Medical Education Racism and Bias Initiative (RBI)
2023-24 Projects
We’re All In!
Guiding coalition has launched over 30 unique change targets across all functional areas of the medical school to support the vision to become a health system and health professions school with the most diverse workforce, providing health care and education that is free of racism and bias.
Since 2018, the Racism and Bias Initiative’s (RBI) guiding coalition has launched over 30 unique change targets across all functional areas of the medical school to support the vision to become a health system and health professions school with the most diverse workforce, providing health care and education that is free of racism and bias.
This year we are trying something new by offering a range of opportunities for the medical school community to get more involved.
Ways to get involved
Become a Member of the Guiding Coalition
If you would like to become a member of the guiding coalition, you can sign up and learn more about the role and commitment.
Participate in Mini Projects
If the guiding coalition isn’t your thing, check out the 20232024 mini projects that range in topics and time commitment.
Co-facilitating Chats for Change across Mount Sinai
WHO CAN SIGN UP Staff,
Faculty, and Students
DURATION
Seasonal schedule starting in the fall.
Fall (September - November)
Winter (December - February)
Spring (March - May)
Summer (June - August)
HOURS PER MONTH
Depends on availability and interest; at least one topic per season (3 hours content/prep and 1 hour co-facilitation).
POINT PERSON
Leona Hess, PhD
WORK WITH
Chats for change master facilitators and Sinai Chats for Change attendees
The idea of Chats for Change was developed in response to medical education staff and medical students who wanted dedicated time to engage in a dialogue as a community to deepen their understanding and ability to address racism. During the hour-long weekly dialogue, attendees explore key concepts related to
racism and bias and uncover who they are in relation to others. Even though the dialogue is structured, the expectation is for attendees to draw from their own lived perspectives and listen for deeper understanding and insight in order to make sound action moving forward.
TASKS/ROLE
· Work with Chats for Change master facilitators to develop new topics and content
· Co-facilitate Chats for Change after receiving training certificate Promote the sessions widely
NOTE
Staff, faculty, and students are encouraged to attend Chats for Change. For the detailed Chats for Change schedule, visit Change Now.
Enhancing Your Anti-racist Skills at Work
WHO CAN SIGN UP Medical Education Staff
DURATION
Once a month; starting in September 2023 - September 2024 (You do not need to commit to attend all learning labs.)
HOURS PER MONTH
1 hour learning lab (workshop) and application (performed during regular work functions)
POINT PERSON
Leona Hess, PhD
WORK
WITH
Learning lab attendees and colleagues/teams
Although the RBI has change targets specific to all of the functional areas of the medical school, there is a request from staff to become more intentional about integrating anti-racist practices into their day-to-day work. For example, how do we as staff apply key concepts (e.g., equity, inclusion, anti-racism, etc.) to our work tasks? How do we engage in focused and sustained action as part of our job function to address racism and all -isms in our work and learning environments? How can our job roles change institutional practices that have racist effects? How do we do “the work” at work without creating more work?
TASKS/ROLE
· Attend monthly learning labs
· Apply what you have learned during regular work tasks
Report back to the learning lab community of practice
Setting Direction for Change in The Medical School
WHO CAN SIGN UP
Staff, Faculty, Students
DURATION
October 2023 - January 2024
HOURS PER MONTH
3 hours
POINT PERSON
Leona Hess, PhD
WORK WITH Medical Education
Guiding Coalition
The RBI’s guiding coalition is responsible for setting direction for transformational change to address racism and bias in the department. Members oversee the change targets or actions, identify options and make decisions about where energy and resources should be focused, determine how to hold people accountable, and manage resistance, as well as muster support, buy-in and resources from stakeholders across the medical school. In October 2023, the guiding coalition will begin the annual process of assessing what is working and what needs to be course corrected to develop the 2024 change targets.
TASKS/ROLE
· Attend monthly guiding coalition meetings (1 hour)
Work with guiding coalition sphere members to assess and develop 2024 change targets
· Share 2024 change targets with your teams/colleagues
Supporting the Clinical Sphere
WHO CAN SIGN UP
Faculty, Staff, Students
DURATION
September 2023 - August 2024
HOURS PER MONTH
1-3 hour
POINT PERSON
David Muller, MD
WORK WITH Diversity Vice Chair Chats for Change facilitators
Mt. Sinai Health Partners
Chats for Change is a series of weekly dialogues that present topics in racism and bias for reflection, discussion, and learning. Chats for Change is built on the notion that to respond to racism and be anti-racist we must engage in dialogue, learning, and action. For this opportunity to be more widespread and made aware of, assistance is needed to consolidate all Chats for Change topics for better accessibility. In addition, we need to come up with next steps to further support other clinical departments.
TASKS/ROLE
· Create a document that makes all the C4C topics easily accessible and searchable
Assist in implementing change for future targets
· Compile a resource list of each department’s involvement against racism and bias
Becoming a Trauma-informed Medical School
WHO CAN SIGN UP
Faculty, Staff, Students
DURATION
September 2023 - August 2024
HOURS PER MONTH
1-3 hours
POINT PERSON
Ann Gel Palermo
WORK WITH SLC
The School-wide Sphere team is interested in learning best or promising practices/models for a rapid response trauma informed team that would activate after a traumatic event takes place. In order to do so, enhancing capacity among senior medical education leaders to integrate anti-racist practices, such as a trauma-informed lens, into departmental priorities and daily business practices is crucial. Some trauma practices/models to consider are: What does it look like, who are the members of the team and which functional shops do they represent, what is the protocol for activation before, during, and afterwards?
TASKS/ROLE
· Communicate with SLC regarding strategic priorities to include a focus on becoming trauma informed Coordinate and project manage the process to implement trauma-informed initiatives
Establishing a Sustainable Connection: Strengthening the Bond between Undergraduate Pre-Health Student Affinity Groups and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
WHO CAN SIGN UP Faculty,
DURATION
Staff, Students
September 2023 - May 2024
HOURS PER MONTH
1-3 hours
POINT PERSONS
Valerie Parkas, MD
Jessica Maysonet
Talia Swartz, MD, PhD
WORK WITH
Undergraduate Pre-Health Student Affinity Groups
The Admissions Team aims to strengthen the bonds between pre-health student affinity groups and the Icahn School of Medicine. Through this project, the goal is to build relationships, mentor programs, campus visits, and provide collaborative events to undergraduate students. These students are from historically excluded groups who are interested in pursuing medical careers, promote diversity in healthcare, and create a nurturing environment that fosters success. In order to do so, assistance in research, outreach, workshops, and support involved with this project is needed.
TASKS/ROLE
Research and connect with students from student affinity groups that share interest with our mission
· Coordinate mentorship programs and meetings between students and mentors from Icahn School of Medicine
Develop and support students with professional development, awareness to promote diversity, and long term resources that help them overcome barriers and achieve success
Organizing and Disseminating Anti-racism Resources
W HO CAN SIGN UP
Staff
DURATION
September 2023 - May 2024
HOURS PER MONTH
1 hour
POINT PERSONS
Chloe Martin, MSW
Pete Zweig, MPAWORK WITH Guiding Coalition members and all Med Ed Staff
Through our journey at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, we have identified and created areas to accomplish our mission to undo racism and bias in academic medicine. To integrate anti-racism and anti-bias initiatives, it is important to share how other colleagues are combating racism and bias in the office. By working with members of the Guiding Coalition, present resources that could be beneficial to everyone who is interested.
TASKS/ROLE
Gather resources and appropriate citation from colleagues in Guiding Coalition
· Organize and present the materials on Change Now
Communicate and notify interested Med Ed staff about these available resources
Storytelling Student Observations of Racism on the Wards
Faculty, Staff, Students
DURATION
Fall (September - November 2023)
Winter (December - February 2023),
Spring (March - May 2024)
HOURS PER MONTH
1-3 hours
POINT PERSON
Teddy (Horatio) Holzer, MD
WORK WITH
Curricular Affairs
The Office of Curricular Affairs has implemented antiracist clinical skills sessions in several clerkships. Students observe and post about observations of racism and bias that impact their patients, and then debrief with their peers near the end of the clerkship. The sessions have been expanded to three clerkships over 2+ years and the sum of the posts holds a powerful story... if you can help us tell it!
TASKS/ROLE
· Review, analyze, categorize, Padlet posts
· Identify a medium to share a summary of the data with the communit
changenow.icahn.mssm.edu
CAN SIGN UP
WHO