The Collective is the newsletter of the UMKC School of Medicine Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
The Collective – September-October 2020
The Collective – December 2020
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Welcome
The School of Medicine believes that a vibrant and diverse institutional climate is essential to the medical education and work environment, both promoting a culture of inclusion and the ability to effectively deliver healthcare in diverse communities. A diverse learning and work environment should include, but not be limited to, community members from different racial and ethnic origins, socioeconomic backgrounds, rural and urban communities, geographic origins, sexual orientation, religious backgrounds, and academic backgrounds. It should also include both men and women who can contribute to the medical education community through different personal experiences, such as overcoming hardship, demonstrating involvement within the community, possessing multilingual abilities, and/or exhibiting different life experiences that may contribute to achieving a diverse and inclusive environment.
The School of Medicine established an office of diversity in October 1980. Since its inception, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion has worked closely with students, faculty and staff to develop and promote programs and initiatives that support an inclusive environment. The goals of the office include:
- Promote policies, initiatives and resources that build an environment and community of success for all students, faculty, and staff, including those underrepresented in medicine.
- Increase the diversity of our faculty, staff and student population through recruitment, retention and development activities.
- Strengthen connections between the School of Medicine and the community in which it serves through service learning, research and/or other opportunities for collaboration.
- Encourage initiatives that promote cultural competency in teaching, learning and healthcare delivery.
Equity & Access
The UMKC School of Medicine adheres to all policies and procedures adopted and approved by the University of Missouri system and the University of Missouri – Kansas City. UMKC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, military status, veteran status, in admissions, educational programs or activities and employment. The University complies with all federal and state laws and University of Missouri System policy regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the State of Missouri Human Rights Act Chapter 213 RSMO.
Any person who feels they have been discriminated against or who have inquiries regarding this institution’s compliance with the foregoing regulations may contact the UMKC Office of Affirmative Action at 816-235-1771. Additional resources are also available:
Division of Diversity and Inclusion
You may also contact the School of Medicine Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 816-235-1780.
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Welcome
The School of Medicine believes that a vibrant and diverse institutional climate is essential to the medical education and work environment, both promoting a culture of inclusion and the ability to effectively deliver healthcare in diverse communities. A diverse learning and work environment should include, but not be limited to, community members from different racial and ethnic origins, socioeconomic backgrounds, rural and urban communities, geographic origins, sexual orientation, religious backgrounds, and academic backgrounds. It should also include both men and women who can contribute to the medical education community through different personal experiences, such as overcoming hardship, demonstrating involvement within the community, possessing multilingual abilities, and/or exhibiting different life experiences that may contribute to achieving a diverse and inclusive environment.
The School of Medicine established an office of diversity in October 1980. Since its inception, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion has worked closely with students, faculty and staff to develop and promote programs and initiatives that support an inclusive environment. The goals of the office include:
- Promote policies, initiatives and resources that build an environment and community of success for all students, faculty, and staff, including those underrepresented in medicine.
- Increase the diversity of our faculty, staff and student population through recruitment, retention and development activities.
- Strengthen connections between the School of Medicine and the community in which it serves through service learning, research and/or other opportunities for collaboration.
- Encourage initiatives that promote cultural competency in teaching, learning and healthcare delivery.
Equity & Access
The UMKC School of Medicine adheres to all policies and procedures adopted and approved by the University of Missouri system and the University of Missouri – Kansas City. UMKC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, military status, veteran status, in admissions, educational programs or activities and employment. The University complies with all federal and state laws and University of Missouri System policy regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the State of Missouri Human Rights Act Chapter 213 RSMO.
Any person who feels they have been discriminated against or who have inquiries regarding this institution’s compliance with the foregoing regulations may contact the UMKC Office of Affirmative Action at 816-235-1771. Additional resources are also available:
Division of Diversity and Inclusion
You may also contact the School of Medicine Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 816-235-1780.
Staff
Meet the members of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
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Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
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Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
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Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Initiatives |
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Associate Dean for the Learning Environment |
Trainees/Residents and Fellows
U.N.I.T.E.D.
Uniting Numerous medIcal Trainees for Equity and Diversity
Mission Statement
“We are a trainee advisory group that aims to foster and develop relationships across specialties, as well as advocate for diversity among all UMKC and CMH residency and fellowship programs. Through planning and hosting social events and educational workshops, we aim to bring people from all backgrounds together, to inspire collaboration and support the exchange of ideas on how to make UMKC a more diverse, welcoming, and inclusive workspace for all.”
Currently Seeking New Members for 2020-2021 Academic Year
Register Here
(1-2 representative openings per program)
Register Here
(1-2 representative openings per program)
Leadership
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Rachel McCommon, MA.Ed. UNITED Advisor and Creator |
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Zuri Hudson, MD CMH Pediatrics Resident |
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Shanice Robinson, MD UMKC Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident |
Current 2020-2021 Membership
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Seenu Abraham, MD UMKC Family Medicine Resident |
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Rebecca Aguayo, MD UMKC Family Medicine Resident |
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Jwan Alallaf, MD UMKC Pathology Resident |
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Sarah Alshami, MD UMKC Internal Medicine Resident |
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Sara Anderson, MD UMKC Psychiatry & Arts and Medicine Resident |
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Darius Blanding, MD CMH Pediatrics Resident |
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Bianca Cherestal, MD CMH Pediatric Cardiology Fellow |
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Allison Drummond, MD UMKC Ophthalmology Resident |
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Abigail Halleron, MD UMKC Emergency Medicine Chief Resident |
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Seba Hasan, MD UMKC Critical Care Medicine Fellow
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Vittal Hejjaji, MD UMKC Cardiology Fellow
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Hiba Ibad, MD UMKC Orthopedic Surgery Resident
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Traci Johnson, MD UMKC Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellow
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Nate LaVoy, MD CMH Pediatric Critical Care Fellow
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Johana Mejias-Beck, MD UMKC Pediatric Medicine Resident |
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Sindhuja Palle, MD UMKC Internal Medicine Resident
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Sha’Ray Shaw, MD UMKC Neurology Resident
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“Being a part of UNITED has shown me that UMKC really values diversity and through the support of its administration, we can make a sustainable change to our program. This has been very gratifying.”
“The UNITED community has given me a sense of pride, a family within residency outside of my program; it has given me courage, a voice and refuge to speak my mind and share ideas and advocate!”
Uniting Numerous medIcal Trainees for Equity and Diversity (UNITED) is a residency and fellowship advisory group founded in 2019 from the spirit and need of residents and fellows across the Hospital Hill campus who recognized the need for creating safe spaces to develop community and build relationships among under-represented in medicine (UIM) physicians. UIM physicians are not limited to racial and ethnic identities, but also include those identifying as LGBTQIA+, numerous religious faiths and beliefs, diverse geographical locations, and varying ability levels.
The goal is to develop and foster relationships across medical specialties while advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion among residency and fellowship programs. Through social events and educational workshops, we aim to bring together people from different backgrounds to inspire collaboration and support the exchange of ideas on how to make our graduate medical education programs more diverse, welcoming, and inclusive workspaces for all. Training programs affiliated with UMKC School of Medicine are different, but all strive to create a learning environment that prepares physicians to care for a global community of patients.
“This [UNITED] provides a way to connect with our colleagues that are simply across the street.”
UNITED provides a platform bringing residents and fellows together in the exchange of ideas to diversify their respective training program. UNITED gives trainees a safe space outside of clinical responsibilities to harness their passion for advocacy, community engagement, and providing excellent medical care to patients while serving as ambassadors of their respective UMKC School of Medicine training program. Group members strive to improve the health of patients and Greater Kansas City communities through education about health care disparities and social determinants of health while increasing awareness about diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“It [UNITED] has made me feel less alone, knowing that there are other people who are committed to this and understand the challenges that come with being a minority trainee.”
Protected: Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Three-Year Roadmap
Key Time Periods and Action Items
The SOM Diversity Council developed a number of action items to implement a three-year Diversity Strategic Plan. Closely aligned with the SOM Strategic Plan and UMKC Diversity Strategic Plan, the initial 31 action items were developed to improve the living, learning, and working environment of faculty, staff, residents, students and especially those in underrepresented communities. This is a living document that will grow and evolve over time.
Status Key: Completed On time Timeline shifted Project restructured
Year 1: Spring 2018 to Summer 2019
Year 2: Fall 2019 to Summer 2020
Year 3: Fall 2020 to Summer 2021
Resources
UMKC School of Medicine
- UMKC Diversity Strategic Action Plan 02-10-13 (Draft)
- Advancing the Health of Our Community through Diversity and Inclusion
- Guideline Regarding Religious Holidays and Practices (Nov.9, 2015)
- Sojourner Clinic
UMKC Resources
State & National Resources
Contact Us
Who we are & Where we are
Tyler Smith, M.D., M.P.H.
Associate Dean, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
816-235-1780
Email: smithtk@umkc.edu
Office: M1-109 Medical School
Doris Agwu, M.P.H.
Assistant Dean, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Email: doris.c.agwu@umkc.edu
Rachel McCommon, M.A. Ed.
Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
816-235-6251
Email: mccommonr@umkc.edu
Office: M3-225 Medical School
Diana Dark, M.D.
Associate Dean for the Learning Environment
816-932-3408
Email: ddark@saintlukeskc.org
UMKC School of Medicine
2411 Holmes Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
STAHR LEADERSHIP – Ambassadors and Scholars
STAHR Director
Scott Guerrero / 816-235-1813 | guerreros@umkc.edu
STAHR Manager
Tamica L. Lige / 816-235-6169 | liget@umkc.edu
STAHR Coordinator
Madi Smith / 816-235-1813 / madisonsmith@umkc.edu
Summer Scholars Program
Zumi Urueta / 816-235-1954 / uruetaz@umkc.edu
SMART Liaison for the School of Medicine
Rachel McCommon / 816-235-6251 / mccommonr@umkc.edu
Faculty Recruitment
UMKC School of Medicine recognizes that a diverse faculty is important to providing medical education that addresses the effective delivery of healthcare in diverse communities. We also understand that leadership, faculty members and search committees benefit from helpful tools and information to assist in the recruitment and selection process. We invite you to access the following resources:
- Interview Toolkit: A Resource for Search Committees
- Guidelines for Writing Letters of Recommendation
- Finding Top Talent: How to Search for Leaders in Academic Medicine
What You Don’t Know: The Science of Unconscious Bias and What To Do About it in the Search and Recruitment Process
There is overwhelming scientific evidence that unconscious bias may influence the evaluation and selection of candidates from entry-level to leadership positions in all types of organizations, including medical schools and teaching hospitals. This presentation, created for academic medicine audiences, is designed to acquaint search committees and others with this research as one step toward mitigating the effects of unconscious bias.
To learn more about unconscious bias and how it impacts search processes, access the AAMC-sponsored webinar, entitled “What You Don’t Know: The Science of Unconscious Bias and What To Do About it in the Search and Recruitment Process”.