The month of December is a wonderful time to reflect on the year gone by. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Medicine (ODEIM) underwent a leadership change in the spring, and we were named as interim leaders. We have carried on the mission of the office and continued these monthly messages to update the department on ODEIM events and initiatives and to educate our readers on various observances within our department and the greater Yale communities.
While there have been some beautiful developments this year, there have also been many distressing events. Part of what makes our department and university a wonderful place to be is the patchwork of backgrounds and experiences that enrich the experience for all of us. Please know that ODEIM stands in solidarity with any group that is marginalized and is available as a resource and a support for anyone. Our doors are always open.
December is a busy month for different holidays! Jewish people observe Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights. Starting at sundown on Sunday, December 18 this year, a candle is lit and added to the menorah each evening during the eight-day celebration that commemorates the rebuilding of the second temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE. Christians celebrate Christmas on Sunday, December 25, to commemorate the day Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem. Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 to January 1. Each day, the family lights a candle in the kinara, and discusses one of the principles of the observance, unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
The candidate interviews for the vice chair, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) role have been completed. It has been a pleasure to meet and work alongside such wonderful candidates. The committee has a tough choice on their hands, but we are confident that we will have a wonderful individual chosen as the next leader of ODEIM.
If there are questions about any Department of Medicine DEI initiatives, or an issue pertaining to DEI across the department for faculty, trainees, or staff, please contact Vandana. If you are a DEI vice chief and have a question or concern, please contact Aba. For GME-related DEI questions, please contact Steve Huot.
For this month’s “Voices of DEI,” we highlight Heidi Zapata, MD, PhD. She values diversity because it recognizes “that each flower is individual and beautiful and accepting the individuality and beauty.” You can read this column on the website and via social media. If you wish to participate as a featured voice of DEI and we welcome all to do so, please complete the survey at this link.
We are excited to partner with each of you on DEI initiatives.
Best wishes,
Vandana Khungar, MD, MSc (Interim Associate Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)
Vice Chief for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | Digestive Diseases
Associate Professor of Medicine
Aba Black, MD, MHS (Interim Associate Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)
Vice Chief for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | General Internal Medicine
Assistant Professor of Medicine