Diversity and Inclusion

Our Internal Medicine Residency Program is committed to diversity, inclusion, equity and justice. We recognize that we have explicitly and implicitly condoned racism and that our actions have irreparably harmed every facet of life for the Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous community.

With the unfathomable and innumerable deaths of black men and women and black trans women, we understand the privilege we have as physicians to change structural racism. We recognize that becoming anti-racist starts with ourselves. We also recognize that healthcare stands at the intersection of the many other important aspects of life and that we can and need to make a difference.

Our institution has undergone an extensive review by the law firm Covington and Burling, LLP and has now provided a valuable guide on how to eliminate inequitable treatment, discrimination and harassment. An oversight committee has been established by OHSU and is co-chaired by Dr. Alisha Moreland-Capuia, an expert in trauma informed system change and faculty at Harvard Medical School and OHSU, and Michael Alexander, MSS, former president of the Urban League of Portland, vice president of the Port of Portland Commission and board chair for the Black United Fund. The committee will provide input in the decision making process of the Implementation Committee. Both committees were established to transform OHSU for the better. 

We will continue to drive forward as a program, department, and institution to end racism within and beyond our physical and emotional space. We will listen and work to end the intolerability of racism. 

    OHSU has a number of other initiatives as outlined here. As a residency program, we will continue our anti-racism work which include the following but are not limited to these:

    • We established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion resident-led committee who has partnered with On Track!, an OHSU group who works with Oregon middle and high schools to increase the number of students from underrepresented minority backgrounds in the health sciences.
    • Added diversity and social determinants of health learning into every noon report session
    • Continue our holistic approach to recruiting a diverse group of residents so that we may transform healthcare
    • Participate in University and GME led efforts to end racism at OHSU
    • Completed Upstander Intervention Training for all residents and faculty
    • Participate in a new initiative called Stepping in for Respect, a bystander intervention training to create a respectful and inclusive environment for all.
    • Funding the directorship of the Advocacy Program (Drs. Joel Burnett and Kelsi Manley) and to expand our advocacy curriculum
    • Continue to add anti-racism workshops into our residency related retreats
    • Seek new opportunities to engage with the broader community in volunteer opportunities; led by our Volunteer Committee under the IM Residency Council
    • Raise money for organizations who continue their work in dismantling racism
      • June 2021-Raised $4000 and June 2020-Raised $8000 for NxNE Clinic
      • A new initiative  is beginning in June 2022 to raise more money for NxNE clinic

    Embracing diversity, equity and inclusion gives us the power to be better at what we do, and allows us to demonstrate integrity, compassion and leadership.

    The OHSU Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), leads and supports the university-wide initiatives to create an environment of respect and inclusion for all people. The Center is dedicated to fostering partnerships to enhance OHSU's mission of healing, teaching, research and community services. With a range of resources and services, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion supports and empowers students, faculty and staff from all walks of life, including historically underrepresented populations.

    OHSU Diversity and Inclusion Awards
    CDI News

    Hear how members of the OHSU community value equity and inclusion, and are working toward increased engagement and culture change.

    Medical students create video to focus on racism in health care - 6/2020
    'As a medical community, we must speak out and break the stronghold of racial injustices'

    o    At OHSU and in our program, we have been on the journey to become anti-racist and are accelerating our efforts to do so.  The institution under the leadership of OHSU President, Dr. Danny Jacobs and numerous other invested individuals such as the Dean of the School of Medicine, Dr. David Jacoby, have initiated a number of changes:

    White Coats for Black Lives Matter

    2020 IM White Coats for Black Lives Matter event
    OHSU IM residents participating in the White Coats for Black Lives Matter event in Portland.

    North by Northeast Fundraiser

    IM - NxNE Fundraiser
    IM chiefs, co-residents, and faculty raise more than $4,000 for NxNE clinic to show support for Black community health.

    OHSU GME Virtual Diversity Open House

    The OHSU GME department will host a virtual open house for individuals from diverse backgrounds who are interested in any of our 93 post-graduate training programs.

    Register Here
     

    AAMC recognizes OHSU efforts to advance health care equity through telehealth and health technology

    Health care provider viewing their smart phone

    OHSU named an LGBTQ+Healthcare Equality Leader

    2022 Healthcare Equity Index
    OHSU received a perfect score of 100 in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's evaluation.

    Click on image to read the full article.
    2022 A Safety Net for Thousands