December is filled with religious and secular events, so starting this message with those acknowledgments feels appropriate.
- World AIDS Day was on Friday, December 1, and aims to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.
- December 3 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, highlighting the importance of an accessible workplace.
- Hanukkah began on Thursday, December 7. This eight-day celebration is observed by people of the Jewish faith and honors the rebuilding of the second temple in Jerusalem.
- Las Posadas is a religious observance celebrated in Mexico and Latin American countries from December 16 – December 24. This festival honors Mary and Joseph’s pilgrimage from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
- Winter Solstice, or Yule, is celebrated on December 22.
- Christians observe Christmas on Monday, December 25. This holiday honors the birth of Jesus.
- The seven-day festival of Kwanzaa honors the seven Kwanzaa principles. Kwanzaa runs from December 26 to January 1.
Looking back on 2023, I am proud of what we have accomplished together. Below are some updates for the remainder of 2023 and some events and projects to look forward to in 2024.
Recruitment
The Minority House Staff Organization held a recruitment virtual happy hour on December 7, 2023, for URiM candidates who interviewed with our GME programs.
We will hold an in-person Yale Diversity in the Healthcare Workforce Dinner event. We are excited to host the URiM applicants at the Omni Hotel on February 8, 2024. This event allows potential residents to meet leadership across Yale School of Medicine and Yale New Haven Health System. It provides us the opportunity to showcase Yale’s diverse and inclusive culture. Some of our GME programs will also schedule social events before and after the dinner.
Retention
Last month, we introduced the new URiM Physician Experience Mentoring Program for our URiM residents. Mentors and mentees have been connected and are starting to have their initial meetings. Thank you everyone for your participation.
In January, we will administer our Department of Medicine Inclusive Climate Survey for all staff and faculty. This survey will capture the department's inclusion climate and staff and faculty's mentorship and sponsorship experiences.
ODEIM Tools
We have collected DEI activity data from DEI champions at Yale and other academic medical centers nationwide. We will use this information to create a streamlined iteration of the DEI Productivity Calculator, which has garnered much interest inside and outside Yale. I will present our initiative and initial findings to Yale’s Office of Academic & Professional Development in the spring of 2024. I hope to be able to integrate faculty DEI efforts into the appointments and promotion evaluation process at Yale.
On December 1, Sarah Ngongi-Wumba sent invitations to join one of several working groups within the Office of DEI in Medicine (ODEIM). The working groups allow us to collaboratively address important issues impacting our work community and climate. We are hosting a working group meeting and information session on Monday, December 18, at noon in Fitkin Auditorium. If you want to participate or learn more, please complete the form at this link.
Upcoming Talks
Our November Equity Begins with Everyone (EBE) gathering with Lydia Aoun-Barakat, MD, and Rebecca Cardone, MSc, was very interactive. Our EBE events are growing; thank you to everyone who attended. We will hold our next EBE gathering on January 15. Our guest speakers will be announced closer to the date when the flyers go out. Please RSVP at this Qualtrics link.
I will be speaking at faculty meetings in the Sections of Geriatrics, Nephrology, and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine to share ODEIM’s strategic plan in December and January, respectively. I will also participate in a February DEI retreat for the Section of General Internal Medicine.
Additionally, I've been invited to give a talk to the Yale Minority Organization for Retention and Expansion (MORE). My talk will outline the scope of the URiM problem nationwide and locally and initiatives at Yale to diversify our healthcare workforce.
I am committed to supporting and expanding DEI efforts within the Department of Internal Medicine; please join me. Equity begins with everyone. Together, we strive. Together, we rise.
Respectfully Yours,
Benjamin Mba, MBBS, MRCP (UK), CHCQM, FACP
Vice Chair, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Department of Internal Medicine
Graduate Medical Education Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale School of Medicine