Improving Diversity and Inclusion in GI

A TEAM Approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Gastroenterology and Hepatology

“…This trend is mirrored in the GI workforce, where racial/ethnic parity in the field is far from realized. 8 A 2021 New England Journal of Medicine special report analyzing 4 decades of data from the AAMC on the gender, race, and ethnicity of the national medical student body found that despite considerable gains toward gender parity, only meager strides in diversifying the URIM female national medical student body were observed, and an actual decline in Black male medical students has occurred between 1978 and 2019. 9 Workforce inequity persists at the academic faculty level.…”

“…The Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists Board of Directors includes Valerie Antoine-Gustave, 1 Adjoa Anyane-Yeboa, 2 Rotonya M. Carr, 3 Darrell M. Gray, II, 4 Alexandra Guillaume, 5 Ugonna Iroku, 6,7 Rachel B. Issaka, 8 and Folasade P. May 9,10 ; from the 1 New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York; 2 Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; 3 University of Washington, Division of Gastroenterology, Seattle, Washington; 4 Anthem, Inc, Hanover, MD; 5 Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York; 6 New York Gastroenterology Associates, New York, New York; 7 Department of…”

How to Navigate National Societal Organizations for Leadership Development and Academic Promotion: A Guide for Trainees and Young Faculty

“…In a recent article on racial disparities in medicine, several steps were proposed to make progress in improving diversity and inclusion, from creating and supporting pipeline programs at early education stages to encouraging mentorship and sponsorship to ultimately cultivating a diverse model within the leadership hierarchy. 11 Initiatives, such as the AGA Women's Leadership Conference, the AGA Women's Committee Luncheon, the AGA Diversity Committee, and the newly formed Diversity & Inclusion Committee of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation provide valuable opportunities for women and URMs to network, develop leadership skills and navigate institutional challenges in order to achieve equitable representation in leadership. Despite significant medical advances in the field of transplantation, further work is needed in this space to help close the leadership gap.…”

COVID-19 and Social Determinants of Health in Gastroenterology and Hepatology

“…Although not the primary focus of the study by Ge et al, 6 the race and ethnicity–related findings presented as ancillary analyses are not only worthy of their own attention, but also provide an opportunity to highlight the following newer initiatives in our field that work to advance workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion and health equity: The Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists, 19 , 20 a newly founded nonprofit organization created to promote health equity in Black communities, enrich the pipeline, and develop careers of Black gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and scientists. The American College of Gastroenterology and the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition’s #DiversityinGI social media campaign 21 and programming and initiatives emanating from it, as well as the American College of Gastroenterology Institute for Clinical Research and Education’s Health Equity Research Award. The American Gastroenterological Association’s Equity Project and FORWARD (Fostering Opportunities Resulting in Workforce and Research Diversity) program 22 The American Association of Liver Diseases’ 2021 call to action to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion.…”

“…The American College of Gastroenterology and the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition’s #DiversityinGI social media campaign 21 and programming and initiatives emanating from it, as well as the American College of Gastroenterology Institute for Clinical Research and Education’s Health Equity Research Award.…”