Vision Statement: The Department of Anesthesiology will foster a fair, just, and inclusive environment where clinical, educational and scholarly excellence is maintained by recruiting, supporting, retaining, promoting and maximizing the talents of a diverse group of individuals.
Mission: Our commitment to advancing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion includes four key pillars:
Maintaining a commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion means providing opportunities to learn new strategies and skills that equip staff, trainees and faculty with tools to provide equitable care to all. Grand Rounds lectures consist of content experts from around the country that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion and highlight core diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) trainings relevant to race, gender identity and expression, age and other key areas.
DEI training offerings:
The Department of Anesthesiology recognizes the importance of recruiting and training a workforce that reflects the diversity of our patient population in North Carolina. Recruitment efforts include our annual Diversity Weekend that gives Anesthesiology applicants an opportunity to meet with institutional leaders, meet potential mentors and learn about the rich cultural history of Winston-Salem, NC, and its surrounding areas.
Through institutional and departmental mentoring, Anesthesiology residents from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to learn from faculty and hone their inclusive practice skills.
Mentorship and Development offerings:
A vital tenet of the department’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion mission is advocacy for representation in Anesthesiology, specifically for marginalized, underrepresented and underserved groups. As a department, we work on various programs and engagement opportunities to highlight careers in Anesthesiology and medicine for those who may not, otherwise, have access to these types of enrichment programs. Our work includes mentoring and career days for local schools and community organizations, among other efforts.
The Department of Anesthesiology does extensive investigational research on pain management, pain pathways, cardiac aging, sepsis, diastolic dysfunction in menopause, alternatives to opioids, perioperative care of geriatric patients and more. Through a justice, equity, diversity and inclusion lens, our focus is on making these topics more accessible and relevant to marginalized communities to make sure they are considered in the research as well as given access to the best care. Through community presentations and informational sessions, patients and community members are made aware of various health equity projects and research studies that align with their health care goals and how to seek equitable care. In addition, our department’s trainees and faculty are involved in several health equity quality improvement projects that focus on identifying, preventing and eliminating health disparities.
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Amber K. Brooks, MD Associate Professor, Pain Medicine Co-Chair Department of Anesthesiology akbrooks@wakehealth.edu |
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Chandrika Rajan Garner, MD Clinical Associate Professor Anesthesiology Residency Assistant Program Director Co-Chair Department of Anesthesiology crgarner@wakehealth.edu |
Kids at Imprints Cares summer camp at Smith Farm Elementary School got a hands-on, up close and personal look at what it takes to be in the medical field. Students were able to travel to different stations, learning about things like surgeries, checking vital signs, anatomy and CPR.
