The Duke University School of Medicine Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion has announced the recipients of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Catalyst Fund. The fund provides resources for innovative projects, interventions, and programs in equity, diversity, and inclusion that have the potential to scale or translate into broader School of Medicine initiatives. A total of seven projects were selected, each of which will receive funding for a 12-month period.
The projects selected as winners of the 2024 EDI Catalyst Fund are:
- “Administrative Support Staff Professional Development Pilot Program,” project directors: Pamela Keels; Julius Wilder, MD, PhD; and Camille Fulbright. Collaborators: Rodney Reeves; Lowell Tyler; and Erica Taylor, MD.
- “Association of Women Surgeons Mentorship Pods,” project director: Gayle DiLalla, MD. Collaborators: Hana Shafique, MS2; Alexandria Soto, MS3; Dana Rowe, MS3; Shannon Barter, PGY-3.
- “Developing and Implementing an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology: EVOLVE EDI Education,” project directors: Latoya Patterson, MD, MPH; and Sarahn Wheeler, MD, MHS. Collaborators: SirTauria Hilliard; and Monica Vallier.
- “Developing a Pediatric Justice League: Using Restorative Justice Practices to Improve Workplace Culture in the Department of Pediatrics,” project director: Sydney Allgood. Collaborators: Kathleen Bartlett, MD; Catherine Hart, M.Ed.; and Jasmine Willis-Wallace, Ed.D., MS.
- “Honoring Diversity and Catalyzing Belonging through Inclusive Communications,” project directors: Susan Gallagher; and Lindsay Gordon-Faranda. Collaborators: Jamie Botta; Jessica Bronchick; Rosie Canizares; Bernadette Gillis; Lynn Labuda; Beverly Murphy; Abby Parcell; Cara August; Stephanie Lopez; Valerie Marino; Minerva Matos-Garner; Andy Medlin; Sarah Morrison; and Natalie Sayewich.
- “Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence in Faculty Searches: A Toolkit for Educators and Leaders,” project directors: Rachel Porter, PhD, MEd; and Quincy Jones, MSW, MHS, PA-C. Collaborators: Gary Johnson, PT, DPT, ATC/L; Jean Mesaros, PharmD; Linwood Webb; and Jacquetta Melvin, MPH, PA-C.
- “Advancing Unit-level Climate & EDI through Collaboration within the Duke University School of Medicine,” project directors: Michael Fern, PhD; and Monica Elam. Collaborators: Amy Porter-Tacoronte; Beth Glasscock; Lowell Tyler; Michelle Smith; Robin Famiglietti; and Willette Wilkins.
The projects were chosen based on their potential for positive impact in one or several areas, including strategies that enhance the climate of inclusion and belonging and strategies that infuse equity and inclusion in recruitment, retention, and promotion of faculty and staff.
“These initiatives represent ambitious and innovative strategies with strong potential for advancing our shared goals in equity, diversity, and inclusion,” said Kevin Thomas, MD, vice dean for equity, diversity, and inclusion. “Collaboration across units enhances the potential for these initiatives to expand and evolve.”
The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion launched the EDI Catalyst Fund earlier this year. Staff and faculty in School of Medicine were invited to submit requests for proposal for the award.
The funding period for the Catalyst Fund is from April 2024 to April 2025.