Stanford Obstetrics and Gynecology Hosts Its Annual DEI Week

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology recently held its annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Week from September 16 through September 19, featuring a thorough agenda of educational sessions and community-building events.

The week-long program aimed to foster a more inclusive environment and address critical issues in healthcare equity. Kicking off the event was a keynote address by Stanford Bioethicist and Clinical Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine Alyssa Burgart, MD, MA. Burgart presented “DEI Communication: Harnessing Dignity, Integrity, and Ethics for Better Relationships,” which addressed how personal and social identities are multidimensional and influence our actions and interactions. 

This set the tone for a series of targeted sessions throughout the week. Residents and fellows participated in specialized workshops, including a Health Equity Round led by DEI Co-Directors Katherine Bianco, MD, and Michelle Khan, MD, and Resident Diversity Chief Farsam Fraz Azad, MD, as well as a session on responding to microaggressions conducted by the Clayman Institute’s Arghavan Salles, MD, PhD (who is also a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine).

The rest of the week’s agenda covered a wide range of topics crucial to advancing DEI in our field. From the School of Medicine’s JEDI Collective, Shaila Kotadia, PhD, and Matthew Griffith, PhD, led a session on building community connections, while PRIDEnet staff Mahri Bahati, MPH, and Daniel Moretti, MSc, discussed inclusive language practices and pronouns. Climate justice and its impact on human health were on the agenda as well and addressed by Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Division Chief Ruben Alvero, MD

The department's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment is evident in the diverse range of speakers and topics. By addressing issues from communication strategies to climate justice, our department demonstrated a holistic approach to DEI, emphasizing its importance across all aspects of medical practice and education.

The Stanford OB/GYN Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee exists to foster a thriving environment for patients, trainees, faculty and staff. Learn more.