June brings the summer solstice. . .
Recruitment
As we prepare to onboard hundreds of new GME trainees to Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) and Yale School of Medicine (YSM), let's reflect on our successful recruitment season. Across all residency programs within the Department of Medicine, our intern class comprises at least 31% who identify as underrepresented in medicine (URiM), a 35% increase from last year's intern class, which comprised 23% who identify as URiM. Across all the school and hospital programs, our incoming intern class will include at least 28% URiM individuals. As we get to know our new interns, we will likely encounter more individuals identifying as URiM beyond the ERAS data.
The YSM and YNHH GME Office, in collaboration with the Minority Housestaff Organization, held our first-ever virtual tristate recruitment fair on May 23. This event was not just a platform to connect with potential candidates but also a testament to our collective dedication to advancing diversity and inclusion. We look forward to this fair's positive impact on our recruitment efforts.
A highlight on our calendar is the National Medical Association (NMA) Conference in New York from August 4 - 7. We will focus on faculty recruitment and showcase positions across all clinical departments and Yale's excellent medical education training opportunities. Our participation is a collaborative endeavor spearheaded by the YSM Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Internal Medicine (ODEIM), and the YSM and Yale New Haven Hospital Graduate Medical Education DEI Office, underscoring our collective commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Retention
Our Department of Medicine Inclusion Climate Survey, a vital tool for gauging and enhancing our department's inclusivity, has closed with a commendable 40% completion rate, reflecting the importance our community places on this issue. The data from this survey, being analyzed by ODEIM in collaboration with The Barthwell Group, will be instrumental in our ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity. We will share key findings before the end of July. The preliminary data will guide the discussion and strategizing at the Department of Medicine Mentorship and Sponsorship retreat on Wednesday, June 12.
We aim to standardize the faculty mentorship experience and foster a culture of career sponsorship within the department. The survey has identified areas of improvement, and we are committed to addressing them.
During the YSM Medical Education Day on June 6, Beverly Sheares, MD, MS, and l held a workshop titled “Practical Strategies for Incorporating Anti-Racism into Your Educational Practice.” We had a large audience comprising medical education faculty, professionals, and students. The large audience underscores Yale's medical education community's commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion. I want to acknowledge the help and support we received from the faculty and staff at the Center for Medical Education. Special thanks to Linda Sarro, Dorothy DeBernado, Sara Guastello, Allison Rentfro, PhD, Edward Schaeffer, MA, and John Encandela, PhD. Additionally, I would like to thank our workshop co-creators, Isabel Bazan, MD; Thilan Wijesekera, MD, MHS; and Douglas Shenson, MD, MPH.
Recognition
Congratulations to Fabiola Molina, MD, MHS, on receiving the Hamolsky Junior Faculty Scientific Presentation Award for her project/presentation, "Health System Efforts to Address Race in Clinical Algorithms: A Qualitative Study of Hospital Leaders' Perspectives." The award was presented at the national meeting of the Society of General Internal Medicine in May.
ODEIM Tools
We are discussing with the OAPD how best to integrate the DEI Productivity Calculator into the CV2 and FDAQ process for faculty. We hope to pilot this within the medicine department for the 2024-2025 academic year. The calculator is a tool that enhances the academic review process by integrating DEI-related efforts by faculty into the evaluation process.
Upcoming Talks
Don’t miss our next Equity Begins with Everyone (EBE) gathering on Monday, June 17, at noon in Fitkin Auditorium and on Zoom. We highly encourage in-person attendance. Susan Rogers, MD, a guest speaker, will lead a discussion on racial medicine and racism-driven socio-economic guard railing for minorities and how this contributes to health inequities. Rogers is the immediate past president of the Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP). She received her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed her residency at Cook County Hospital with an additional year as chief resident. She previously was the medical director of the Near North Health Service Corp, a federally qualified health center in Chicago. A longtime advocate of healthcare justice and racial equity, Rogers has testified before Congress and spoken to medical and community audiences nationwide. We will continue our theme of sourcing food from different parts of the world for the EBE gathering.
Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19 to recognize the end of slavery in the U.S. Belonging at Yale has events to commemorate the day. Visit their website for more information. Pride celebrations also continue through the end of the month. Belonging at Yale also has Pride resources on its website.
Below are other secular and religious events during June with links to learn more:
- June 2: Indian Citizenship Act of 1924
- June 12: Loving Day
- June 12-13: Shavuot
- June 14-19: The Hajj
- June 17-20: Eid-al-Adha
- June 21: Litha
If you haven’t participated in our monthly column, “Voices of DEI,” please consider doing so. These columns are featured on the Internal Medicine website and social media channels. If you wish to be a featured voice of DEI, please complete the survey using this link.
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
Benjamin Mba, MBBS, MRCP (UK), CHCQM, FACP
Vice Chair, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Department of Internal Medicine
Graduate Medical Education Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Associate Designated Institutional Official for Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale School of Medicine.
Pronouns: He/Him/His