Diversity in the IM Residency Program

IM residents and faculty with SNMA students for Unity Day 2018

The Department of Medicine at the University of Virginia recognizes the great importance of increasing diversity and achieving equity at all levels of its organization — residents, fellows, and faculty. We also recognize that we have to continuously work to reach this end and work together to recognize bias and inequity at all levels of patient care, education and leadership. We are committed to accomplishing these goals and strive for an inclusive and supportive training and mentoring experience for all housestaff. We believe strongly that a diverse residency program provides better care and teaching for our patients and learners, encourages empathy and compassion, and is essential for achieving equity and excellence in medicine and public health.

Program goals

• To build and maintain a culture of diversity and inclusion
• To recognize and address bias and inequity at all levels of patient care, education and leadership
• To create open spaces to discuss racial inequities and social injustice ​locally and nationally

Distinct features of our program

• Longitudinal training in topics such as antiracism, structural racism, and unconscious bias for all residents during +1 outpatient week
• Health disparities, social determinants of health, and health policy are regularly incorporated each year in resident noon conferences and in Department of Medicine Grand Rounds
• All residents are trained in addressing situations related to bias and discrimination
• Dedicated rotations such as Community Partnered Medicine, focused on real-world experiences in social determinants of health (Charlottesville Free Clinic, Haven homeless mobile clinic, home visit, rural community health center, Legal Aid and Justice)
  

  White Coats for Black Lives on UVA Grounds June 2020

The UVA GME Housestaff Council for Diversity & Inclusion (HCDI) provides amazing leadership across our institution organizing innovative and impactful educational efforts, mentorship programs, community service, social events and organizational change. Click here to read more about UVA HCDI! Follow UVA HCDI on Instagram (uva.hcdi) or Twitter (@uvahcdi).

Creating and maintaining a climate of diversity and inclusion are priorities at the School of Medicine and, in particular, in the Department of Medicine. We recognize that diversity is an essential component in our efforts to continue, and to expand upon, the traditions of excellence in the School and the Department. The Department of Medicine was the first in the School of Medicine to require all of its faculty to participate in unconscious bias training, starting with those faculty members involved in housestaff recruiting. That training has now been extended to the School of Medicine, with almost 1,000 individuals trained so far in an ongoing endeavor. The Department also piloted a new health disparities curriculum in 2015 for all IM housestaff.

– Gregory Townsend, MD

Dr. Max Luna is the Vice Chair for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement in the Department of Medicine. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine. He trained at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala, University of Cincinnati, and at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His research interests include preventive cardiology, cardiac imaging, and outcomes research both locally and abroad. He leads the UVA Latino Health Initiative that hosts “La Clinica Latina” nights at the Charlottesville Free Clinic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has been a vital part of community COVID-19 screening events in Charlottesville.

Dr. Taison Bell is the Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs and Director of the UVA Summer Medical Leadership Program and one of our most decorated and incredible educators. He is an Assistant Professor in both the Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at UVA. He trained at Columbia University, Massachusetts General Hospital​, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the NIH. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has been regularly on the frontlines in the ICU, provided clinical trial leadership, and has been recognized as a leading voice locally and nationally in education and advocacy around health disparities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Diversity at the University of Virginia
• Diversity at UVA School of Medicine
• Diversity and UVA Graduate Medical Education