DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEMBERS Darrell M. Gray, II, MD, MPH, FACG, Chair Sophie M. Balzora, MD, FACG, Vice Chair Abdillahi M. Abdinoor, MD Somaya A. M. Albhaisi, MD Adjoa N. Anyane-Yeboa, MD, MPH Sumant Arora, MD Fray M. Arroyo-Mercado, MD Lanla Conteh, MD Lukejohn W. Day, MD Kalpit H. Devani, MD Erina N. Foster, MD, FACG Venu Gangireddy, MD
Muhannad M. Heif, MD Dominique E. Howard, MD, FACG Daniel S. Jamorabo, MD Alyson M. Johnson, MD Gordon Kim, DO Jose R. Martin, MD, FACG Cecilia Minano, MD Kenneth O. Obi, MD Philip N. Okafor, MD Leybelis Padilla, MD Krunal Patel, MD Luis R. Pena, MD, FACG
RESPONSIBILITIES AS STATED IN THE ACG BYLAWS
OBJECTIVES 1. To heighten awareness of issues and strategies related to diversity, equity and inclusion by which the College can best serve the interests of all members and their patients. 2. To work collaboratively with other committees in providing input through a healthy equity lens on programming such as educational, research and community engagement activities conducted by the College. This includes serving as an advisory group to the College on health disparity-related issues among racial, ethnic, gender, LGBTQ+ and other minority groups
Darrell M. Gray, II, MD, MPH, FACG
that the College can be a leader in addressing through programming for all members and patients. 3. To promote and advocate for inclusive representation in College leadership and work with other committees to increase participation, visibility, and advancement of members from underrepresented backgrounds in College-related activities such as appointments as faculty of ACG educational programs. 4. To help educate students from minority populations and underserved groups about careers in medicine and gastroenterology, through outreach, mentorship and research opportunities.
COMMITTEE REPORT The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee continues to work harmoniously to fulfill its mission to inform the College about health care issues among diverse population groups through a variety of programs: 1. Drs. Gray and Balzora co-led the #DiversityinGI 5k which concluded on November 9, 2020. In total, the race raised more than $30,000 to support the ACG Summer Scholars Program. 2. The Committee led a webinar series entitled “Racism in Medicine,” the most recent of which was hosted in May 2021 and addressed “Allyship and Action: In Solidarity Against AntiAsian Racism.” 3. The Summer Scholars Program subcommittee, led by Dr. Somaya Albhaisi, selected Nicolette Veracruz from Central Michigan University (Mentor: Tiffany Taft, MD - Northwestern 2020–2021 ACG AWARDS & LEADERSHIP | 57
ACG LEADERSHIP
This Committee shall be responsible for heightening awareness of issues and strategies related to diversity, equity and inclusion by which the College can better serve the interests of all members and their patients. The Committee will work collaboratively with other committees in providing input through a healthy equity lens on programming such as educational, research and community engagement activities conducted by the College. This includes serving as an advisory group to the College on health disparity-related issues among racial, ethnic, gender, LGBTQ+ and other minority groups that the College can be a leader in addressing through programming for all members and patients. The Committee will also promote and advocate for inclusive representation in College leadership and work with other committees to increase participation, visibility, and advancement of members from underrepresented backgrounds in College-related activities such as appointments as faculty of ACG educational programs.
Stephanie D. Pointer, MD Benjamin D. Renelus, MD Mankanwal S. Sachdev, MD Dalbir S. Sandhu, MD, FACG Terilyn R. Scott-Winful, MD Nihar N. Shah, MD, FACG Belen A. Tesfaye, MD Shifa Umar, MD Vaibhav Wadhwa, MD Shani H. Woolard, MD
