Objective:

We will share our experience establishing a neurology department Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee broadly inclusive of faculty, housestaff, physician assistants (PAs), and administrative staff.

Background:

Responding to feedback for a need to promote healthcare equity, we brought together an integrated neurology department team to develop a shared vision toward advancing DEI across academic, research, and clinical programs.

Design/Methods:

This interdisciplinary DEI committee is comprised of faculty, housestaff, PAs, and administrative staff volunteers. This includes junior and senior faculty, a neuropsychologist, each post-graduate year level, and one fellow. We created a mission statement, developed short- and long-term goals, provided events including stakeholder studios to understand the needs/values of the department and community, all towards developing a roadmap to improve DEI.

Results:

Recognizing the importance of the DEI mission, a chair position with protected time was created for selection by the committee for appointment. Complimented by a yearly housestaff DEI Chair. Efforts were advanced through monthly meetings including: implementing a health disparities grand rounds series; additional DEI-related seminars to the housestaff curriculum and faculty professional development, including participation in the AAN anti-racism pilot. To understand “what matters”, we engaged in local community programs to integrate constructive feedback on barriers to neurologic care and facilitators to health equity. Promoting research efforts, our members have contributed to >10 publications across DEI-related and health equity areas.

Conclusions:

Embracing DEI within a neurology department is crucial for community-centered comprehensive neurologic care and cultivating a thriving training environment. Forming a neurology DEI committee created an organizational framework now embedded into the culture. We combined leadership, education, and advocacy initiatives to promote inclusivity and work towards a future of DEI throughout neurology. We hope these efforts will motivate neurology departments to establish a DEI committee to both bring awareness and promote equity within their community at large.