The Department of Pediatrics is committed to creating an environment where all faculty, fellows, residents, staff and students feel respected and valued regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or disability. In partnership with the School of Medicine, we believe that diversity and inclusion are crucial to the pursuit of excellence in our three pillars: research, education and patient care.
As a department, we are working to establish initiatives to cultivate a more diverse and inclusive environment for our faculty, trainees and staff.
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Department of Pediatrics Diversity Dashboard
- Statements from the Department
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Pediatric Diversity and Inclusion Council
The Pediatric Diversity and Inclusion Council aims to increase recruitment and retention of underrepresented in medicine (URiM) pediatric residents, fellows, and faculty, promote opportunities for mentorship amongst UAB medical students, pediatric residents, fellows, faculty, and staff, and foster a culture of diversity, inclusion and cultural responsiveness amongst pediatric residents, fellows, faculty, patients, and other healthcare providers.
Activities of the council include recruitment informational sessions and post-interview question and answer sessions for underrepresented in medicine residency candidates, diversity education, departmental constituent groups, and pipeline activities.
The co-directors for Diversity and Inclusion for the Residency Program are Drs. Ana Xavier and Chrystal Rutledge. Dr. Tina Simpson serves as the Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Liaison.
Diversity & Inclusion Council Timeline
2014
1st Annual Dean’s Council Graduate Medical Education Welcome Reception for URiM residents, fellows, and faculty
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2012
Department of Pediatrics Diversity Council Established
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2013
Diversity Education Incorporated into Weekly Residency Communication
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2014
1st Annual Dean’s Council Graduate Medical Education Welcome Reception for URiM residents, fellows, and faculty
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2015
Department of Pediatrics URiM Visiting Rotation Scholarship Established
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2016
Dean’s Council Graduate Medical Education Second Look Weekend
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2017
Partnership Established with Meharry Medical College for MSIII Pediatric Inpatient Rotation
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2018
Department of Pediatrics Recruitment at Annual Student National Medical Association Conference
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2019
Additional Department of Pediatrics URiM Visiting Rotation Scholarship Established
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2020
Antiracism Statement Published
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Women in Science
Women in Science is a faculty women's group for the Department of Pediatrics led by Smita Bhatia, M.D. that gathers twice a year.
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Social Justice Book Club
The Social Justice Book Club was started as a component of the department’s ongoing efforts to foster a more inclusive environment. Sponsored by the Office of Faculty Development the Social Justice Book Club meets once a month to discuss a book focused on social justice.
December 2020
"Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria" by Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D.
October 2020
"How to Be an Antiracist" by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi.
August 2020
"Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think and Do" by Dr. Jennifer L. Eberhardt.
July 2020
"Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People" by Anthony Greenwald and Mahzarin Banaji. -
Diversity Leadership
Department
Tina Simpson, M.D., M.P.H.
Professor
Adolescent Medicine
Residency Program
Chrystal Rutledge, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Critical Care
Michael Lopez, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Neurology