Grassroots Approach to Forming a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in an Academic Radiology Department

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging and Radiology
• Health Equity Research
• Medical Education

Background:

• Radiology has historically shown limited progress in diversifying its workforce, particularly concerning underrepresented minorities and women.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are vital for fostering inclusive learning environments, advancing patient health equity, and ensuring equitable career progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the establishment and operational strategies of a grassroots Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee within a radiology department.
• To outline key initiatives and accountability structures implemented by the DEI committee to promote equity.

Main Methods:

• Formation of a self-organized, grassroots DEI committee.
• Implementation of targeted projects across educational, recruitment, retention, cultural, and research domains.
• Establishment of accountability structures to ensure the effectiveness of DEI initiatives.

Main Results:

• The committee successfully initiated projects aimed at improving DEI within the department.
• Strategies were developed for education, recruitment, retention, departmental culture, and health equity research.
• Accountability mechanisms were put in place to monitor progress and impact.

Conclusions:

• Grassroots DEI committees can effectively drive initiatives to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in radiology.
• Strategic implementation across multiple domains is key to fostering a more equitable environment in medical imaging.
• DEI efforts contribute to innovation and improved health equity within the healthcare landscape.