Current Activities/Resources
DEI Speaker Sessions
In Summer of 2024, we launched a new series of DEI Speaker Sessions. This initiative allows us to invite folks from our Washington University community (and eventually beyond!) to share their DEI-related interests with our department. Previous sessions have been on DEI in mentorship, healing relationships with those who have been harmed by research, and Addressing ableism in medicine. If you have a topic or speaker suggestion, please reach out to Kavya Singh.
DEI Listening Sessions
We regularly hold Department of Psychiatry listening sessions to answer questions and address any and all concerns related to DEI. We also use these listening sessions to get fresh perspectives on ways to further elevate DEI and especially to improve the culture and climate within our psychiatry department. If you would like to schedule a listening session, please contact us here.
We disseminate a monthly newsletter that relays information about various DEI topics and activities that are occurring across our department, campus and beyond. We also highlight DEI success stories, including accomplishments from our residents and fellows as well as groundbreaking DEI research studies and clinical case studies that have relevance for our department.
DEI Climate Survey
We conducted a DEI focused department wide survey to better understand the climate in our department and to give everyone in psychiatry an opportunity to voice their concerns and opinions about DEI.
The survey prompted us to start our DEI Listening Sessions start funding opportunities to elevate DEI research initiatives in the department.
Wellness Survey
After launching a wellness survey to our Psychiatry department, we took a deep dive into the results and have shared it with our executive council as we start to plan for how to implement the suggestions and feedback we received from our colleagues and students. We are in the process of planning a time to share the full results with our faculty and staff, along with some of our plans to help make our community feel more welcome, inclusive, and supported.
Diversity Advisors
We have convened a cohort of Diversity Advisors who have received training by the WUSM Office of DEI on effective strategies for identifying diverse candidates and addressing bias in the screening and selection processes. The Diversity Advisor are member of the faculty or staff. Specific responsibilities of the Diversity Advisor are:
- Monitor the procedures and outreach efforts of the committee
- Review the diversity of the applicant pool and group interviewed
- Compile and report relevant data to the committee and hiring authority utilizing the Diversity Advisor Checklist and Diversity Advisor Toolkit
- Assist the Hiring Authority in posting the search description in the Hiring Summary Form
For more information on the Washington University School of Medicine program, visit our WUSM Diversity Advisor Program. More information about our Department specific Diversity Advisor Program can be found on our new website. If this is of interest to you or if you have any questions, please contact Kavya Singh, Project/Program Coordinator – DEI, kavyas@wustl.edu.
Our department has zero tolerance for all types of harassment and discrimination.
We want everyone in our department to feel safe, supported, and welcome. Washington University has dedicated resources in place for our community members.
1. SAFE (preferred mechanism for initial reporting on the School of Medicine’s campus)
2. Medical Student Ombudsperson, Dr. Karen O’Malley (a confidential, neutral, informal, independent resource), Karen.ombuds@gmail.com
3. Peer Advocate Program
4. Student Health Services
5. RSVP Center
6. Title IX Coordinator
In addition, Drs. Cavazos and Navsaria and Kavya Singh are Equity Champions for our department. They are also available to you if you ever need help to speak up and/or take action when you become aware of inappropriate behavior directed toward yourself or others. You are encouraged to reach out to us at DEIpsych@email.wustl.edu or 314-362-2152.
