Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 2021
As we approach Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Department of Surgery recognizes that our nation is facing a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle to live up to our ideals of equality and inclusion. The past year has laid bare how much work remains, on a national level but also in every community and workplace, including ours.
“Diverse perspectives make our department, institution, and community much stronger and more successful, but only if we foster a culture of true inclusion,” said Dr. Rebecca Minter, A.R. Curreri Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery. “It’s imperative that we take time to reflect on Dr. King’s vision, and to recommit to acting intentionally in the coming year to honor that vision.”
In that spirit, all are welcome and encouraged to join in the events below. See this Surgery Intranet post for more event details and links.
October 23, 2020: Joining Employee Resource Groups
Voluntary, employee-led Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) foster a diverse and inclusive workplace aligned with the organizational mission, values, goals, business practices, and objectives. These groups focus on the experiences and perspectives of people of a particular race, ethnic or cultural background, gender, gender identity, religion, age cohort, sexual orientation, history of disabilities, military services, or other affinities.
In collaboration with the UW Health Chief Diversity Officer, faculty, staff, residents, and fellows are invited to participate in the Employee Resource Groups.
ERGs provide opportunities for employees to network, pursue professional and personal development, improve cultural understanding among employees, improve recruiting efforts, promote education related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, align with UW Health social responsibility initiatives, and support our work to advance cultural competency.
The first five ERG pilots are:
- African American/Black
- LGBTQ+
- Women’s Leadership Group
- Military Service Membership
- Latinx
Department of Surgery members are invited to participate!
August 28, 2020: A Message to Our BIPOC Communities
The Department of Surgery stands with our community members of color who are hurting, angry, and so very tired. We see your pain, and we understand that it is not your responsibility to fix this. We must ALL engage to address these long-standing civil rights violations and disparities if we hope to achieve our nation’s espoused ideals of freedom and equality. We make this statement to hold ourselves accountable, and to affirm that we will take action to continue learning, working, and embracing an anti-racist culture so that our institution and community can one day live up to those ideals.
Everyone. Every time. Everywhere.