Faculty Diversity and Inclusion at CUIMC
Introduction
The Columbia University Irving Medical Center strongly supports the diversity of its faculty. We at CUIMC believe that excellence, diversity and inclusivity are inextricably linked, and that different experiences, perspectives and values are essential elements that enrich every dimension of our work. A diverse faculty facilitates culturally competent medical education and clinical care, and also brings important and different perspectives to the research agenda.
Over the last decade, the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons leadership has worked with the advice and feedback from faculty to create an academic environment that supports the success and satisfaction of faculty in every career path. A consistent and critical process for creating this environment has been partnerships with consultative, advisory and focus groups representative of all our faculty, tenured and non-tenured, women and men. We believe that world-class researchers, expert clinicians and innovative educators are all required to maintain our pre-eminence in medicine, and all should have a voice in helping us to shape the culture and climate of our work environment.
Action Items
We maintain our commitment to diversity and inclusion through the following initiatives:
Dean’s Advisory Committees for Women and Diverse Faculty
In April 2018, two Dean’s Advisory Committees (one representing women and one representing diverse faculty) were appointed to assess the current environment for women and diverse faculty, to identify gaps and opportunities for improved career satisfaction and success, and to make recommendations to further advance equity, success, recognition, and satisfaction for women and diverse faculty at CUIMC.
Based on this review, several general needs were identified by both committees including the following:
- Increased outreach for women and diverse faculty, particularly at early career stages, administered by a dedicated office to enhance mentorship/sponsorship and career development information
- Continued financial support and recognition of women and diverse faculty who contribute to the diversity goals of the University through research, teaching, and mentoring activities
- Early academic career development support to women and diverse trainees as pipelines for new faculty, and enhancement of onboarding of women and diverse faculty
- Continuing review of salary equity across all departments
- Increased transparency of school-wide processes for searches, promotions, honors and awards, appointments to key leadership, and to decision-making committees
The VP&S Office of Women and Diverse Faculty
The VP&S Office for Women and Diverse Faculty was formed at the recommendation of the 2019 Report and Recommendations from the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Dean’s Advisory Committees for Women Faculty and CUIMC Faculty Diversity, and Inclusion. The work of this office is to provide targeted outreach and resources to faculty including peer mentorship groups, career guidance, and coaching for women and diverse faculty across various career paths. Additionally, the office works to engage the larger VP&S community to promote a culture of equity and respect.
Faculty Advisory Deans
The Faculty Advisory Deans are highly accomplished senior faculty who provide career guidance, resources and information to faculty in each academic track with an emphasis on the needs of women and diverse faculty.
CUIMC joins the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Action Collaborative on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education
In 2019, CUIMC joined with the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine and the Association of American Medical Colleges in its commitment to advancing gender equity, with specific regard to the representation of women in its workforce, promotion opportunities, salary equity, authorship in high-impact journals, service on editorial boards and recognition of professional achievements.
- Increased implicit bias training for all departments, for key decision-making committees, and for all search committees
- Regular departmental diversity update reports, including information on metrics measuring the inclusion of women and diverse faculty that would be posted online
- Additional programming to focus on mentoring/sponsorship/coaching and leadership opportunities, with attention to faculty who are re-entering the full-time workforce after a period of family workload accommodation or who are interested in making a career transition to leadership positions
- Enhancement of work/life services
Recruitment and Retention of Diverse Faculty
The Office of the Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine manages a number of competitive RFP processes that aim to foster, retain, and recruit diverse faculty at CUIMC. Through small grants programs for junior faculty who contribute to the diversity goals of the university and faculty recruitments for underrepresented groups, CUIMC provides support to departments and schools to advance the recruitment and retention of outstanding minority and women scholars throughout the medical center.
Diversity and Inclusion Programs and Lectures
The CUIMC Office for Faculty Professional Development, Diversity & inclusion offers resources, programs, and mentoring opportunities that aim to support the needs of its diverse faculty. It also partners with other offices, including the CUIMC Diversity Deans, Columbia University Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Work/Life, to offer special lectures, professional development programs, resources and networking opportunities.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Office of Faculty Professional Development, Diversity & Inclusion, with the Virginia Kneeland Frantz Society for Women Faculty provide funds to partially cover the registration costs of full-time VP&S faculty members who participate in the Association of American Medical Colleges professional development seminars for women and minority faculty. Faculty must contact the Office of Academic Affairs prior to applying to the seminars in order to take advantage of these opportunities. Please see below for details.
Kenneth A. Forde Diversity Alliance
Under the VP&S Office of Diversity and Minority Affairs, the Kenneth A. Forde Diversity Alliance was established in 2014 to bring together minority medical students, resident physicians, fellows, graduate students, faculty, research scientists and allies across the Columbia University Medical Center. With the aim of empowering the diverse community at CUIMC, KAFDA seeks to develop networking opportunities, promote diversity awareness, foster mentoring relationships, provide community service and leadership development opportunities.
Virginia Kneeland Frantz Society for Women Faculty
The Virginia Kneeland Frantz Society for Women Faculty is a society for women faculty of all ranks in the health sciences at CUIMC. It’s mission is to serve, support, and celebrate the advancement of careers of women at all ranks in the health sciences and medicine at CUIMC.
CUIMC Office of Professionalism
The goal of the CUIMC Office of Professionalism is to create a culture and climate of teamwork, community, acceptance, respect, ethics, excellence, equity, and trust across the medical center.
For more information, please email: Office_Acad_Affairs@cumc.columbia.edu.