Introducing Gerald Friedland, MD, of the Section of Infectious Diseases.
What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you personally?
Recognition of the long standing need for increased diversity, equity and inclusion in faculty, trainees and staff as a personal, professional and moral imperative to improving the health of our patients and community we serve and to create new knowledge to extend this to others. It also provides motivation to address this in a meaningful, sustained and collaborative manner. And the resources and action to successfully implement and to document needed changes among ourselves and colleagues and improved patient and community health outcomes.
Why do you value diversity?
I have grown up in and am part of a diverse family, worked and lived in varied communities and settings locally and globally and believe we are all enriched by diversity.
Why should an academic setting be equal and inclusive?
Academic settings should not be distinct from all other settings and should reflect the diversity in which they are a part. Creating new knowledge and training new generations in a globalized world requires academia to provide an equal and inclusive setting to be part of and fully contribute to the whole.
Why are you on the diversity committee?
This has been a central tenet of my personal and professional life and career. I cherish diversity, have long standing experience working with and for diverse communities and can make a contribution and I am still learning.
What changes have you noticed in the department?
Genuine and admirable and exciting affirmation of diversity within the department leadership and great interest and sensitivity to these issues among trainees.
The Department of Internal Medicine’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Internal Medicine knows that diversity, equity, and inclusion is critical to our mission; that providing a safe, welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds results in beneficial diversity of thought; and believes that having a diverse team enhances our ability to provide excellent clinical care, research, and medical education.