SAEM Outstanding Department Award for Excellence and Innovation in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
In May 2023, the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine awarded the Emory University School of Medicine's Department of Emergency Medicine the Outstanding Department Award for Excellence and Innovation in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The Department was given the award on behalf of the Society and its 8,200+ members for the team's dedication, leadership, and innovative work in academic emergency medicine.
2021 ACGME Diversity & Inclusion Award
Emory University School of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine (EM) is proud to announce that the EM Residency Program and the Morehouse School of Medicine have received the inaugural 2021 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Diversity and Inclusion Award. This national recognition illuminates the commitment and passion the Emory Emergency Medicine team brings to equity and inclusion- cornerstones of the Department.
“The Emory Emergency Medicine Residency Program started in 1974 with two residents and has grown to over 60 residents in a three-year curriculum with over 400 alumni,” said Dr. Melissa White, Program Director of the Emory EM Residency and an alumna of the residency. “We have been able to consistently recruit, engage, promote, and place a richly diverse residency, and while we are proud of this progress, we remain humble as we continue to listen and engage our partners to further the cause of equity and inclusion in medicine,” continued Dr. White.
When Dr. Arthur Kellermann founded the academic department in 1999, he intentionally recruited outstanding Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM) and female faculty including Drs. Sheryl Heron, Kate Heilpern, Leon Haley, and Tammie Quest, who have since attained international and national recognition as leading experts in Emergency Medicine. Dr. Philip Shayne was also recruited by Dr. Kellermann and served as the Residency Program Director for 17 years. He oversaw the department’s thoughtful recruitment of diverse residents in partnership with Dr. Heron who served as his Assistant/Associate Residency Director for 13 of those years. “With Dr. David Wright as Chair and the leadership team, we will continue championing equitable, humane environments and inclusive recruitment in our residency and fellowships that encourage individual and team growth,” said Dr. Shayne.
Emory EM is active locally, nationally, and internationally in a quest to encourage diversity and equity in medicine, and eliminate healthcare disparities. We demonstrate commitment to a diverse faculty, residency, fellowship, and team through service at Grady Memorial Hospital and initiatives such as the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee; the Minority Men’s Group; Women in Emergency Medicine Promoting Wellness, Research, Diversity, and Professional Development; the Emory Revisited Dinner; Advocacy program; the mentoring of URiM students by many faculty including Dr. Anika Backster, Dr. Nicole Franks, Dr. Sheryl Heron, Dr. Elizabeth Iledere, Dr. Michelle Lall, and Dr. Anwar Osborne; and our collaboration with the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). The more than two decades of collaboration with MSM resulted in a recent publication noting the value of partnership with a historically black college and university to advance diversity in Emergency Medicine. We are incredibly thankful for our close relationship with the Morehouse School of Medicine and will continue to recruit diverse learners to ensure we deliver healthcare that is equitable, cross-cultural and addressing health inequalities to improve outcomes for our patients in Georgia and globally.
Emory’s Department of Emergency Medicine also recognizes the contributions of our early faculty members that have helped chart the course. Dr. Arthur Yancey retired in 2019 and served Emory University’s School of Medicine (SOM) and the community for over 25 years. He earned the Emory SOM Lifetime Service Award for his distinguished service to the EMS community, medical student education, medical direction, and our Atlanta community including the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.
We translate our passion for equity, diversity and inclusion through our roles in organizations including Next Generation Men & Women, Sullivan Alliance, National Medical Association, American College of Emergency Physician's Diversity Inclusion and Health Equity Committee, Academy for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Medicine, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group with Medicins sans Frontieres (aka Doctors without borders) Japan, and the Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine (AWAEM).
“Emergency Medicine at Emory University is proud of the work we are doing to foster inclusivity and increase recruitment and retention of diverse underrepresented residents, fellows, faculty members, and team members,” said Emergency Medicine Chair David Wright, MD. “With a diverse and inclusive team, we can communicate better with our diverse patients, address disparities, recognize the need for disability accommodations, initiate research and publish findings to improve patient outcomes for vulnerable communities, and provide the best care possible for our all of our patient populations. We are honored to receive the inaugural ACGME Diversity and Inclusion Award,” continued Dr. Wright.
Diversity & Inclusion Statement
The Department of Emergency Medicine is a diverse and inclusive group that pledges to continue working for a society that condemns racism and cherishes diversity
The Emory University Department of Emergency Medicine is a diverse and inclusive group whose foundation is grounded in diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. As has been noted in the statements by President Sterk, Dr. Jon Lewin, Dr. Vikas Sukhatme, and Dr. Carolyn Meltzer, SAEM, ADIEM, and many more, this has been an incredibly difficult and trying time in our country. We stand together as allies to support our brothers and sisters of color who have experienced racism and hate at a time when people of color are suffering the most from COVID-19. We are in full support of the statement from SAEM/ADIEM (SAEM/ADIEM) that was released on the death of Mr. George Floyd.
We support our brothers and sisters who have recorded their stories to shine light on racism, police violence, and the injustices that have occurred in our country. Thank you to Emory EM Drs. Chowa, Gipson, Mack, Gaines, Beecher, Goines, and Smith for courageously sharing their UntoldStories with all of us. You can hear their stories on YouTube by linking here.
Thank you also to Emory EM Drs. Abazaid, Disbrow, Egbebike, Ford, Lewis, Osborne, and Watts for the stories in Allofthetime. You can listen to them on YouTube by linking here.
Grounded in our collective responsibility in education, discovery and innovation, leadership and service, our Department pledges with a renewed sense of purpose to fight for a society that condemns racism and cherishes our rich diversity. We will work together to serve as partners and allies as our community and this country begins addressing racism, inequity and social justice.
In solidarity,
David Wright, MD, Chair
Sheryl Heron, MD, MPH, Vice Chair, Faculty Equity, Engagement & Empowerment
Michelle Lall, MD, Director, Wellness, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Anika Backster, MD, Co-Chair, Emory Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Faculty, Residents, APP’s & Staff