From October 2014 through March 2015, the DFMCH sponsored the 2020 Initiative, an effort to engage our statewide department on issues of diversity equity and inclusion. Creation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee was one of the Initiative’s recommendations. The charter for the committee’s formation was approved by the Executive Team on March 25, 2015 and our first meeting launched in August 2015.
Objectives
- To increase awareness of diversity issues in our geographical community, patient populations, and Department
- To identify and prioritize potential interventions that can increase Department responsiveness to diversity issues
- To develop a strategy that assures a Departmental commitment to health equity, diversity, and inclusion
Leadership Support
- As a grassroots initiative it was critical to garner support, including financial, from departmental leadership.
Identifying the Gaps and Making a Compelling Case
- We distributed an electronic cultural climate survey across our statewide department (modifed from Ring, J. Nyquist, J. et al. (2008) Curriculum for Culturally Responsive Health Care: The Step-by-Step Guide for Cultural Competence Training. Radcliffe Oxford)
- This “State of the Department” presentation was videoconferenced across the state to over 125 faculty physicians on October 1, 2014. Material includes evolving demographic data about our state and department (compared to AAMC national trends), results of our climate survey and dispartitiy data in our community.
- VIDEO: The 2020 Initiative: State of the Dept by Jennifer Edgoose, MD
- Wisconsin Council on Children and Families: Race for Results Wisconsin’s Need to Reduce Health Disparities Policy Brief Fall 2014
- This podcast was a presentation given by the authors of the Race to Equity Report on August 6, 2014 showing the shocking disparties that exist in Dane County, WI.
- Race to Equity: A Project to Reduce Racial Disparities in Dane County October 2013
- Race to Equity Presentation (video) – by Erica Nelson and Torry Winn from the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families.
- For futher discussion of disparities in the state of Wisconsin, review the Annie E. Casey Foundation Race for Results: Policy Report: Kids Count
Considering Best Practices
- We held sessions with residency faculty on October 22, 2014 and with community physicians, APPs and clinic managers on December 3, 2014 offering a potential roadmap showing best practices in the arena of diversity and another in health equity and provided opportunites to consider these using an equity and empowerment lens toolkit developed in Multnomah County, OR.
- VIDEO: The 2020 Initiative Roadmap: Summary of Best Practice by Jennifer Edgoose, MD
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Roadmap and Best Practices in Diversity and Health Equity
- Equity and Empowerment Lens
- Residency Clinic Results: DFM Equity and Empowerment Exercise
- Community Clinic Results: DFM Equity and Empowerment Exercise
Brainstorming Strategic Intention
- On December 11, 2014 we brought in professional facilitators to assist members from across the statewide department to brainstorm a strategy to address issues of diversity, inclusion and health equity across the educational, research and clnical arms of our department.
- Individual Brainstorm
- Group Priorities
Developing Institutional Structure
- In the spring of 2015, we develop a proposal for Phase 2 “Action Plan” that included creating a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. This was approved by the department Executive Team in March 2015 and the committee was convened in the summer of 2015.
- 2020 Update
- Overview of the 2020 Initiative
- The 2020 Initiative: Phase 2 Action Plan
Facilitation Materials
- The following resources are helpful for understanding group dynamics and facilitating participation of all group members during meetings.
- The Advisory Board Company: Anatomy of a Great Meeting
- The Napier Group: Stages of Group Development
- The Napier Group: Principles of Meeting Design
- Check-in Questions
- Anti-Oppressive Facilitation Resource Sheet
Resources
- DFMCH Mentorship Toolkit
- Improving Diversity Medical Univ of South Carolina 2012.pdf
- Roadmap and Best Practices for Organizations to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care.pdf
- GME in Freddie Gray Era_NEJM.pdf