News

Year End Message from Adrienne Morgan, Ph.D.

Friday, December 23, 2022

On behalf of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, I want to wish you and your families peace during this holiday season. I also want to thank you for the ways you’ve partnered with us to help uplift one another. Whether you’ve attended a community circle, a day-long retreat, our education and learning workshops, or joined us for our inaugural Better Together conference—you’ve helped to advance our institutional goals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.  Now, more than ever, we need your allyship.

This year we’ve faced numerous challenges—from an increase in violent hate crimes, the murder of ten people at a supermarket in Buffalo and the overturning of Roe vs Wade. We know next year will bring challenges and opportunities of its own and I know we will, again, be a source of support, comfort, and advocacy for another.

I’m excited for the possibility of a new year. In February we will launch the start of our institution-wide anti-racism initiative called “Live the Six” which calls us to, “Stop Hate. End Racism. Choose L.O.V.E.” So many of you have said you wish to have the tools to make meaningful change and confront hate, racism, bias and microaggressions. Through education, Live the Six will offer us practical opportunities to Live Our Values Everywhere Every Day.

For these and many more reasons, we look, with hope, toward the new year. We also look forward to partnership with you to help us be “Ever Better.”

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year,

Adrienne Morgan, PhD 
Interim Chief Diversity Officer, University of Rochester 
Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, University of Rochester Medical Center

 

Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan: A Look Back at 2022

Monday, December 12, 2022

More than two years after the URMC Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan (EARAP) was made public, it has shown steady progress while adapting to new challenges and opportunities. Initially guided by five pillars, to build, recruit, nurture, exemplify, and engage in the work of being anti-racist, the plan is also led by a series of guiding principles:

• Expand diversity through academic and professional opportunities that attract and retain people from historically excluded groups.
• Cultivate a humble, responsive, and inclusive medical center culture where all can thrive.
• Achieve excellence in anti-racist, equitable and inclusive health care delivery, informed by cutting-edge science.

North Star

Adrienne Morgan, Ph.D., currently interim Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Rochester and Vice President of Equity and Inclusion, University of Rochester Medical Center, states that the EARAP’s “North Star” is a foundational understanding of the meaning of “anti-racism.”

“We are on a journey to become an anti-racist institution where everyone can thrive. This means that any minoritized group or oppressed group is supported through policies that reduce inequity,” she says.

The Year in Review

#LivetheSix

The murder of ten people in a racist attack a at supermarket in Buffalo, New York in May inspired the adoption of the phrase “Choose Love” by the Buffalo Bills football team. That sentiment spread throughout the region and has inspired the development of an institution-wide anti-racism initiative at the University of Rochester called “Live the Six.” It refers to the six-word phrase “Stop Hate, End Racism, Choose L.O.V.E.” The objective is to demonstrate, in one voice, that the University of Rochester stands against all forms of hatred and racism, in solidarity with those working tirelessly for a more compassionate world, and in steadfast resolve to Live Our Values Everywhere. Supported by an education campaign, bolstered by community engagement and in coordination with the University’s forthcoming Strategic Plan, Live the Six will be unveiled in early 2023 and include a toolkit, videos, and a social media campaign.

Education

In 2022, education to build an understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) was a major priority. It is the bedrock upon which measurable and accountable change is possible. This year the URMC OEI Education Division, led by Kyan Lynch, M.D., Associate Vice President for Education and Digital Innovation, and a team of dedicated learning specialists have conducted more than 220 individual DEIJ learning sessions across the Medical Center. Among the most requested topics is Unconscious Bias, Inclusive Space, Microaggression and Transgender and Gender Non-Confirming Care.

Better Together Conference

On October 14, 2022, the office held its inaugural conference, “Better Together: Equity, Anti-Racism, and a New Way Forward.” With more than 250 registrations and nearly 200 in-person and virtual attendees, the conference was a rare and robust opportunity for people from the University, Medical Center and Rochester community to gather and discuss DEIJ challenges and best practices. Featuring keynotes by Cecelia Gentili, transgender author, activist, and founder of Trans Equity Consulting, and Eliseo Perez-Stable, M.D., NIH Director of Minority Health and Health Disparities, the conference asked attendees to ponder the question, “What if?” and encouraged them to imagine what life would be like if equity was at the center of their work and they had all the tools they needed to be successful. Planning for next year’s conference is already underway.

21 Day AMRF/OEI Equity Challenge

Last February, the Association of Minority Residents and Fellows in partnership with the Office of Equity and Inclusion, led a month-long challenge to engage the URMC community in an open and safe environment to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion. The daily challenge consists of either reading, listening, and watching followed by learning, reflection, and action. The challenge was rolled out on a new website, www.URMCcelebrates.com, and reached more than 800 people, throughout the Rochester region and beyond, who signed up to receive daily reflection prompts.

Bridge Mentorship Program

New in 2022, the Bridge Mentorship Program was created to improve mentorship opportunities for learners from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine. Bridge addressed the persistent problem of inequitable mentorship opportunities. Existing student and trainee groups are matched with physician and/or research mentors and given support through the program to help the match grow. The program was initially piloted in the departments of Medicine, Neurology and Pediatrics and registered 272 mentors and saw 46 matches made. The program is currently facilitating new matches for 2023.

Priorities for 2023

Policy Equity Toolkit

Among the major priorities for 2023 is the creation of a Policy Equity Toolkit to help policymakers think about equity and inclusion on a deeper level at the very start of policy creation or during times of revision. The Policy Equity Tool Kit will lay out a process to guide the development, implementation and evaluation of policies, initiatives, programs, and budget. Much like the Faculty Recruitment Best Practices Toolkit, the goal is to create a model that can be used by others throughout the institution. Ellis K Consulting, a local minority/women-owned business enterprise (MWBE) is currently facilitating this effort.

Career Development Opportunities

As a response to learner and trainee feedback, we are offering new education and development opportunities on an institutional level for faculty and staff. We believe these offerings distinguish us from our peers at other institutions as they deepen awareness of the influence of racial and social justice movements in higher education. The micro-credential course “Inclusive Teaching for Equitable Learning” will be offered through the Association of College and University Educators. Three cohorts of faculty and staff will take part in the trainings in the spring. Among the topics covered are microaggressions, the impact of bias and addressing imposter syndrome.  

Each of the achievements, initiatives, and priorities of the Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan work together toward a larger goal of making our institution responsive to the needs of our staff, faculty, and learners and advancing the calls for diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in health care.

Statement on the Fatal Shootings at an LGTBQ+ Nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

We are profoundly saddened by the senseless murder of five people on Saturday at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Seventeen people were also injured in this shooting, which occurred minutes before the start of Transgender Day of Remembrance. As members of the University community, we mourn the loss of life and security where people once felt safe.

The grim reality is that racism, hate speech, and violence targeting members of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly against transgender and non-binary people, is on the rise. In the face of national rhetoric and political legislation endangering the fundamental human rights of LGBTQ+ people, we affirm the right of self-expression and self-determination for everyone. We are particularly devastated at violence that specifically targeted LGBTQ+ individuals in a club created for them to experience community, safety, and belonging.

The University of Rochester community must aspire to be a place that is safe and welcoming for people of all backgrounds and to be a place where the expression of one’s authenticity is met with acceptance and love.  Accordingly, we want to make clear that homophobia, transphobia, and all other bigotry against members of the LGBTQ+ community are not welcome here.  

Let us hold dear our humanity and hold space for one another. Here is a list of resources to help you process your thoughts and emotions: 

•    The University Counseling Center is hosting a virtual LGBTQ+ drop-in group today, Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at 4:00 p.m.  Counselors are also available by calling 585-275-3113. 

•    The Employee Assistance Program is also available to all employees and those in their household. 

Harvey Milk, the visionary civil and human rights leader said, “It takes no compromising to give people their rights. It takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no survey to remove repressions.” As we prepare to gather, give thanks, and enjoy the warmth of family and friends this week, we are called to embody inclusion and mutual respect. 

Meliora, 

Adrienne Morgan, PhD 
Interim Chief Diversity Officer, University of Rochester 
Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, University of Rochester Medical Center

John P. Cullen, PhD
Associate Director of the Susan B. Anthony Center, University of Rochester

Col Raimond, Ed.D., JD
Director of LGBTQ Life, Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center, University of Rochester

Lauren McKenna 
Associate Director of Volunteer Engagement & Programs, University of Rochester
 

Hispanic Heritage Month: Documentary Screening Recalls Historic Hospital Takeover and Fight For Healthcare Equity

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

A free screening of the documentary, Takeover, takes place Monday, October 3, 2022 at 6 p.m. at the Little Theatre in Rochester, New York. Takeover explores the twelve historic hours on July 14, 1970, in which fifty members of the Young Lords Party stormed the dilapidated Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx, drove out their administrative staff, barricaded entrances and windows, and made their cries for decent healthcare known to the world. Film director, Emma Francis-Snyder, and former Young Lord member, Cleo Silver, will join for a panel discussion after the screening.

Topics explored in the short film relate to the work of the Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan, especially the fifth goal to, “engage in equity as a health system by making care more accessible and reducing disparities through research, active listening, and collaboration with community partners.”

The URMC Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Department of Health Humanities and Bioethics are sponsoring the screening and panel discussion.

Sign Up Now: Theatre for Healthcare Equity Summer Learning Series

Monday, July 18, 2022

Theatre for Healthcare Equity addresses interactions between patients, providers, and staff through interactive theatre techniques. The playfulness of theater opens the door for participants to confront bias while cultivating empathy and practicing effective communication. There are two sessions:

• Tuesday, July 26, 2022 from 8 a.m.- 9 a.m. Topic: Gender in the Workplace. Location: 1-9525 & 1-9535 Combined Northeastern Room 
• Tuesday, August 23, 2022 from 8:00 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. Topic: Power Dynamics in Nursing. Location: TBD 

Class space is limited to 25 people. All are welcome but participants must register in advance and stay for the entire 60-minute session. 
To register, email Carli Gaughf, M.A., EDI Learning Specialist, URMC Office of Equity and Inclusion at carli_gaughf@urmc.rochester.edu.
 

URMC Office of Equity and Inclusion Statement on the Overturning of Roe vs. Wade

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

The fifth goal of the URMC Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan is to make health care more equitable and accessible, with a specific focus on reducing health disparities. We are deeply concerned that the recent Supreme Court decision overturning the constitutional right to abortion is in direct opposition to that aim.

Those seeking abortion are disproportionally likely to be people of color, low-income, and lacking equitable access to robust insurance coverage, high quality health care, and effective contraception. In addition, U.S. maternal and infant health outcomes for Black women and infants are the worst of any high-income country in the world, with Black women nearly three times more likely to die as a result of pregnancy and childbirth, and Black infants more than twice as likely to die in the first year of life. These grim realities aren’t due to biology, rather, they are the result of systemic racism. 

While those with resources have historically had more choice, and more access and control over their health and their family’s well-being, pregnant people who are already disenfranchised, including those who are poor, those who live in rural areas, and people of color, will be left to navigate complexities and their own difficult circumstances as they seek comprehensive care. Furthermore, we are concerned all areas of reproductive health care, not limited to abortion care, will become uncertain and difficult to navigate, resourced or not. 

For these and many more reasons, it is imperative that we continue the challenging and vital work of removing barriers to high quality, compassionate, culturally humble, and anti-racist health care. We are pleased that the University of Rochester Medical Center supports and will continue to provide reproductive health care services in accordance with core healthcare ethics principles and access to safe and legal pregnancy termination. Additionally, we know the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry is unwavering in its commitment to education and research in the areas of reproductive health. Future health care providers and scientists will continue being trained in a full spectrum of evidence-based sexual and reproductive health care.
 
We reaffirm President Sarah Mangelsdorf’s and URMC CEO Mark Taubman, M.D.'s joint statement that differences be expressed with respect and ask as we continue to navigate these complex issues, that we do so in a way that holds dear our commitment to health equity and justice. 

Call for “Tabletop Talk” proposals for the URMC OEI "Better Together: Equity, Anti-Racism, and a New Way Forward Conference"

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Do you have a burning question, topic or idea that needs an outlet? Do you wish to cultivate community around a concept? Host a “Tabletop Talk” at the Better Together: Equity, Anti-Racism, and a New Way Forward Conference on October 14, 2022. We’re looking for people with big ideas who want to host focused discussions at the conference on a diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) related topic. Tabletop discussions allow all participants a chance to weigh in on a subject and to consider their roles and responsibilities. A scribe will be assigned to each table to summarize the meeting. Submit your idea here by Friday, July 15. Email URMCOEI@urmc.rochester.edu with any questions. A committee will select the best ideas for presentation. We hope you can join us! 

Statement from Mark Taubman, MD, CEO, URMC and Adrienne Morgan, PhD, VP for Equity and Inclusion, URMC on Juneteenth

Friday, June 17, 2022

Juneteenth: Fulfilling the Promise

“Forever free.” This was the promise of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, yet they were just words. For enslaved men, women and children in the state of Texas, that freedom wouldn’t be realized until 1865. Why? Because words require action. 

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery for people in Texas and the beginning of the fulfillment of the proclamation’s promise. Today, more than a day off, the holiday gives us an opportunity to reflect and be inspired. Juneteenth set into motion the never-ending pursuit of Black excellence free from physical and emotional bondage. 

For us, living out its legacy means fulfilling our promises of anti-racism in healthcare. It echoes in the Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan, which is purposeful and public—ensuring accountability for those responsible for its creation and cultivation. 

We must keep our promises and keep up the momentum to attract and retain people historically excluded from medicine, cultivate a diverse, culturally humble and responsive medical center community, pursue excellence in anti-racist and inclusive healthcare delivery.

Juneteenth reminds us of the power of a promise and why being inclusive of that promise matters. The proclamation didn’t intend freedom for some of the enslaved—it was meant for all. Its supporters spread that message as far and wide as they could, while others worked to conceal it. But just as water seeks its own level, so did the promise eventually fall upon the ears of those men and women whose lives would be altered forever. Justice prevailed and that victory guides our actions today. 

We hope this Juneteenth you recall its promise and join us in the work that continues.

Poised for Pride: Strong Earns Healthcare Equality Designation

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Strong Memorial Hospital has again been named one of the nation's leaders in LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality initiatives by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). The Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) surveys healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees.
 
Strong earned the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader designation using survey criteria that include non-discrimination and staff training, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and patient and community engagement. Under HRC’s system, a facility needs to score 100 points to be designated an "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader." Facilities receive points for meeting specific requirements and by having a certain number of best practices and policies in place.
 
In the HRC survey, Strong was recognized—as in past years—for meeting criteria such as having a patient non-discrimination policy that includes the terms “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” providing equal visitation rights to LGBTQ+ patients and their loved ones, having an employment non-discrimination policy that is fully LGBTQ+ inclusive, and providing approved training in LGBTQ+ patient-centered care.
 
Everyone under the University of Rochester umbrella shares the responsibility of bolstering acts of inclusion and equity to protect the LGBTQ+ community and align with organizational values.
 
Jackie Beckerman, chief patient experience officer and senior director of the ICARE Commitment, recognizes just how critical it is to break down healthcare barriers for the LGBTQ+ community.
 
“Our goal, first and foremost, is to ensure that all patients receive high quality, compassionate, and equitable care—in an environment that feels respectful and safe for everyone,” she said. “Our LGBTQ+ patients face significant challenges in healthcare, and we need to provide a space where these individuals always feel safe and comfortable talking with their care team about all aspects of their lives. There is no place for discrimination or bias in this organization.”
 
Mark Taubman, M.D., URMC CEO and SMD dean, said being a model institution for equity is a crucial goal for the Medical Center. "As use of pronouns has taken hold, just by saying them you are demonstrating that you are sensitive to the issues of gender identity,” he said.
 
Taubman recognizes that earning an award or recognition—a designation in this case —doesn't mean the job is done.
 
"There's always more to do,” said Taubman. “We acknowledge the award as it tells us where the bar is. Our goal is not to hit the bar but be way above it. There are so many ways to make equity and inclusiveness attainable.”
 
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are often subject to discrimination in all spaces, including healthcare facilities.
 
“This often leads to avoiding care and anticipating their voices not being respected in an incredibly vulnerable environment,” said Tari Hanneman, director of Health & Aging at The Human Rights Campaign. “The Healthcare Equality Index, at its core, strives to ensure LGBTQ+ people are protected and affirmed by their healthcare providers and feel safe seeking services."
 
This designation, awarded at the end of March, ties in with Pride Month, celebrated throughout the nation during June. The Medical Center has made progress in the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals and is committed to continuing to work to protect those who have been marginalized.
 
"There are so many people who need love and support and help right now," said Timothy Wood, a UR Medicine patient and member of the transgender community, who said the University works to understand his needs. "Trusting in your healthcare system is key. I'm so grateful for the support I receive from my primary care doctor."
 
More than two decades ago, Wood began living secretly as a man, unable to reveal his true self to many of his friends and family members. He described years of feeling alienated and lonely.
 
It's patients like Wood, along with a diverse staff and faculty, that the Medical Center aims to protect. Being inclusive means that everyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ has a safe place.
 
"Our society is very binary, but we don't have to all fit in neatly, we're not under obligation to be a certain way," said Wood. "It's about respecting people's differences and lifestyles without making a big deal of it or overreacting."
 
 
 

Trauma Resources in Response to the Buffalo Mass Shooting

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

The recent racially motivated hate crime at the Tops supermarket in Buffalo New York in which the perpetrator targeted a Black community and has expressed white supremacy and anti-Semitic leanings has evoked a range of emotions and concerns of safety across the United States. In response to this event, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed resources to help children, families, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together. These resources include:

• Coping After Mass Violence
• For Teens: Coping After Mass Violence(En Español)
• Assisting Parents/Caregivers in Coping with Collective Traumas
• Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tips for Educators(En Español)
• Addressing Race and Trauma in the Classroom: A Resource for Educators
• Talking with Children about Hate Crimes and Anti-Semitism
• Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After Mass Violence
• Talking to Children about Mass Violence
• Teacher Guidelines for Helping Students after Mass Violence
• Psychological Impact of Mass Violence
• Racial Injustices and Trauma: African Americans in the US: NCTSN Position Statement
• Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers(En Español)
• Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)
• Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers(En Español)
• The Power of Parenting: How to Help Your Child After a Parent or Caregiver Dies
• After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal
• Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
• Once I Was Very Very Scared – children’s book for young children 
• Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing (En Español) (for responders)

Psychological First Aid and Skills for Psychological Recovery

The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFA; En Español). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. PFA Mobile and the PFA Wallet Card(En Español) provide a quick reminder of the core actions. The PFA online training course is also available on the NCTSN Learning Center. PFA Handouts include:

• Parent Tips for Helping Infants and Toddlers (En Español)
• Parent Tips for Helping Preschoolers (En Español)
• Parent Tips for Helping School-Age Children (En Español)
• Parent Tips for Helping Adolescents (En Español)

From the National Mass Violence and Victimization Resource Center

• Transcend (mobile app to assist with recovery after mass violence)
• Rebuild your Community: Resources for Community Leaders
• Media Guidelines for Homicide Family Survivors
• Timeline of Activities to Promote Mental Health Recovery
• Self-Help: Resources for Survivors
• E-learning Courses: Trainings for Clinicians
• Resources for Victim Assistance Professionals

From the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University

• Grief Leadership: Leadership in the Wake of Tragedy
• Leadership Communication: Anticipating and Responding to Stressful Events
• Coping with Stress Following a Mass Shooting

 Disaster Helpline

 SAMHSA has a Disaster Distress Helpline - call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.

 

 

Statement from Adrienne Morgan, PhD, URMC Vice President for Equity and Inclusion on the Mass Shooting in Buffalo, N.Y.

Sunday, May 15, 2022

The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Office of Equity and Inclusion extends its most sincere condolences to the families whose loved ones were killed in the mass shooting in Buffalo. Their deaths are a bitter reminder that the work of fighting racism must be a priority for all Americans, no matter their identity. The pandemic has taught us that what happens in one corner of the world can end up in our homes, in our schools, and, sadly, internalized in our very own bodies. The same holds true of the emotional and societal impact of racism and violence in the name of white supremacy; it stains the soul and depletes the reserves of those who actively work to be anti-racist. 

This tragedy puts the work of this office into sharper perspective. Confronting all forms of racism, bias, hatred and oppression is not only an imperative for this institution; it has implications for our entire community. We remain steadfast in our mission to serve as a powerful force for eliminating racism, division, and exclusion in our communities and beyond.

Our doors are open to anyone who wishes to join us in a path forward toward diversity, equity, inclusion and, now more than ever, justice. Whether you engage with us through our educational offerings, attend our events, or you stop into our office to connect in person, we are here to listen, comfort, and advocate. This is our pledge to you in these fractured and fraught times.

Meliora,

Adrienne Morgan, PhD

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Muslim Patients Can Now Observe Ramadan Fast

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

April is National Arab-American Heritage month and, for the first time, patients admitted to Strong Memorial Hospital, Golisano Children’s Hospital, Highland Hospital and UR Medicine affiliates can fast while observing Ramadan (April 2-May 2). Ramadan is a Muslim holy month designed for prayer and fasting. Muslims believe that Ramadan is meant to strengthen their relationship with God.

This change is the result of a quality improvement initiative involving second-year Internal Medicine and Med-Peds residents, Hayley Flanagan, M.D., Dean Salem, M.D., Hannah Doyle, M.D., and Jessica Oribabor, M.D., M.S. After learning that the current hospital meal ordering system did not adequately accommodate Muslim religious fasting needs, the four collaborated with Clinical Informatics, Clinical Nutrition Lead Kathryn Schneider, Food and Nutrition Services, and Strong hospitalists Jennifer Readlynn, M.D., Julia Trumbo, M.D., and Amy Blatt, M.D. to create a specific Ramadan dietary order-set, which is a set of directions for patient care. 

Dr. Readlynn recalls a time, two years ago, when a patient observing Ramadan left against medical advice because of a lack of full food service after sundown. "I reached out to some Food and Nutrition staff and initially we had a very small thing going. If a nurse was able to identify a patient observing Ramadan they could talk to the kitchen and they could set aside food that could be heated up by the nursing staff on the unit, but it was pretty small scale." She adds, "In speaking to our IDEA committee, Dr. Blatt and Dr. Trumbo really took it on."

The residents say they hope to increase the understanding of the social and spiritual needs within the Greater Rochester Region and foster a more inclusive environment for patients to practice their personal religious beliefs within URMC.

“I think what drew me to this particular project was that it addressed some of the cultural competency concerns and being able to support a more diverse healthcare system which is important to me as a minority physician,” says Jessica Oribabor, M.D., M.S., Internal Medicine PGY-2.

After ensuring a patient is physically well enough to observe Ramadan fasting, which goes from dusk until dawn, providers can enter information into eRecord which will trigger a workflow that ensures that meals for patients observing Ramadan are delivered to units at the latest possible evening delivery time for dinners. It will also ensure that breakfasts are delivered the evening before so that patients can access them before sunrise. Meals will have no fluid limits, be fortified with higher nutritional or caloric content and include hot (microwaveable) options.  The order panel also includes a prompt to offer or encourage fluids overnight to help patients avoid dehydration.

It’s estimated about three percent of Rochester’s population is Muslim. While not every Muslim patient will observe Ramadan, it’s believed that there are up to 30 Muslim patients admitted to Strong Memorial Hospital at any one time. Not every Muslim observes the fast, much the same way not every Catholic abstains from meat on Fridays, but while accommodations are made for other faiths, they weren’t for those who fast, due to food service hours and the food available after 8 p.m., when patient food service ends, wasn’t sufficient.

Correcting this didn’t take long. Once the team met to talk over what changes needed to be made, work began in eRecord to allow providers the option to order food for patients.  Dr. Conrad Gleber, M.D., MBA, Associate Director of Clinical Informatics, Senior Instructor of Hospital Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry says, “This job helped me take care of a patient population, that was not being cared for appropriately, and, to be honest, that is the kind of medicine I love.” He will help analyze the data once Ramadan is over to help make decisions about how to replicate this next year. He says initial feedback has been positive. He believes this project will empower others to make change.  “What I’ve learned with my job recently, now that people know that the system is adaptable, it’s like a rising tsunami, it’s slowly gaining speed, “ he says.

The URMC Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan, adopted in 2020, aims to cultivate a diverse, culturally humble, and responsive Medical Center community where all can thrive. “We want to be the employer and provider of choice. We need to recognize opportunities for improvement and then remove obstacles to make changes a reality,“ says vice president for Equity and Inclusion at the University of Rochester Medical Center and senior associate dean for Equity and Inclusion at the School of Medicine and Dentistry. “This is a prime example of what can happen when process prioritizes people,” she adds.

Dr. Sheniece Griffin, DNP, RN, CNL, Nursing Director for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, University of Rochester Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, University of Rochester School of Nursing says, “This is a wonderful initiative.  When I found about this initiative I almost shed a tear.  My faith is finally being recognized and someone is taking the initiative to go above and beyond so that patients can also still celebrate Ramadan while hospitalized.” She adds, “I think this is a great beginning to individuals feeling more welcomed and valued within this institution.  I hope it just doesn’t end here.”

“These initiatives may seem small but they make a huge difference to patients’ experience in the hospital. It makes people feel welcomed and cared for and helps further our values of inclusivity and equality, “ says Marie Laryea, M.D. B.Sc., M.D.C.M., Associate Chair, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine.

Residents are currently working on the educational rollout about the order set. There will be an eRecord communication distributed to the faculty and staff at all hospitals.

Coming Home: Interview with Dr. Tina Young Poussaint

Monday, February 14, 2022

You might say a career in medicine was inevitable for Tina Young Poussaint, M.D., FACR. In 1958, her father, the late Lionel W. Young, M.D., FACR, became the first Black radiology resident at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He was a brilliant doctor and a trailblazer but he was also a parent. And, like any parent with a sleepless child, he was eager to get her to sleep.

“When he was a Radiology resident, I guess I was the kind of baby that liked to stay up at night, so many times he would sit me on his lap and while he was reading his radiology books, I would sit there… I didn’t really like to sleep so he would put me on his knee and he would read his books, and they told me that I would then fall asleep,” Poussaint says.

Poussaint, the Lionel W. Young Chair in Radiology at Boston Children’s Hospital and professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School, will enjoy a virtual homecoming to Rochester on February 23, 2022 as the 11th annual Tana A. Grady-Weliky, MD Lecture on Women and Diversity in Medicine guest speaker. Her topic is, “The Key Components for Academic Success.”

Born at Strong Memorial Hospital, she fondly recalls being raised in Rochester until she was 16. Her father and mother instilled in her the value of academic excellence, but a career in medicine wasn’t a forgone conclusion.

“When I was in high school and college I thought I might be interested in medicine but it wasn’t a given that I would go into medicine because I had some other interests. I really liked math and some of the other STEM areas,” she says. A career in engineering or biomedical engineering interested her at first, but eventually, as a student at Mt. Holyoke College, career exploration projects with a pediatrician and a pathologist solidified her decision to go into medicine.

Although Poussaint chose her own path in college, she had once faced a significant obstacle from an unlikely source. Poussaint told a guidance counselor about her interest in medicine.

“She said to me, ‘Oh, that’s really hard… there are so many other areas you could go into such as nursing or medical technology. I think you should reconsider,’”recalls Poussaint. “I really loved my guidance counselor but it was discouraging. I think she meant well, but I was very disappointed and wondered if maybe I shouldn’t do this. Fortunately, I listened [to her] and pretty much moved on my own path.”

The experience had a lasting impact but didn’t deter the young scientist. Poussaint would later graduate magna cum laude from Mt. Holyoke College, where she was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society. She would receive her medical degree, with honors, from Yale University School of Medicine and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her residency in diagnostic radiology and fellowship in neuroradiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she was an attending neuroradiologist for four years. Poussaint later joined Boston Children’s Hospital as an attending neuroradiologist.

Although they worked in different subspecialities, she and her father were colleagues who attended conferences together. Dr. Florence Young, who is a retired podiatrist, would attend as well. Poussaint credits both for her success. She says more young girls need an early exposure to math and science to help reduce the disparities of women in medicine.

“This is a time when they can be very influenced and so I think it’s really important when you’re considering what the outcomes could be or the vision of what a girl can be; I think it’s really important to be encouraging,” she says.

Poussaint cites the value of pipeline programs for high school and college students. She also says institutions need to foster an equitable environment that makes learners want to stay beyond graduation day. And, though such programs are critical, she says retention is key. “Otherwise those people will leave. It’s not just about the numbers, but the environment.”

The career trajectory of women in medicine and of those who are underrepresented in medicine is of great importance to Poussaint. She connects the work of her father, who once recruited Black doctors to the University of Rochester Medical Center, to efforts today, such as the Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan, which aims to increase the recruitment and retention of people from diverse backgrounds. In fact, it was her father who recruited Ruby Belton, M.D., to Rochester. Dr. Belton became the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Poussaint’s lecture is for the Tana Grady-Weliky, M.D. Annual Lecture, an endowed lecture series established to honor the late Dr. Grady-Weliky, a former University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Senior Associate Dean for Education and Department of Psychiatry faculty member. She was nationally recognized as an expert in medical student education and in the treatment of women’s mental health disorders.

The free lecture will be on February 23, 2022 at noon on Zoom. Registration is required.

Family Legacy: Tina Young Poussaint, MD, FACR, Daughter of URMC Radiology Trailblazer is 2022 Tana A. Grady-Weliky, MD Annual Lecture Guest Speaker

Monday, January 10, 2022

Tina Young Poussaint, MD, FACR, the Lionel W. Young Chair in Radiology at Boston Children’s Hospital and professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School, will enjoy a (virtual) homecoming to Rochester on February 23, 2022 as the 11th Annual Tana A. Grady-Weliky, MD Lecture on Women and Diversity in Medicine guest speaker.

Dr. Poussaint, who was born in Rochester, is principal investigator and director of the Neuroimaging Center of the NIH-funded Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium and is director of Boston Children’s Hospital Neuro-Oncologic Imaging. She is also the current President of the American Society of Neuroradiology.

She comes from a legacy of academic excellence. In 1958, her father, the late Lionel W. Young, MD, FACR, was the first African-American radiology resident in the Department of Radiology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He went on to establish the first Pediatric Radiology Section in the Department of Radiology. Dr. Young became a nationally and internationally recognized leader in pediatric radiology.

Dr. Pouissaint will deliver her remarks on Wednesday February 23, 2022 on Zoom at 12 p.m. Pre-registration for this free event is required. 

“We are honored to host Dr. Poussaint as our guest lecturer. She has dedicated her career to excellence in radiology benefiting countless children with cancer,” says Adrienne Morgan, Ph.D., vice president for Equity and Inclusion at the University of Rochester Medical Center and senior associate dean for Equity and Inclusion at the School of Medicine and Dentistry. “She embodies the spirit of Dr. Grady-Weliky through her work and is a living example of breaking barriers in medicine,” she adds. 

Jennifer Harvey, MD, chair of the Department of Imaging Sciences, says, “Dr. Poussaint’s significant contributions to pediatric radiology make her someone to whom our learners can aspire. She leads the way for women in medicine to be recognized and celebrated and, like her father before her, she leaves an indelible mark on the science of diagnostic and therapeutic imaging technologies.”

The annual endowed lecture was established in 2011 to honor Dr. Grady-Weliky, former University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Senior Associate Dean for Education and Department of Psychiatry faculty member.  She was nationally recognized as an expert in medical student education and in the treatment of women’s mental health disorders. Dr. Grady-Weliky impacted many students, residents, fellows, and faculty through her dedication to medical education, her commitment to women and diversity in medicine and her passion for psychiatry.