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Diversity and Inclusion at Temple EM

We aspire to a residency that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We recognize we have a long way to go to achieve this goal, but we are listening, learning and working to do better.

 

And our aim doesn’t stop at representation. We are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment for our residents and promoting equitable care for our patients and the community we serve. We want to ensure the trainees we recruit are supported so that they can thrive at Temple! Residency program research, education and service are informed by the principles of solidarity and social justice.

Some of Our Initiatives Include:

Recruitment

  • A revamped holistic application screening process focused on finding candidates that are most aligned with the mission of Temple

  • Inclusion of structured interview questions in our interview process

  • EM faculty created and led the institution-wide Temple GME Showcase for Applicants who are underrepresented in medicine, which spurred the creation of an institutional GME DEI subcommittee

  • Our overall percentage of residents who are URM increased from 8 to 24% over the past three years

 

Education

  • Development of a structural competency series in resident didactics which features community experts

  • Kicking off intern orientation the past three years with a panel of experts from community-based organizations in North Philadelphia

  • Discussion of bias in evaluation at the Clinical Competency Committee

  • Faculty training on LGBTQ Affirming Practices. In addition, some faculty have completed additional coursework to have this special designation on their Temple Health profile. (bit.ly/3kZqU9y)

  • EM faculty and residents created a Redlining Primer as part of orientation for all incoming residents and fellows

  • EM faculty led the Our Words Matter Campaign across the institution to decrease stigma and bias in clinical communication

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Support

  • Temple EM led the development of a citywide affinity group for URM residents from local EM programs to build community through fun social events

  • Funding is available for residents who are URM to attend professional development opportunities like conferences and leadership training

  • There is a welcome event and leadership seminar series specifically for house staff who are URM sponsored by GME and the LKSOM Office of Health Equity Diversity and Inclusion (OHEDI)

  • Robust EM faculty advising and mentorship

  • Monthly diversity dialogues hosted by OHEDI

  • Our department Chair developed and championed the disruptive conduct pathway for the health system, which provides a mechanism for safe reporting of harassment or discrimination

  • Residents and faculty can take classes with the LKSOM Center for Urban Bioethics. (bit.ly/32c8qvf)

 

Culture

  • Many of our residents, faculty and other team members are involved in projects to advance health equity for our patients. See our Social EM page for more information.

  • Our department developed a dedicated leadership position for Director of Health Equity and Community Engagement, which is currently held by one of our APDs.

  • One faculty member holds a dual appointment with our Center for Urban Bioethics and has been a leader in social EM initiatives like voter registration and healthcare disparities research.

  • Opportunities for additional projects and partnerships focused on social justice and health equity abound!

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