Pediatric Residency Program celebrates cultural diversity
Response has been “overwhelming,” says a core member of the Diversity Coalition.
he USA Health Pediatric Residency Program has formed a new coalition to promote and celebrate cultural diversity, with the long-term goal of better connecting with patients from diverse backgrounds and ultimately improving the health of those patients.
At a recent dinner hosted by the new Pediatric Residency Diversity Coalition, attendees were encouraged to wear cultural attire and sample 18 dishes representing various cultures. The event drew more than 80 people and propelled the group’s core membership from about 10 to 30.
“The supportive response has been overwhelming,” said LaTasha Williams, one of the members and a pediatric residency program coordinator.
The organizers built upon ideas gleaned from their colleagues at a national meeting of the Association of Pediatric Program Directors. “It was absolutely eye-opening for us,” Williams said.
Williams and Myria Mack-Williams, M.D., associate program director for the pediatric residency program, returned home even more committed to increasing awareness of the importance of diversity and fostering a resident workforce that reflects the patient population. “We realized how many other programs were embracing diversity,” Mack-Williams said. “We decided to bloom where we’re planted.”
Franklin Trimm, M.D., a fellow pediatrician and associate dean of diversity and inclusion and assistant vice president for medical affairs at the USA College of Medicine, was among their mentors. He said that embracing diversity can help improve the health of patients. “We know from many sources that when providers look like the community they’re serving, there are better results in primary care, better outcomes and longevity,” Trimm said.
Recognizing such findings, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education implemented a more extensive requirement regarding diversity earlier this year. The common program requirements emphasize the “strength that a diverse group of physicians brings to medical care.” The guidelines require programs to engage in practices that recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce of residents, fellows, faculty and staff. They also require resident competence in respect and responsiveness to diverse patient populations.
Mack-Williams said she is encouraged by the momentum of the young coalition. “It shows me that many members of the USA pediatric staff and faculty recognize the importance of the issue of diversity and inclusion,” she said.
The group is planning a curriculum to cover topics such as unconscious bias, discrimination, healthcare disparities and other issues. It will be offered to residents, pediatric faculty and staff, Mack-Williams said.
The coalition’s mission statement says: “Our mission is to increase awareness of the importance of diversity. We understand that providing patients and families with excellent care requires us to address their physical, emotional and cultural needs; therefore, our mission is to recruit and support a resident workforce that reflects and fosters the differences of our patient population. We seek to reduce healthcare disparities and create a learning environment for our house staff that teaches culturally competent care.”
