Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award

“Dr. Chen has demonstrated her leadership in DEI activities at Emory University.  She was a member of the inaugural group of unconscious bias facilitators that included Drs. Meltzer and Heron, through Emory University, for the SOM. She was a subject matter expert for the Emory GME for professionalism, unconscious bias and microaggressions topics. In 2019, she established the first Women in Otolaryngology group for the Emory Department of Otolaryngology for female residents and faculty. Moreover, Dr. Chen conducted focus groups of faculty at Emory University School of Medicine to assess knowledge, attitudes and recommendations for improving the climate of diversity, equity and inclusion.”
 
“Dr. Chen has been a trail blazer and tireless advocate for equity and diversity across the University. She was the first female faculty member to join the Emory Department of Otolaryngology in 2001 and became the first female and person of color to attain the rank of full Professor in Otolaryngology in 2010. She also became the inaugural Vice-Chair for Faculty Development for her department, shepherding the idea to its fruition. She has served as a mentor and sponsor for female  faculty  and  faculty  of  color  in  countless  ways, implementing  the  first  Women  in  Surgical Specialties group at Emory in 2019, and advocating for faculty and staff parents as Co-Chair of the Child Care Task Force for the Emory University Senate.”

“As a faculty mentor to our CIT members, she plays a crucial mentorship and advisor role in our efforts as an organization to increase the diversity and representation  of  minority  health  professionals  in  the  cardiology  training taskforce.  She serves as reviewer and one of the judges for our Annual CIT abstract competition. Her pipeline development efforts include serving as a  member  of  the  Review  Committee  for  the  Dr.  Richard  Allen  Williams  Scholarship  for  Medical  Students, a  scholarship  award  for  1st  or  2nd  year  medical  students  who  show  promise  in  medical  research,  cardiology,  and  academic  medicine.”
 
“As Associate Medical Director for the Grady Heart Failure Program, Dr. Ogunniyi has created several programs to improve access and quality of care for the underserved. These initiatives include providing scales and blood pressure monitors, rideshare support, delivery of prescriptions, and virtual and home health visits. Under her leadership, the Grady HF program has received several national awards including the Gage Award for improving quality in vulnerable populations.  Dr. Ogunniyi has been the Principal Investigator on several clinical trials that impact underserved populations and has enhanced the number of racial and ethnic minorities in cardiology clinical trials at Grady.”

2020 Awardee

• Wendy Greene, MD (Surgery)
• Jason Schneider, MD (Medicine)

2019 Awardee

• Jodie Guest, PhD, MPH (Family & Preventive Medicine) - Pictured above

2018 Awardee

• Sheryl Heron, MD, MPH (Emergency Medicine)

The Emory University School of Medicine is committed to ensuring a climate of inclusion and organizational equity by leveraging the varied attributes of diversity in our community. The school believes it is imperative that we train, recruit, retain, and employ faculty, staff, and learners who relate to, engage with, and meet the needs of the multicultural and international communities we serve. Organizational culture rich in diverse attributes and life experiences enhances our ability to deliver equitable, cross-cultural healthcare and lead the effort to eliminate health inequalities and improve health outcomes locally and globally.

The Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award has been established by the School of Medicine Recognitions Committee on behalf of the Dean to recognize faculty who have made significant contributions in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.

One faculty member will be honored with the Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award in 2021. Those who have received this award in the past 3 years are not eligible.

 

Deadline

Nominations are closed.

Eligibility

All faculty with a primary appointment in the Emory University School of Medicine. Those who have received this award in the past three years are not eligible.

Nominations

Faculty must be nominated by a faculty member, staff member or a trainee of Emory University. The nomination should consist of a concise narrative (500 words or less) describing how the nominee demonstrates excellence in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion to the benefit of the Emory community and/or the patients we serve. It should include specific examples of the individual’s outstanding achievements and contributions towards inclusive excellence by means of service, leadership, research and/or education. Outstanding examples of excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion can include, but are not limited to:

• Promoting an environment that is welcoming, supportive, and nurturing to all faculty, staff, and learners within EUSOM
• Improving awareness related to diversity, inclusion, bias, and/or healthcare disparities within EUSOM
• Engaging in the community with a focus on advancing health equity and/or reducing barriers to accessing care
• Leading efforts to eliminate health inequalities and improve health outcomes locally, regionally, or globally
• Mentoring individuals from marginalized (e.g. race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, etc.) groups
• Demonstrating leadership in diversity, equity, and/or inclusion activities within EUSOM
• Initiating innovative approaches to creating diversity, ensuring equity, and/or fostering inclusion through research, innovation, and education

Submission

Must use the online Award Nomination Form and include the following:

• Nominating letter (500 words or less)
• Nominee’s current Curriculum Vitae
• Optional materials: One additional letter of support (500 words or less)

Decision

Will be made by the School of Medicine Recognitions Committee with input from the Chief Diversity Officer and approved by the Dean.

Questions should be directed to SOM Office of Faculty Academic Advancement, Leadership & Inclusion at somfde@emory.edu.

Award

Recipients will be announced and honored during the annual Celebration of Faculty Excellence.