Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Updates

The Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, launched in 2019, provides outreach, education, and accreditation information and support to the graduate medical community and to the ACGME Board and Administration toward the critical goals of increasing diversity and equity in medicine and eliminating health care disparities in the United States. The leaders and staff of the department work toward these goals daily, and the updates provided on this page summarize much of those efforts. In response to inquiries, concerns, and developments in society, medicine at large, and public health, the department shares these updates in part to assure the community of the ongoing work underway to address these issues. Direct questions or comments to Diversity@acgme.org.

Outreach

• Barbara Ross-Lee, DO Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award The ACGME Diversity and Inclusion Award is now the Barbara Ross-Lee, DO Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award in honor of Dr. Ross-Lee’s illustrious career, contributions to graduate medical education (GME), and expertise on health policy. Read more about Dr. Ross-Lee. This award recognizes efforts to achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion in the graduate medical education (GME) community. This award celebrates initiatives in which diverse learners are developed, diverse faculties are constructed, and the GME community embraces differences and highlights them as examples of what is achievable. The award recognizes ACGME-accredited Sponsoring Institutions and programs, as well as specialty organizations working to diversify the underrepresented physician workforce and create inclusive workplaces that foster humane, civil, and equitable environments. Learn more about the award.
  
  
• Upcoming Talks, Presentations, Lectures, and other Speaking Engagements
  Over the last year, Drs. McDade and Simpson Mason spoke on panels, at conferences and meetings, to specialty societies and other national organizations, and in numerous other presentations and interviews. In 2020, they spoke at a combined 65 total venues, with another 23 engagements canceled or rescheduled due to COVID-19 disruptions.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officers Forum
  The department holds monthly calls with leaders in diversity, equity, and inclusion from across the country. Dates for future calls and contact information to sign up and RSVP are noted on the right-hand side of this page.

 

Education

In addition to presentations and conference sessions, the Department oversees the development and implementation of numerous educational activities and programs, both internally at the ACGME and externally for the GME community.

• Internal Activities
  • In partnership with ACGME Human Resources, the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion helped launch a Heritage Month program, through which speakers and resources will be provided to ACGME staff members in conjunction with recognized focus areas monthly. This program began with 2021’s Black History Month, and has included a speaker series and presentation of the film "Black Men in White Coats," followed by a Q and A session with Dr. McDade, who is part of the film. The documentary is aimed at increasing the number of black men in the field of medicine by exposure, inspiration, and mentoring.
• External Opportunities
  • The ACGME is excited to announce ACGME Equity Matters^TM, a comprehensive education and training curriculum.
  • In the profound new podcast and video series, Conversations at the Crossroads, Dr. Bonnie Simpson Mason and colleagues will speak from and with different perspectives to build the understanding and mutual respect essential to the dismantling of barriers to equity in medicine. Conversations will feature ACGME leaders and experts representing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Physician Well-Being, Accreditation, Assessment, and more, as well as experts and key voices from across the country. Stay tuned for the announcement of this series’ availability!

 

Accreditation

The ACGME’s Common Program Requirements address diversity, equity, and inclusion and expectations for Sponsoring Institutions and programs.

• Section I.C. Addresses recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• Requirement II.A.4.a).10. specifies the need for program directors to cultivate an environment in which residents and fellows can raise concerns and provide feedback without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
• Section V begins to address evaluation and asks programs to collect data on ultimate board certification rates of its graduates, with the intent of decreasing reliance on first time pass rates as a measure of excellence.
• Requirement VI.B.6. states that programs and Sponsoring Institutions must provide a professional, and respectful environment free from discrimination, harassment, mistreatment, abuse, or coercion.

To report non-compliance with these or any requirements, the ACGME’s concerns and complaints resources are available. Learn about how to submit concerns and complaints.

*Note: In its role as an accreditor, the ACGME is not able to share details about ongoing investigations or communications with accredited programs and institutions. The organization follows a comprehensive process to review compliance with all of its requirements.