Committee Mission
Emory University’s Division of Physical Therapy Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is a group of faculty and staff working strategically to promote an intentional culture of diversity, inclusivity, and equity for faculty, staff, and students of the Emory DPT program. The mission of the committee is to foster an inclusive environment that reflects the dynamic world and populations around us.
Committee Goals
- Foster an inclusive culture of learning, dialogue and professionalism
- Provide recommendations and resources to the educational curricula to build awareness of relevant social, societal, and structural issues in the health of populations
- Develop faculty and staff awareness with respect to issues of DEI, and foster a culture of mentorship, and allyship of underrepresented minority learners.
- Build and assess initiatives for equitable workplace opportunity and professional development for faculty and staff.
- Provide recommendations for program growth initiatives as they relate to outreach, student admissions, research activities, faculty, and staff recruitment, hiring practices, and retention.
- Engage with university and community partners to advise and inform the program about social, cultural, and professional issues and needs.
DEI Committee
Sarah Caston, PT, DPT - Chair
Assistant Professor
Assistant Director of Clinical Education
Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist
Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
Division of Physical Therapy
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Ella Pollard - Co Chair
Program Coordinator/Residency Coordinator
Division of Physical Therapy
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
DEI Newsletter by the Student DEI Committee
Diversity Equity Inclusion Leadership and Advocacy (DEILA) Program
The Emory DPT Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership and Advocacy (DEILA) Program is a novel program which would teach participants to address these barriers, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue on topics of justice, compassion, perseverance, equity, leadership and advocacy. The program will have an intentional focus for developing DPT student leaders, providing them with education and opportunities for professional development. The DEILA Program is a 12-month program consisting of monthly sessions combining educational content with structured small group discussions facilitated by faculty, staff, guest-speakers and student leaders. The program is open to DPT I students.
Leadership in Color
The leadership in color program invites minority leaders in the PT profession to the classroom. The leaders share their critical experiences related to their professional formation. Developed by Dr. Peter Sprague along with DPT students Budget Ochuko and Eze Otiwu, the program is designed to meet three objectives, allowing DPT students to identify with leaders in the PT profession, providing a possible avenue for formal mentorship and a “planting of the seeds” that will motivate URM students to become future leaders in the profession.
The Division of Physical Therapy firmly adheres to Emory University’s anti-discrimination policy.
Resources
Health Equity Day, 2022
Keynote | Narrative Session | Outstanding Scientific Citation | Featured Sessions |
Office of Multicultural Affairs
OMA Statement
Emory University School of Medicine created the Office of Multicultural Affairs in 1986 to increase minority representation in medicine and biomedical research. In 2019, the office changed its name to the Office of Multicultural Affairs to be more inclusive of all School of Medicine learners. The Office of Multicultural Affairs is an integral part of the School of Medicine’s educational mission and diversity and inclusion strategic vision.
The Office provides programs to support the development and matriculation of diverse learners, including medical students, health professions students, Graduate Medical Education trainees (residents and fellows), and K-12 students interested in health professions. Learn more about the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
For further inquiries, please contact:
Vanessa Fleites, PhD (she/her)
Assistant Director for Learner Diversity Programs, Academic Health