Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Mission Statement

The Department of Radiology will be known as a leader in Michigan Medicine and the University of Michigan for how we build, implement, and sustain initiatives to improve diversity, equity and inclusion for our entire workforce. This will not only increase the well-being of all of our entire workforce but positively impact the care that we provide to our entire patient population regardless of age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic and health status, gender and sexual orientation.

Campuswide Events

The department of Radiology joins Michigan Medicine and the University of Michigan in observing these significant events throughout the year:

  • Black History Month (February)
  • Disability Awareness Month (March)
  • Women's History Month (March)
  • Arab American Heritage Month (April)
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)
  • Pride Month (June)
  • National Hispanic (Latinx) Heritage Month (Sept 15 – October 15)

Youth Summit at the Big House

On May 21, 2022 approximately 30 members of the department of radiology (residents, clinical and basic science faculty and staff) participated in the inaugural Youth Summit at the Big House. This daylong regional outreach event was aimed at engaging and exposing diverse middle school students from schools across southeast Michigan with Michigan Medicine health care teams, units and departments.

The children participated in hands-on simulations, networked with professionals and made personal connections with Michigan Medicine faculty, staff and learners.

Department Lectures and Events

Invited Grand Rounds Speakers

Grand Rounds has hosted some outstanding speakers, and will continue to offer DEI centric topics in the coming year. A few of the topics recently covered in Grand Rounds:

  • 'If the Head is Sick...': The Pathology of Racism - Ethriam Cash Brammer, PhD, Assistant Dean, Rackham Graduate School
  • Yes, Another Talk about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Radiology (but this one is different!) - Christina Hunter Chapman, MD, MS, Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology
  • Pursuing Health Equity Through Research and Outreach in Radiology - Efren Flores, MD, Assistant Professor, Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Power, Privilege and Anti-Racism: An Introduction - Karri Grob, MA, EdS, Director of Student Services, Office of Medical Student Education
  • The Do's and Don'ts of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Paul J. Rochon, MD, FSIR, Associate Professor, Radiology, Colorado University
  • Reading Race: AI Recognizes Patient's Racial Identity in Medical Images - Judy Wawira Gichoya, MD, MS, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology and Imaging Services, Emory University
  • A Tale of Two Women: Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Genetics - Versha Pleasant, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan Medicine

Faculty Development

The Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development offers workshops throughout the year on a variety of topics. The department encourages all who can, to take advantage of this education and training. Due to most workshops being held online, staff are able to join as well.

Some of the topics covered with a DEI centric theme are as follows:

  • What is Health Equity and Why Should We Care?
  • Facilitating Conversations for an Anti-Racist Workplace
  • Systemic Racism: A Public Health Crisis
  • Strategies and Tactics for Recruiting to Improve Diversity and Excellence (STRIDE) Workshop

Recognizing Health Disparities in Radiology

Presented by: Kathryn Quanstrom and Chelsea Finkbeiner
Faculty Mentors: Aparna Joshi, MD; Stephanie Patterson, MD; Marilyn Roubidoux, MD

Medical students Kathryn Quanstrom and Chelsea Finkbeiner presented a review of disparities in screening and diagnostic imaging. Factors contributing to inequities in radiologic care include race, ethnicity, geography, socioeconomic status, health literacy, insurance status, disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Michigan Medicine at SiMfest

Radiology faculty have participated in workshops to improve exposure of under-represented minorities to the field of Radiology, such as Michigan Medicine’s SiMfest at the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) meetings.

Radiology Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

Our DEI committee is focused on increasing the visibility of diversity topics. The committee also works to increase education and provide opportunities for all members of our department to engage with DEI issues.

Committee Members
Aparna Joshi, MD

Dr. Aparna Joshi, as the chair of the department’s DEI Committee, coordinates department-level DEI activities and advocates for equitable and inclusive practices in the Department of Radiology.