Department of Surgery
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

In 2020, the Wisconsin Department of Surgery launched a 5-year strategic plan that featured department culture as one of four strategic domains. Our goal in this domain is to develop an inclusive, collaborative, connected culture at all levels of the department, promoting a climate that supports professional fulfillment and wellness. To advance this goal, we created a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee to focus specifically on recruiting diverse faculty, staff, and trainees, enhancing cultural competence across the department, and promoting equity within our community.

Membership

DEI committee participants come from all functional areas of the department (faculty, staff, and residents/fellows) and represent a wide variety of experiences and viewpoints. What we share is a passion for advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in our department and in our broader communities, and a commitment to working proactively to create real change.

Department of Surgery members who are interested in joining the DEI committee can contact one of our committee co-chairs: Corrine Voils, PhD or Scott Chaiet, MD.

DEI Initiatives

  • Faculty Recruitment & Hiring
  • Resident Recruitment
  • Anti-Racist Learning Group
  • DEI Onboarding Practices
  • Cultural Complications Curriculum
  • DEI Grand Rounds
  • Inclusive Communications

For Applicants

The School of Medicine and Public Health is committed to being a diverse, equitable, inclusive and anti-racist workplace and is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Applications from Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals, LGBTQ+ and non-binary identities, women, persons with disabilities, military service members and veterans are strongly encouraged.

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Our Partners

Department of Surgery DEI News

  • photo of a pregnant patient receiving an ultrasound

    Fetal Diagnosis & Treatment Center Launched

    Last week, UW Health and UnityPoint Health-Meriter announced the launch of the only fetal diagnosis and treatment center in Wisconsin, helmed by assistant professor of pediatric surgery Inna Lobeck, MD. The center brings specialists together …

    June 14, 2022

  • University of Wisconsin Surgery Research Roundup: February 2022

    University of Wisconsin Surgery members engage in remarkable research that yields many impactful publications every month. We’re highlighting a few of these publications monthly to showcase the diversity of research in the department; see the …

    April 29, 2022
  • photo of Angela Saini

    Angela Saini Kicks Off Wisconsin Department of Surgery’s DEI Grand Rounds

    Earlier this month, world-renowned journalist and author Angela Saini spoke with the University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery in the department’s first-ever Grand Rounds focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Saini, who was previously …

    March 31, 2022

  • Wisconsin Surgery Team Works and Educates in Rwanada with Team Heart

    In November of 2021, a team of health care professionals from across the country, which included a number of individuals from the University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery led by Amy Fiedler, MD, traveled to …

    February 17, 2022

  • Welcome Jasmine Peters, URS Recipient

    Disclaimer: As of February 25, 2022, the program name has changed from Underrepresented in Surgery to Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM). When Jasmine Peters, participant in the Underrepresented in Surgery (URS) Visiting Elective Program, thought about …

    October 26, 2021

More news >>

Featured Resource

Micropedia intro animation
The Micropedia >>

Start browsing this resource to learn more about microaggressions and their impact.

Black Surgeons and Surgery in America >>

This text from the American College of Surgeons presents the history of the issues that shape the current debate on racial disparities in surgical care. Read the stories of the heroes who dedicated themselves—sometimes at the cost of their own lives—to the cause of racial equity in surgical care.
Download a PDF copy at no cost and/or purchase a printed copy in the ACS e-store for $25 (ACS member pricing available).

UW Academic Calendar & Religious Observances >>

Click on the title above for the UW–Madison academic calendar and a listing, though not exhaustive, of religious holidays.

Join an Employee Resource Group >>

Department of Surgery faculty, staff, residents, and fellows are invited to participate in UW Health's voluntary, employee-led Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).

ERGs 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. Participation provides opportunities to network, pursue professional and personal development, foster community, and support education and initiatives aimed at enhancing equity and inclusion.

The first five ERG pilots are African American/Black, LGBTQ+, Women’s Leadership Group, Military Service Membership, and Latinx. Click on the title above to learn more and find out how to join!

Diversity-Related Events on Campus

Corrine Voils, PhD
Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Department of Surgery

Scott Chaiet, MD
Diversity and Inclusion Advocate for the Department of Surgery
chaiet@surgery.wisc.edu