We strive to be a centre of excellence in patient care, education, research, and innovation, and are committed to embracing and embodying equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Our Department values an equitable and accessible environment and seeks to identify and mitigate systemic barriers for patients, staff, and trainees.
Striving for excellence requires the collaboration of individual members with diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, ideas, physical abilities, and other visible and nonvisible expressions of diversity. Furthermore, the Department seeks to foster an inclusive environment that encompasses the broader University community and the patients we serve. The Department recognizes that promoting EDI will require continuous work and intentional change and commits to ensuring that its members receive education to promote ongoing dialogue and engagement.
The Department has an obligation not only to recognize differences, but also to accommodate them. This applies to things like visible and invisible disabilities, non-standard holidays, ceremonial clothing, etc.
Statement – The University of British Columbia Department of Radiology Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Appointments and Promotions
The Department recognizes the importance of EDI in selection and promotion and reaffirms its commitment with emphasis on ensuring equal opportunity. Selection committees are diverse, recognizing that this may require restructuring of existing committees. Applicants are required to submit an EDI statement and all leadership appointments and selections are with consultation with the members of EDI committee. First time aspirants and applicants are considered equally with those who hold leadership roles within the radiology community. Intentional recruitment of applicants with a wide range of experience is encouraged.
There is intentional assessment of real or perceived disparate treatment and such disparities will be addressed. Physicians from minority and underrepresented groups are encouraged and supported to apply for leadership roles in radiology and at the university.
Patient Care
The Department recognizes its role in providing care to the increasingly diverse British Columbia patient population. The Department aims to undertake patient care in an equitable manner, and where barriers are identified, the Department seeks to mitigate these inequities.
Education
The Department is responsible for teaching a diverse community of trainees at all levels. The Department is committed to ensuring an equitable and inclusive learning environment that fosters discovery, advancement, accomplishment and educational success to achieve the full potential of its trainees. The Department invests in improved access to coursework and scholarship in EDI for trainees and faculty members alike. Selection committees are diverse, which may require intentional restructuring, and intentional recruitment of applicants with a wide range of experience is encouraged.
Research and Innovation
The Department strives to ensure that its research and innovation endeavours will be broadly beneficial to populations across British Columbia, Canada and internationally. The Department works to ensure equal opportunities for its members to participate in scholarly activities, including equitable access to funding opportunities and career advancement. In addition, the Department leadership ensures all investments and funding decisions in research are made and supported through a diversity of opinions and an inclusive lens. The Department’s commitments are reflected in policies, procedures, and decision-making.
These aforementioned commitments further find expression in the UBC President’s Statement on Racism and Injustice , the UBC Equity and Inclusion Office, the Faculty of Medicine Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and are predicated on the British Columbia Human Rights code. Collectively, these commitments ensure that the UBC Department of Radiology upholds these ideals and remains a centre of excellence in patient care, research and education.
Appendices
- CIHR Equity Strategy
- UBC President’s Statement on Racism and Injustice
- UBC Equity and Inclusion Office
- The Faculty of Medicine Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
- British Columbia Human Rights Code
References
Canadian Association of Radiologists Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion statement
Dr. Charlotte Yong-Hing, Co-Vice Chair, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
A commitment to diversity does not mean eliminating differences among individuals or groups or pretending that they do not exist. A true commitment to diversity means respecting and celebrating such differences. I believe the UBC Radiology Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee has the opportunity to strengthen UBC Radiology to better meet the needs of our increasingly diverse patient population. I am honoured to work with this group of inspiring and dedicated Radiologists towards improved work environments and better health equity.
Dr. Faisal Khosa, Co-Vice Chair, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
Through lived experience as a racialized minority I have come to believe in the edict of Martin Luther King “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends” and the words of Elie Wiesel “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented…”
Dr. Jonathon Leipsic
I am honoured to be a part of this incredibly important committee. From a personal perspective as a grandchild of refugees and who lost family in the Shoah ensuring that our department is an inclusive, diverse and safe space is fundamentally important. I am grateful to learn from others on the committee from their stories and working tirelessly to help co-create a more just and inclusive department.
Dr. Maura Brown
I was motivated to join the Radiology EDI committee by my experience as a female radiologist who at times struggled with the balance of being a Radiologist, a mother, a wife and a daughter. I understand the toll it takes on an individual to wear so many hats, all of which require time, commitment and responsibility. I look forward to working on initiatives acknowledging this and working towards a fair, compassionate and equitable workplace for all.
Dr. Brenda Farnquist
My name is Brenda Farnquist and I work in Kelowna at Kelowna General Hospital. I wanted to join the EDI committee, as I believe in forwarding this very important initiative. I recognize that radiology is not inclusive, diverse or equitable, And I want to take part in developing an environment that identifies barriers and provides strategies for all members of the radiology community to have equal opportunities in their careers, access to leadership and research.
Dr. Sharon Gershony
I work at VGH and UBCH in Abdominal Imaging and I want to be a member of this incredible EDI committee to enhance diversity in all its facets across the UBC department of Radiology, to develop leadership opportunities for those who have been previously under represented and to make the department a more inclusive place to work and thrive.
Dr. Kevin Ibach
Equitable organizations respect the needs, outlooks, and the promise of all their members. As part of the LGBTIA2+ community, I am happy to represent an invisible minority (perhaps not so much in my case ☺) on this important committee. Education empowers.
Dr. Blake Jamieson
As a physician in a wheelchair I have a unique perspective on Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity in the workplace. Understanding firsthand the challenges that face physicians with a physical disability I am passionate about not only continuing but also improving upon the existing legacies of accessibility (and by extension Equity and Inclusivity) within the UBC Department of Radiology.
Dr. Corree Laule
I was motivated to join the Radiology EDI Committee by my experiences as a woman, an immigrant whose first language is not English, and a first generation university attendee training and working in the primarily male dominated discipline of MR physics. I look forward to working with everyone to actively improve EDI in medical research and science in our department and beyond.
Dr. Elaine Ni Mhurchu
I am a Radiologist at BC Cancer. I am delighted to be part of this EDI committee. As a woman and also someone who trained overseas I have experience of another system with its own challenges; some similar, some different. I would love to see more women choosing radiology as a career path.
This committee is filled with inspiring people who are aware of human and systemic bias. I am hopeful that I can help to disseminate this awareness. A diverse and equitable work place will have benefits for all, including patient care which is ultimately the goal we are all united in.
Dr. Talia Vertinsky
I have worked at Vancouver General Hospital since 2007 in Neuroradiology and I am a clinical associate professor in Radiology at UBC. Over my years of training and practice I have seen an important shift in medicine to become more self reflective and to recognize psychosocial aspects that influence our practice. I joined the EDI committee because I believe that equity, diversity and inclusion are the foundation of a rich learning environment, sensitive and effective patient care and advancement of the practice of medicine. We have come a long way over the past years but we have a long way to go and I am dedicated to work in a collaborative process toward a vision of a truly healthy health care system that is accessible and effective for all.
Dr. Wan Wan Yap
I was raised to believe I could achieve anything I put my mind to. As a woman and a visible minority, I’ve found that the reality is not as straightforward. Although I have not personally experienced overt discrimination as a physician, many women in medicine witness microaggressions, implicit bias, and forms of casual discrimination in higher education and the workplace. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of a committee that will help develop intersectional solutions to discrimination in medicine and shift attitudes around equality for the betterment of future generations.
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