belonging. The survey had a 40 percent response rate, and results were shared with the department in July 2024. A post-survey climate action plan was developed for each section to address section-specific issues with leadership.

OCEIM has created an Inclusion Activity Scale, a tool that helps capture faculty activities geared toward fostering inclusive excellence. This tool can be used by faculty for professional development. OCEIM used the tool as part of a nationwide study from November 2023 to April 2025.

The initiative was presented internally to Yale’s Office of Academic and Professional Development (OAPD) in the spring of 2024 and nationally at the March 2024 national meeting of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Group on Diversity and Inclusion (GDI). It was also presented at a national webinar of the AAMC Group on Faculty Affairs in October 2024 and at the National Webinar of the Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education Medical Professions Group in December 2024.

The EBE monthly discussions, presented by one faculty member and one staff person, are an eclectic mix of personal experiences, interactive training, and research and policy discussions. All are invited.

Outreach and recruitment continued throughout the end of 2023 and 2024 to showcase many of YSM’s residency training opportunities and inclusive culture. Events and fairs attended included the Student National Medical Association (SNMA)’s Annual Medical Education Conference (AMEC) in New Orleans; the Latino Medical Student Association National (LMSA) National Conference in Los Angeles; the Meharry Medical College Recruitment Day in Nashville; and a career-in-medicine event at Howard University College in Washington, D.C.

In addition to showcasing trainee opportunities, a group of 10 faculty members attended the National Medical Association (NMA) conference to promote 70+ open faculty positions across several clinical departments at Yale.

YSM also held several virtual recruitment events, including the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair, the Yale Virtual URiM Fellowship Recruitment Fair for candidates interested in Medicine and Pediatric fellowships, and the first-ever virtual tristate recruitment event in partnership with YSM and YNHH.

The department awarded five visiting student elective scholarships to final-year medical students from Wayne State University, Oklahoma State University, Brown University, Rowan University, and Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Across all residency programs within the Department of Medicine, the 2024 intern class comprised at least 31 percent who identify as groups historically underrepresented in medicine and science, a 35 percent increase from last year’s intern class.

OCEIM hosted several retreats and workshops.

In June 2024, the Mentorship and Sponsorship retreat for senior faculty and section chiefs aimed to help enhance and standardize the mentorship experience, incorporate the Faculty Development Annual Questionnaire (FDAQ) process and cultivate a culture of career sponsorship within the department.

Aba Black, MD, MHS, led ODEIM’s retreat at the Blake Hotel, which provided department sections with strategies for developing and sustaining curricula that promote an inclusive learning and work climate.

In September 2024, the Department of Internal Medicine hosted the “Advancing Health Equity: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond” summit. Over 70 panelists, facilitators, and participants from across the country convened in New Haven to discuss strategies for advancing health equity nationwide.

The event consisted of three panel discussions and Q&A sessions with health care leaders from different institutions and medical centers. The panel topics included health equity models for health systems and academic medical centers, safety net health care system models to advance health equity, and the COVID-19 response model at Yale. Each panel presented tangible strategies and innovative ideas to increase health care access and quality, reduce health disparities, and develop communities.

The department plans to host further health equity events with new and emerging themes.