Engagement Events

Chats for Change is a series of one-hour virtual dialogues developed and led by Icahn Mount Sinai’s Racism and Bias Initiative. The sessions are built on the concept that, in order to respond to racism and be anti-racist, institutions and individuals must engage in dialogue, learning, and action. In 2022, Chats for Change expanded beyond Icahn Mount Sinai and conducted 51 systemwide Chats for Change sessions with more than 1,500 participants. Begun as an effort to encourage dialogue among the Icahn Mount Sinai community, Chats for Change is being adopted as a model by other schools around the nation.

One notable session was “Equity Lens—How Does It Work,” a discussion of how, why, and when to use an equity lens, a tool designed to help decisionmakers and teams focus on equity in both their processes and outcomes.

In an October session in honor of Latinx Heritage Month, participants explored the intersectionality of Spanish language/culture and interactions between physicians and patients in the United States. In this discussion, participants took a closer look at the treatment of Latinx patients in clinical settings and provided tools on how to be a better advocate for patients from different backgrounds.

Conversations With Leaders —In June, Women in Information Technology at Mount Sinai and the Office for Diversity and Inclusion held a conversation with Angela Diaz, MD, PhD, MPH, Director of the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center—one of the nation’s largest adolescent health centers—about her unique professional journey from being a former patient of the Center to leading it. It was one of a continuing series of conversations in which Health System leaders shared their personal and professional journeys with staff at the Corporate Services Center.

Hope in Harlem —Icahn Mount Sinai was a proud sponsor of this free in-person conference in May 2023, which brought together nationally recognized experts and community partners to share best practices around innovative mental health services in Harlem and the surrounding New York City area with the aim of building bridges between community-based organizations and hospital-based services to strengthen culturally inclusive care for vulnerable populations.

Let’s Connect—Launched in May 2023, Let’s Connect is a series of discussions to inform and educate the community on how Mount Sinai is promoting and fostering an equitable and anti-racist culture across the Health System. Each session will allow attendees to learn about the progress of our

Road Map for Action to Address Racism and provide an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion, offer feedback, and voice perspectives. In the first session, Pamela Abner, Vice President and Chief Diversity Operations Officer, engaged in an open conversation with Mary-Frances Winters, Chief Executive Officer of The Winters Group, to better understand resistance and the importance of racial justice to advance our system’s anti-racism efforts. More than 150 people registered to attend the event.

Our Seat at the Table —The Corporate Services Center Diversity Council and Heritage of Latinx Alliance Employee Resource Group spearheaded a panel discussion in honor of Women's History Month in March. The discussion focused on driving financial empowerment, leadership, and literacy for Latina women.

Reflections of Healing and Hope —This event in June 2022 brought together members of the Black Leaders Advocating for Change and Community (BLACC) Employee Resource Group and staff from across the Health System to reflect on recent racial and ethnic tragedies and to exchange stories of strength and resilience. The discussion included how the group is building a coalition of Black leaders at Mount Sinai to guide and support employees of color and the need to be “patient yet stern” in pushing for structural change.