Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Rush University Children’s Hospital provides high-quality healthcare for patients with a broad range of disease entities and a variety of racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds that reflect Chicago’s diverse population. We strive to create a learning environment where everyone has the opportunity to use their distinct skills and talents to make a difference in our community and beyond. With these goals in mind, The Department of Pediatrics, has implemented a unique Diversity, Equity and Inclusion curriculum with the aim of assisting staff, faculty and trainees to embrace difference, treat each other with respect, address health inequities, and deliver outstanding clinical care.

Rush’s I CARE values: Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Curriculum

The Pediatric DEI curriculum aims to foster an environment of equality and inclusion for employees, trainees, patients, families and our surrounding communities. Climate surveys are conducted to assess the effectiveness of the curriculum program.

In fall of 2020 the Department-wide DEI retreat focused on anti-racism for faculty, residents, and staff. Dr. Rhea Boyd was the guest speaker. Feedback was positive and concrete goals for change within the department were created. For example, curriculum changes included requiring DEI goals and objectives for every rotation, to encourage residents and medical staff to have collaborative discussions outside of the educational conference space. We also increased the number of grand rounds and noon conferences focused on health equity, implicit bias and disparities in medicine. We made the Pediatric Department-wide DEI retreat an annual event with the 2021 retreat facilitated by Crossroads Antiracism Organization. This year our retreat is focused on Restorative Justice.

A sample of grand rounds, retreats, and noon conferences from the past 4 years are included below:

Structural Competency Working Group workshop
Health inequities and social determinants of health
Wellness Task Force: “Life-Work Integration”
Disability-Related Discrimination
Achieving Health Equity for LGBTQ People
Harassment Training
Gender-Based Discrimination
Microaggression Workshops
Rush PedsTalks: Panel discussion on URiM student/resident/faculty and staff experiences

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committees

Janet Yarboi PhD
Co-Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Rush University Children’s Hospital

Kyle Bersted PhD
Co-Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Rush University Children’s Hospital

Ashanta Brady, MD
Co-Chair of the House Staff Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Liz Chiquoine, DO
Carmen Reid, MD

Antiracism Resident Committee (ARC)

Community Service & Advocacy

Community service is an integral part of the culture of Rush. It is who Rush is and what Rush does. Through the Rush Community Service Initiatives Program (RCSIP), REACH and the Pediatric weekly newsletter there are opportunities for Rush University residents, students, faculty, fellows, and staff to engage with our community.

Global Health Track ** Advocacy Track

A doctor demonstrates stethoscopes to three children in a classroom

^{M3 volunteering at Laurence Armour Day School}

Building Blocks: Rush Scholars Program is a pipeline & mentorship program for underrepresented minority senior high school students at four high schools at the catchment area that Rush University Medical Center serves. The mission of Building Blocks: Rush Scholars Program is to provide an integrative curriculum of clinical immersion, personalized mentorship and community service to prepare underrepresented minorities for matriculation into graduate education and medicine.

Questions?
Please feel free to email: buildingblocksrumc@gmail.com