Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Mission Statement

The UAB Pediatrics Residency Program is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Residents bring unique perspectives to our residency community. Our residents are diverse by race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, religion, age, geography, and other life experiences. We treasure this diversity. We believe that working alongside people from diverse backgrounds enriches the team and creates opportunities for increasing our empathy and understanding, embracing our similarities, and celebrating our differences.

We oppose all discrimination. We value ongoing education and growth in understanding the roles of racism and bias in our lives, and we encourage and support one another in personal and community change.

Our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is helping us to train exemplary pediatricians, ones who understand and celebrate the value of every child.

Underrepresented in Medicine Senior Scholarship Program

Fostering an inclusive environment that values differing perspectives and experiences is essential to the mission of the Heersink School of Medicine located in Birmingham. In line with this mission, the Department of Pediatrics (DOP) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), with support of UAB’s Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs (ODMA), is eager to announce that applications are now being accepted for the Underrepresented in Medicine Senior Scholarship Program for Pediatrics. The DOP feels strongly that promotion of cultural diversity and equal opportunity enhances learning opportunities and leads to improved patient care.

The Underrepresented in Medicine Senior Scholarship Program provides funding for visiting medical students to participate in four-week clinical rotations in the DOP located at Children’s of Alabama. The DOP’s goal is to improve awareness of and accessibility to training opportunities in Pediatrics at UAB amongst medical students of diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds. Students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine, including African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American, in addition to students whose backgrounds may bring a unique dimension to our training program are encouraged to apply.

Click here for more information and to apply to the program.

Educating Residents about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our program leadership and the Pediatric Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council have identified valuable educational opportunities to promote diversity awareness, cultural competence and health equity and incorporated these into the residency curriculum.

Our robust Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) curriculum includes:

Quarterly pediatric resident noon conferences and discussions focusing on DEI topics (e.g. implicit bias, micro-aggressions, social determinants of health, systemic racism) that are led by UAB Department of Pediatrics DEI faculty
UAB Department of Pediatrics Grand Rounds lectures focusing on DEI topics by guests lecturers from UAB and around the United States
Frequent Health Disparities Morning Report discussions
In-person and online simulations focusing on recognition and understanding social determinants of health and healthcare equity
Social injustice small group discussion led by a DEI Council member during Injury Prevention/Child Advocacy week
Social Determinants of Health Journal Club during Adolescent Medicine rotation
Birmingham Civil Rights Tour with co-residents to learn about Birmingham’s role in the Civil Rights movement and path forward to create a more inclusive local and national community

During the events, our residents are empowered to facilitate change by participating in local community and residency advocacy projects including mentoring, health fairs, and school presentations in our Birmingham City Schools.

Health Equity Scholars Program

Residents interested in and committed to identifying health disparities and working towards health equity will be given the opportunity to apply to this program. This structured pathway will include additional lectures, small group discussions, simulations, and local and regional experiences. This program is expected to launch in July 2021.

Pediatric Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council

The Pediatric Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council aims to increase recruitment and retention of underrepresented in medicine (URiM) pediatric residents, fellows, and faculty, promote opportunities for mentorship amongst UAB medical students, pediatric residents, fellows, faculty, and staff, and foster a culture of diversity, inclusion and cultural responsiveness amongst pediatric residents, fellows, faculty, patients, and other healthcare providers.

Activities of the Council include recruitment informational sessions and post-interview question and answer sessions for underrepresented in medicine residency candidates, diversity education, departmental constituent groups, and pipeline activities.