At the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Department of Radiology, we are committed to creating a culture of inclusive excellence for all. Being a resident or fellow at Ohio State gives you the opportunity to not only build a strong foundation in cultural awareness, but also partnering to build the future of Radiology as one that is equitable for our workforce and inclusive and equitable for the patients we serve. One can learn more about the diversity initiatives at the Department of Radiology through IDEA-RAD, as well as at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. Below are some highlights of how trainees have the opportunity to be a key advocate in our mission.
Residents and fellows can join this group, advocating for gender equity, so as to provide a supportive and collaborative atmosphere and a sense of community for our women trainees. This team of faculty and trainees meet periodically for networking and also to discuss topics such as mentorship and work-life balance with input from women faculty that are willing to share their experiences.
Participation in Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advocates (IDEA-RAD) in the OSU Department of Radiology: The mission of IDEA-RAD is to create, support and foster a culture of inclusive excellence for all individuals regardless of age, race, gender, culture, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. Residents and fellows are very active members of this group, serving as leaders for multiple projects. There are four taskforces in this group, and of the four, two are chaired by our current DR and IR/DR residents.
Ohio State Radiology has a chapter of RadAid International, led by Chapter Chief and the Diagnostic Radiology Associate Program Director, Dr. Amna Ajam. Our Radiology Faculty have recorded lectures, that are posted through the RadAid International group, available to low and middle income countries, in order to provide education on radiology that is a critical component of reducing health care disparity.
Residents are very active in multiple ways in building the pipeline into Radiology as a subspecialty of choice. Residents have participated in the Health Education and Development Services for Underprivileged Populations (HEADS UP) program, delivering educational content about the field of Radiology to high school students. Residents have also participated in various recruitment fairs, such as SNMA and LMSA, to share their experience in the field, and to provide education on their experience as an applicant and subsequent trainee in the Ohio State Radiology Residency programs. Residents have also taken the lead in formalizing cultural competency curriculum for our department.
Trainees can join in medical center wide employee resource groups, which are employee led groups that foster an environment of a diverse, inclusive workplace.
In addition to mentorship and networking events, IDEA-RAD coordinates events throughout the year aimed to educate on topics important to diversity and inclusion within the field of Radiology. Examples of past events include reducing implicit bias in healthcare, and an Advocates and Aallies event for male faculty members aimed at recognizing and mitigating the effects of gender discrimination. Upcoming planned events include:
Care of the Transgender Patient
Cohosted by IDEA-RAD and Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) Radiology Department with approximately 80 registrants from OSU radiology and NCH radiology. The talk was a two part session which included a didactic lecture presented by Dr. Andrew Keaster (Internal Medicine Physican and Co-founder of Ohio State’s Transgender Primary Care Clinic) followed by an audio patient experience facilitated by Dr. Leah Braswell (Pediatric Intervention Radiologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital). Following is a video and transcript to the event:
Choosing Diagnostic Radiology/Intervention Radiology as a Career and Subspecialty Pathway Options:
Radiology career event for Ohio State medial students co-sponsored by IDEA-RAD, OSU Women in Radiology and OSU Radiology Interest Group. The event was an overview of all radiology subspecialties by an all women radiology panel moderated by Dr. Zarine Shah followed by Q&A session. Approximately 58 medical students attended the event. Following is a video and transcript to the event:
November 10 DRIG transcript (PDF)
There are many ways in which the Department of Radiology at Ohio State works towards fostering a diverse and inclusive atmosphere for its trainees and all other members, and works towards promoting a climate of equity for the patients we serve. To view updates on programming, initiatives and other updates, review our newsletters on the IDEA-RAD website.