Mona Fouad, M.D., senior associate dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, added to her current role on July 1 to serve as associate vice president of UAB's central Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI).
The expansion of Fouad's service will strengthen the connection between the UAB campus and UAB Medicine regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Fouad says there are three main components to this expanded version of her role: enhancing diversity recruitment, coordination between UAB and UAB Medicine, and increasing health equity efforts.
Fouad, a nationally recognized leader in health disparities, will work with ODEI to advance the goals of Live HealthSmart Alabama and develop a comprehensive plan to advocate for health and wellness throughout Alabama.
She will retain her role as senior associate dean for Diversity and Inclusion in the school. "Given her central role in UAB Heersink School of Medicine, the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center, and Live HealthSmart Alabama, as well as her national role in disparities research, Dr. Fouad is the right person to bring this added dimension to the work of the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion," said Anupam Agarwal, M.D., interim senior vice president of Medicine and interim dean of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
“We are eager to work with Dr. Fouad and elevate Live HealthSmart Alabama as part of our overall strategic effort,” said Paulette Patterson Dilworth, Ph.D., vice president for the UAB Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion. "This is the natural growth and evolution of a highly successful, interdisciplinary program into one that institutionalizes our shared values of diversity, equity, and inclusion."
“I am excited to expand our health disparities work and assist Dr. Dilworth and ODEI with the exceptional initiatives already underway,” said Fouad.
Fouad has played a prominent leadership role in several initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion throughout UAB Medicine as well as initiatives to make health care more accessible to the underserved. Fouad has also worked to promote diversity in medical education, recruit faculty from underrepresented populations and support their development as independent scientists.
Stay tuned for a Q&A next week with Dr. Fouad on her new role and her vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion at UAB.