A Surgical Society’s Push to Increase Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

In the past year, the Central Surgical Association has focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. Some of these efforts were discussed at the 2021 joint annual meeting of the CSA and Midwest Surgical Association....

...Panelist Callisia Clarke, MD, an assistant professor and a surgical oncologist, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee, discussed diversity, equity and inclusion in surgical societies with a focus on unconscious bias....

....Dr. Clarke said several steps can help move organizations in the right direction. First, organizations should take their pulse and learn where they stand on DEI. Second, they should make their intentions regarding DEI known. “I strongly encourage organizations to go back and look at their mission and incorporate DEI into part of their mission, so it is part of the structure, the backbone of the organization, and it’s not a separate or time-related event,” Dr. Clarke said. Third, organizations should implement effective programs for DEI using data to guide them, and they should have both short- and long-term goals.

“DEI work is not a fad. It takes time, effort and money to make a difference,” Dr. Clarke said...