HCDI Executive Board and keynote speaker, Dr. Bonnie Mason (center). Drs. Chioma Moneme, Ally Deal, and Anthony Norman on left of speaker and Drs. Perry Bradford, Erawadi Singh, and Erik Scott on her right.
The UVA School of Medicine’s House Staff Council for Diversity & Inclusion (HCDI) and Office of Graduate Medical Education hosted the fifth annual Trainee Diversity and Inclusion Conference on November 12, 2022, with 86 participants from 20 different institutions. The theme for the conference was “Excellence in Action: Lifting as We Climb” and featured keynote speaker Bonnie Mason, MD, FAAOS. The title of Dr. Mason’s address was “The Equity Imperative for Graduate Medical Education.” Dr. Mason is an orthopedic surgeon and medical director of diversity, equity and inclusion at the American College of Surgeons. She is also a nationally recognized speaker who has dedicated her career to advocating, educating, and empowering fellow physicians to be leaders who develop a vision and strategy to further DEI in the workplace.
Bonnie Mason, MD
In addition to Dr. Mason’s keynote address, the day’s events included engaging and insightful panel discussions moderated by UVA faculty and community representatives. A discussion on career development and harnessing passions outside of work was moderated by A. Rashard Dacus, MD, Leigh-Ann Webb, MD, MBA, and Arturo Saavedra, MD, PhD. Another important discussion about enhancing resident and faculty well-being through systems and culture change was moderated by Ebony Hilton-Buchholz, MD, Carrie Sopata, MD, and Karen Warburton, MD.
The community panel featured an enlightening conversation about the multifaceted issues related to housing insecurities and financial literacy in the underserved community within Charlottesville. Community panelists included Yolanda Harrell with New Hill Incorporated, Janasha Bradford, a financial advisor for Edward Jones and author of “Mahogany and Friends”, and Anthony Haro, the director of Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless.
Attendees also participated in an incredible faculty development workshop called “Mentoring URM Trainees & Recipes for Success.” Other group sessions covered topics like how to be a good mentee, success on away rotations, and more.
HCDI President Erik Scott, MD and Vice-President Perry Bradford, MD would like to thank everyone who supported this event including Melina Kibbe, MD, Dean of the School of Medicine and Tracy Downs, MD, Chief Diversity and Community Engagement Officer who provided welcoming remarks. The event also would not have been possible without the hard work and support of the HCDI executive board, faculty advisors, and medical student volunteers. Drs. Scott and Bradford especially thank the Office of Graduate Medical Education as they are integral to the success of this conference every year.
To learn more about HCDI and their commitment to promoting diversity and tolerance within the UVA house staff community, please visit the GME Diversity and Inclusion web page.
Filed Under: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Featured