Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The UMass Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine is committed to promoting and advancing diversity among its trainees and faculty, with the goal of providing an inclusive and equitable environment for all in which to work, learn, and receive care.

Our Community

Worcester is the second-largest city in New England and one of the most diverse. More than half of the city's residents identify as people of color (approximately 25% of residents are Hispanic or Latino, 13% are Black or African American, and 7% are Asian) and more than one in five residents were born outside the continental United States, representing vibrant Vietnamese, Brazilian, Albanian, Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Ghanaian communities, among many others. Nearly one in five Worcester residents lives below the poverty line. As the region's only dedicated pediatric emergency department, we care for children and families who reflect the full breadth of this community, and we are dedicated to providing culturally responsive, compassionate care to every patient who comes through our doors.

Opportunities to Get Involved

As pediatric emergency providers, we see first-hand the physical and psychological effects that poverty, racism, and discrimination have on our most vulnerable patients. Understanding these challenges is essential to providing holistic care and reducing health disparities. Our division has made health equity a priority not only in clinical care, but also in our academic endeavors outside of the emergency room. Fellows who wish to engage in diversity, equity, and health equity work will find numerous avenues to do so:

· Child Health Equity Center (CHEC) — Anchored in the Children’s Medical Center, CHEC partners with community leaders and organizations to develop sustainable, family-centered solutions to the most pressing issues facing children and families. Fellows can participate in CHEC Health Equity Rounds, which are trainee-driven grand rounds presentations that brings together medical professionals, public health leaders, patients, and community members to examine and address inequities in healthcare delivery. Fellows can also engage with CHEC's ongoing research, advocacy, and community engagement projects. For more information, visit the CHEC website.

· Children's Medical Center DEI Committee — Fellows are welcome to join faculty and staff on the UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, which meets monthly and works to advance an inclusive environment across the children's hospital.

· Health equity research — Division and departmental faculty actively mentor fellows in research examining disparities in pediatric emergency care, and fellows are encouraged to incorporate an equity lens into their scholarly work.

· Community engagement and advocacy — Opportunities include the annual Child Health Equity Summit and department-supported advocacy initiatives at the local and state level.

For more information on diversity and inclusion efforts at UMass Chan Medical School, visit the Diversity and Inclusion Office.

Our Division’s Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that excellence in pediatric emergency medicine requires a team that reflects and understands the communities we serve. Our fellowship uses a holistic review process and actively recruits and supports trainees from backgrounds historically underrepresented in medicine, as well as those with diverse identities, life experiences, and career paths. We value differences in race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic background, ability status, and training pathway. We are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where we can all learn from one another by sharing and celebrating our diverse backgrounds, talents, and histories.

For more information on diversity and inclusion efforts at UMass Chan Medical School click here.