Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Our department holds as a core belief that everyone is respected and valued – it doesn’t matter where they’re from, what color their skin is, who they love, or how they experience faith.
We are stronger through our differences.
WELCOME FROM Our DIRECTOR OF DEI
As the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the MGH Department of Anesthesiology, I want to welcome you warmly as you explore our program.
Our department firmly believes that embracing diversity, championing equity, and fostering inclusion are pivotal to both our success and the holistic care of our patients.
We make every effort to ensure you have access to the information you need to help you make an informed decision on whether our program is a good fit for you.
Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Amy Du
MISSION
The Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council’s mission is to foster a culture of belonging for every member of our department and to continue to strive for healthcare equity for our patients and staff.
Examples of our commitment:
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Healthcare Equity: Residents have led initiatives to improve access to interpreter services for patients with limited English proficiency, supported by our DEI and Quality and Safety Improvement Councils.
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Diversity Recruitment: We engage diverse applicants through support for attending national medical conferences, facilitated by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.
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Workforce Inclusivity: Our DEI Council supports departmental cultural social events initiated by our members throughout the year to encourage cultural celebration and dialogue.
Initiatives
Community Outreach
Residents can participate in the HMS Medscience elective, an immersive biology course for local high school students. This elective provides an opportunity to engage with the Boston community and inspire future healthcare professionals.
Recruitment and Retention
Our department hosts virtual open houses for candidates underrepresented in medicine (UIM), women, and LGBTQIA+ applicants. A UIM contact list and DEI welcome emails ensure applicants have direct access to resources and support. Recruitment efforts also include attending national conferences, and we provide implicit bias resources to interviewers.
Cultural and Community Events
We celebrate diversity with cultural events like Hispanic Heritage Month, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Juneteenth, and more. These events foster inclusivity and community bonding within the department.
DEI Education and Training
Ongoing education includes lectures, workshops, and discussions on topics such as inequity in anesthesia care, microaggressions, and caring for patients with disabilities. Regular grand rounds and journal clubs also focus on relevant DEI issues, with contributions from both internal and external experts.
“Working with HMS Medscience was a wonderful way to pair my interests in teaching and working with local members of the Boston community. The students were so passionate about learning a wide array of topics from basic science to clinical care.”
“One of the best aspects of MGH Anesthesia is the program’s eagerness to support residents and their causes. During my PGY-2 year, the program helped me pilot a new Community Outreach initiative to inspire students from diverse backgrounds to explore medicine, aiming to increase diversity in the field.”
“My mom is Venezuelan, my dad is Iraqi, and I grew up in Indiana. I often felt caught between cultures and didn’t fully belong to any one group. That’s why being at MGH, where unique identities are celebrated and embraced, feels so meaningful.”
