Engaging pediatricians to address workforce diversity
In the United States, there is a growing recognition of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and a renewed commitment to social justice. Within the medical profession, a key element of promoting equity is a workforce that reflects the diversity of the population. To achieve greater representation, the physician workforce must diversify in an unprecedented fashion, which will require intentional, longitudinal commitments at multiple levels, from individual physicians to the entire profession. While many initiatives rely on the efforts and leadership of individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, we strongly believe they should not carry the burden to address or correct institutional racism and inequity; rather, all members of the community share this responsibility. Whether as pediatric providers, academic leaders, public health professionals, researchers, or any other type of pediatrician, it is essential that we leverage our unique pediatric perspective and invest our time, effort, and societal capital to make a difference.
Collaborators: Fuentes-Afflick E, Shipman SA, Dreyer B, Perrin JM, Freed GL