Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council

The Department of Surgery strives to dismantle systemic racism, eliminate healthcare disparities, and promote health equity in our work. Racism and intolerance have no place in our community. We celebrate our multitude of intersecting identities and commit to the ongoing effort of creating an inclusive and supportive workplace climate.

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council exists to intentionally identify, address, and innovate on DEI concerns and initiatives. A goal of the UW Department of Surgery is to engage in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work for the benefit of all faculty, staff, and trainees.  This not only helps us as surgeons, academicians, and people, but this benefit extends to our patients, and the community at large.  

The Department’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council strives to build an environment where applicants for faculty or trainee positions can see the cultural competency of our staff in their work with teaching, interviewing, when conducting research, and when taking care of patients. We are indeed fortunate to have the commitment, passion, and guidance of our Chair,
Dr. Douglas Wood, who has set the strategic goals for the Council as:

1) Establish and report on best practices on diversity and inclusion in the department;
2) Work with divisional leadership to assure the promotion of diversity;
3) Examine departmental composition and advancement to provide advice regarding recruitment and retention along with actions that assure that all members of the department have the opportunity to advance;
4) Develop programs, workshops, strategies, curriculum, and activities, as well as interface with other UW programs, to support diversity;

The Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Council strives to build a culture of diversity and inclusion that isn’t just about accomplishing one project after another, but rather encouraging a daily look within to assess what each of us is doing to build inclusion, and ensuring that diversity and inclusion becomes a conscious a part of our thinking.