Collaborative Excellence

Yale’s Department of Surgery is committed to supporting the efforts of the Yale School of Medicine Office of Collaborative Excellence. Aligned with the “tripartite” mission of academic surgery, we will work thoughtfully and intentionally to ensure the equitable provision of care to all patients, to safeguard a healthy learning environment for all learners, and to pursue research endeavors with the totality of humanity in mind.

It is my honor to serve as Vice Chair of Education and Inclusive Excellence for the Department of Surgery. It is a role I embrace with responsibility, enthusiasm, and dedication. I am committed to advancing our department's mission of creating an environment where every individual feels valued and supported. As a leader in the health equity space, I hope to broaden the lens of our colleagues and facilitate the understanding that inclusivity is a marker of excellence.

In our department, our collaborative excellence efforts will amplify and extend culture change started by Dr. Nita Ahuja, Chair and William H. Carmalt Professor of Surgery, upon her appointment in 2018. I will work with the department Chair and the other Vice-Chairs to ensure transparent and equitable processes for recruitment, hiring, retention, promotion, and advancement of faculty and learners. We will evaluate our clinical practices with a focus on equity and access. Finally, we will expand our research portfolio in the space pertaining to surgical endeavors and inclusivity.

We will work tirelessly to help our department expand on the rich history of excellence and innovation that has been one of our defining characteristics for more than 200 years. We welcome all respectful thoughts and suggestions as we progress on our journey. We invite you to explore our webpage to learn more about our Departmental, School of Medicine, and University-wide efforts and initiatives.

— Paris Butler, MD, MPH, FACS
Vice Chair of Education and Inclusive Excellence
Associate Professor, Plastic Surgery