We continue efforts to prepare for the fall 2021 semester, which marks the return of the Yale Visiting Program for Students Underrepresented in Medicine (YVPSUM), delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fall, we will host five medical students for four weeks in an immersive clinical experience. These underrepresented in medicine students will interact with clinical and research faculty, medical students, and residents along with Department and Residency program leadership. They will also take part in Yale and New Haven community activities and other social engagements. I am very pleased that we could bring this program back to campus. You can learn more details about the program on the website.
Debuting in the fall 2021 is the new Race, Bias, and Advocacy in Medicine (RBAM) Distinction Pathway. The creation of former chief residents Jana Christian, MD, and Rachel Schrier, MD, the new pathway offers residents comprehensive curriculum, arming PGY-2 residents with tools to understand, combat, and reflect on racism and structural / cultural bias experienced through the healthcare system, medical education, and physician practice. In addition, residents will partner with the greater New Haven community to better understand disparities in access, intensity, and quality of healthcare and improve healthcare delivery. RBAM is co-directed by Aba Black, MD, MHS; and Stephen Holt, MD, MS, FACP.
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Internal Medicine (ODEIM) continues to build out the diversity website with important resources and updates. Please visit it at https://medicine.yale.edu/intmed/diversity/ and let us know of any feedback.
For this month’s “Voices of DEI” we highlight Leslie Douglas-Churchwell, MD. You can read this column on the website and via social media. I hope you enjoy it! If you wish to participate, complete the survey at this link.
Please contact me with any questions regarding the department’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Diversity Committee, and/or ODEIM. As always, thank you for all you do to make Yale a better place.
Sincerely,
Inginia Genao, MD, FACP
Associate Chair, Diversity & Inclusion