Under the direction of the department's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, the UAB Department of Surgery has developed a number of tools to support diversity among faculty and trainees, including establishing and maintaining:
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Film screenings
Each quarter, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee hosts a screening of a film that encourages attendees to consider diverse voices and perspectives. After each screening, a discussion is lead by a moderator, and all who attend are encouraged to participate. The screenings can be challenging, moving, and rewarding as we work together to dispel bias. In the past, the committee has screened Just Mercy, PBS' Asian Americans, and Picture a Scientist.
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Journal club
The committee hosts regular Journal Club virtual events, where attendees are invited to join the discussion on a particular piece of peer-reviewed research. Often, the discussion is accompanied by a demonstration of the making of a cultural cocktail or mocktail for those interested.
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Lectures and events
Yearly lectures and events such as the department’s annual Diversity Grand Rounds, Women in Surgery Lectureship and networking reception, and the UAB Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., Visiting Professorship.
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Research training initiatives
Ongoing research training initiatives for high school, undergraduate and medical school students such as the Department of Surgery’s Pre-College Research Internship for Students from Minority Backgrounds, Surgery Undergraduate Research Experience and Short-Term Research Experiences Advancing Medical Students programs.
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Awards and scholarships
Awards and scholarships for women medical students and medical students from underrepresented backgrounds such as the Mary T. Hawn Award for Outstanding Woman Medical Student and the UAB Visiting Elective Scholarship.
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Clerkship and observership programs
Clerkship and observership programs that recruit trainees from historically black medical schools such as Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee and international residency programs such as the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion in Mexico City, Mexico.
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Communications initiatives
Communications initiatives that promote gender inclusivity, such as our annual UAB Women in Surgery Sound-off - a UAB Surgery News series featuring Q&As with the department’s women faculty in honor of Women in Medicine Month - and our widely shared contribution to the New Yorker OR Cover Challenge, a social media trend in which women surgeons recreated an April 2017 New Yorker cover that pictured an illustration of four women preparing to perform surgery in an OR.
Tools
This wheel, developed by the UAB Department of Surgery Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee reminds us that there are many facets to diversity.
Core Identifiers
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Age
This identity is about how people are categorized by society’s perceptions of different age groups. For example, college students may be referred to as “kids” despite technically being adults and may be dismissed because of assumptions about this group’s maturity level and capability. Older adults may also be discriminated against in employment or may be treated as children as they age.
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Race
The notion of race is a social construct designed to divide people into groups ranked as superior and inferior. Although race has no genetic or scientific basis, the concept of race is important and consequential. Societies use race to establish and justify systems of power, privilege, disenfranchisement, and oppression.
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Sexual Orientation
A person’s sexual, emotional, romantic, and/or affectional attractions, not necessarily dependent on behavior. Examples of identities include: heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, queer and many more.
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Physical/Mental Ability
This identity is about the diverse array of differences in physical, mental, cognitive, developmental, learning, and/or emotional make-up. It also includes mental health and the impact of social experiences such as trauma and surviving abuse.
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Ethnicity
Ethnicity identity is defined in terms of culture, language and country of origin. This relates to a person or to a large group of people who share a national, cultural, and/or linguistic heritage, whether or not they reside in their countries of origin.
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Gender
A person’s deep seated felt sense of who they are. Gender is different from sex in that sex is generally identified with one’s anatomy. Examples of gender include cisgender, transgender, nonbinary gender identity, genderqueer, and many more. Because of these varying gender identities, individuals may identify with a variety of gender pronouns that cannot be known by looking at someone (such as she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, and many more pronouns).
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Nationality
Nationality identity is the identifier expressed by the individual’s country of origin.
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Socioeconomic status
This category is commonly conceptualized as one’s social standing in society based on income, wealth or poverty. It is often used interchangeably with social class, but social class includes additional factors such as a combination of education, income, occupation, lifestyle and family background.
Additional Identifiers
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Healthcare System
A health system consists of all organizations, people and actions whose primary intent is to promote, restore or maintain health. This includes efforts to influence determinants of health as well as more direct health-improving activities. Those with well-organized and maintained health systems who have better access to healthcare and insurance may have better health than those in regions with health disparities exacerbated by a weak healthcare system.
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Communication Style
The way that individuals communicate has been formed and adapted throughout their own life experiences. Those with different communication styles might find it difficult to work together, so it is important to learn about and respect different styles of communication.
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Social Networks
A social network is a network of social interactions and personal relationships. Those who individuals choose to surround themselves with often have a large impact on their self-identity. It is important to be intentional about a social network, as it can become homogenous in one or more factors of identity.
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Regional Racial History
Those from cities embroiled in a historically racist or segregated past might have had a completely different experience than those who were raised in or inhabit a region without a past in mistreatment of underrepresented groups. For instance, Birmingham, Alabama was a cornerstone in the Civil Rights Movement and many historic moments happened in the city, state and region. Visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute website.
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Citizenship/Native Language
A great source of pride, where one was born and/or holds citizenship can have a large effect on our self-identity. Those whose first language was not English might face some discrimination or at the very least, a more difficult experience as a bi-lingual speaker. Others might experience more opportunities for speaking two or more languages and having dual citizenship.
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Job Level & Workplace Involvement
Often, the hierarchy of an office environment impacts individuals’ identities. Those with higher-level jobs might see themselves as more accomplished or on a different playing field than those who are beginning in entry-level positions. Additionally, there might be workplace divides across specializations, departments and divisions. Some might overcome this bias by participating committees or initiative in the workplace that bring together employees of all levels.
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Geographic Location
The locations that individuals are raised in, move to or currently live in have an effect on identity, even if the location was a temporary move. Those with more experience in rural settings may have different life experiences and views that shaped them than those that have spent much of their life in an urban setting. Many cities have their own flavor- or identity- and individuals might have great pride for their hometown or current city location. Even if a temporary location, that place probably had an effect on identity.
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Military Experience
Military experience is a life-changing category of identity. Soldiers that have served find their identity in their branch of military, service tours and or/the group of soldiers that they served with. Those without military experience might find pride in supporting soldiers by recognizing patriotic holidays, such as Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Others find great pride in having a family member that has served and uphold the legacy of that family member.
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Political Views
As political parties continue to trend toward increase polarization, more and more Americans find their identity within their own political party and political beliefs as a republican, democrat or independent. Exercising civic duties, such as voting or supporting city fundraisers, is way that some chose to construct their identity, sharing with others that they are politically and civically involved.
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Lifestyle Habits
Lifestyle habits- such as smoking, drinking, diet, exercise and sleep – are separated into healthy and unhealthy habits. These habits effect mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health. Typically, individuals tend to only broadcast their healthier lifestyle habits, although unhealthy lifestyle habits also have an effect on inner and outer identity. Those with healthy lifestyle habits tend to have longer lifespans and a more improved mood, in addition to other physical and mental benefits.
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Family/Work life
A work-life balance is generally highly sought after, and individuals might take pride in their identity as someone with a great balance. Others may find their identity as someone who puts work before everything else an inseparable part of their identity.
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Marital Status
Typically, in American culture, those who are married are viewed more favorably than those who are single or divorced. Unfortunately, the stigma of divorce, though improved over a few generations, still exists. For some, being married can be a pinnacle goal of self-identity.
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Religious Beliefs
This is a powerful source of identity for many. This identity category relates to a person’s or a group’s beliefs about the existence of God or gods and/or an identification with a particular religion or set of spiritual practices. For example, a person may identify with one of the major world religions, and/or as agnostic, spiritual, atheist, and many more.
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Parental Status
Many feel that being a parent is one of the greatest accomplishments of life, and becoming a parent certainly has an effect on the way that individuals view and interact with the world. Those that are not parents, either by choice or not, may at times feel left out of parenting groups or discussions in the workplace. Additionally, many find their identity in the status of their own parents, whether they are still involved in their life or not, deceased, divorced or some combinations of these.
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Thinking Styles
Diversity of thought is very powerful, if understood and respected. Most individuals think a bit differently from their neighbor. Thinking styles are solidified throughout one’s life experiences, and often, individuals use past experiences to make decisions for the present and the future.
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Work Background
Previous roles and positions may have affected the accumulated knowledge and experience that one has. More experiences often lead to a well-rounded job candidate and a more robust resume. Certain work backgrounds are required for more advanced positions.
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Varying levels education can influence an individual’s identity. Many find great pride in their degree-awarding institution. Levels of education can often have an effect on socioeconomic status, as bachelors, masters or doctorate degrees are required for many professions.