Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are our core values, encompassing inclusiveness, mutual respect, and multiple perspectives.

We are mindful of all aspects of human identity including socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, spiritual practice, geography, ability, and age.

Inclusion

Inclusion is a critical element for successfully achieving diversity. Our objective is to create a milieu that fosters belonging, respect, and value for all and encourages engagement and connection throughout the institution. Inclusion is achieved by nurturing the climate and culture of the program through professional development, education, policy, and practice.

UW NURF Table

Climate

We believe that diversity enhances the educational climate and that educational outcomes are directly improved as a result. Moreover, we believe that the constantly changing demographics locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally make it imperative that the program create a workforce for the future that is capable of understanding, communicating and providing service to individuals from diverse backgrounds. In this way, diversity enhances creativity and thoughtfulness in our patient care and scholarship, and serves as a catalyst for change ultimately resulting in greater health care equity and a reduction in health care disparities. This eventually leads to better solutions to the healthcare needs of the populations we serve.

UW Residents at the Healthcare Workers for Justice March, June 2020 — Healthcare Workers for Justice March-Seattle, June 2020

Curriculum

Our program is committed to delivering curriculum for all our trainees that emphasizes the structural determinants of health affecting our patients. Structural determinants of health are the foundation of healthcare inequities and a cause of health disparities experienced by patients. The Health Equity, Advocacy & Anti-Racism (HEAAR) curriculum is a comprehensive, multi-tiered, and inter-professional thread embedded into the residency program.

Redlining walking tour of Seattle's Central District — Residents on walking tour of redlining in Seattle's Central District - 2023

For the future

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our housestaff and our faculty for years to come, ensuring the success of our trainees who come from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine, and educating all of our residents on the inequities that diverse patients continue to experience.