Health Equity

"We are dedicated to providing cutting-edge, compassionate care to our patients, conducting breakthrough research, and training the very best surgeons of tomorrow.

Central to our success is a deep and unwavering commitment to preside over a welcoming and inclusive environment where all patients and team members are respected, valued and engaged."

General Surgery Inclusion Taskforce Vision

The Department of Surgery is committed to creating an environment that values and celebrates diversity and inclusion to enhance patient-centered care. The General Surgery Health Equity Taskforce was established in 2021 as a concerted effort by residents and faculty to:

• Provide comprehensive, high-quality surgical care that enhances the well-being of the diversity San Diego community
• Educate faculty and trainees in cultural competency and health equity
• Recruit and train residents, fellows, and faculty who contribute to the diverse regional community
• Foster an inclusive and safe practice environment for the faculty and trainees

Projects in Progress

• Bi-annual DEI events with residents and faculty
• • Health equity forums
  • DEI movie night
  • Translator training
  • Journal club
• Inclusion of anonymous discrimination feedback in all faculty, resident and medical student evaluation forms
• Establishment of holistic review for residency application process
• Scholarship for visiting sub-internship
• Financial support for resident membership fees to join DEI academic surgical organizations
• Health equity-associated research for residents

Recent DEI-related Department of Surgery Grand Rounds

"The Impact and Opportunity of Inclusive Excellent: Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Cancer Clinical Trials." - Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., President and CEO of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

"Promoting Health Equity in Transplantation: From Policy Change to Xenotransplantation." - Jayme E. Locke, M.D., M.P.H. and Arnold G. Diethel, M.D., Endowed Chair of Transplantation Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham

"Navigating the Complex Journey of Surgical Equity in Rural America." - Waddah B. Al-Refaie, M.D., Chair of Surgery at Creighton University School of Medicine